Argentine Racer: 1961 Cisitalia-Abarth 850 Scorpione Allemano Coupé
Pay attention, because by the end of this one I’m going to commit sacrilege. The subject today is a truly stunning 1961 Cisitalia-Abarth 850 Scorpione Allemano Coupé. This beautiful offspring of a doomed marriage of Italian design and Argentine industry is one of the many amazing automobiles up for auction on May 14 in Monte Carlo, Monaco. For more information and photos, take a look at the auction listing here on RM Sotheby’s website.
Cisitalia was a company founded on the premise, apparently common in postwar Italy, that one could make money building race cars. Founded by former racing driver and industrialist Piero Dusio, the firm attracted the talents of a host of native Italian engineers and designers as well as a trio of Austrians: Carlo Abarth, Rudolf Hruska (perhaps best known for his work at Alfa Romeo), and –last but not least– Ferry Porsche. The company focused on racing cars with smaller displacement engines, faring well with offerings like the famous 202 before costs of development on the bleeding-edge supercharged 1.5L Cisitalia Grand Prix brought the company to its knees in 1949.
When faced with utter disaster, Dusio did what many other Europeans had before him– he fled to Argentina. While his son, Carlo, took over the remains of Cisitalia in Italy, Piero set up manufacturing in South America. Thus, when the now-independent Abarth was looking for a partner to build a version of his 850 Allemano, Piero’s concern in Buenos Aires was all too happy to help fill the order. And so, the Cisitalia 850 Scorpione Allemano was born. Like the original Allemano, the Scorpione was built on a Fiat 600 foundation. The rear-mounted a 847cc inline-4 offered just 54 bhp, but, then, the car only had a curb weight of 1378 lbs. The factory claimed a 0-60 time of just under 13 seconds and a top speed of 99 mph. Best of all, the car retained the 600’s fuel-sipping ways, managing 37 miles to the American gallon.
Sadly, production of the Argentine Cisitalias would wind down in 1963. As a result, it’s estimated that fewer than 50 of these were ever made, making it unlikely that most of us will ever get to drive one. Now, here is where I’m going to get myself into trouble… because in 1965 Fiat would introduce the 850 Spider and Coupe. They’re heavier, with the Spider coming in at 1576 lbs., and maybe not quite as good looking. But it’s pretty much the same engine, with the same gearbox, better brakes (discs up front), and a gas tank that’s been moved to the rear so you’re no longer driving a zippy tinfoil missile. And, honestly, it’s hard to argue with the difference in price. Still, the little Fiat is not going to get you noticed like the Cisitalia will– one hangs out with Volkswagens, the other with Porsches. As rare as this car is, it will be very interesting to see if it beats the auction estimates next month.
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Comments
Such large gauges for such a little car. I wonder if that is a psych thing. Cool little car, doesn’t have the usual Italian steering wheel rake I don’t care for. I bet my squarebody, AutoPlace DOES NOT have that distributor cap in stock. About as close to a full size enclosed go-kart as you’re going to get. I bet it’s a fun car, and with no price listed, I’m sure I can easily afford this,,,what?
“Easy Payments”.
Let me check with my finance manager…. don’t know if we can go that low on the price. Meanwhile the salesman has a cigarette, drops a deuce and hits on the gal at the parts counter before returning to tell the customer no.
Payments, by definition, are never easy,,
bella!!!!
Beautiful but I have never rationalized the air breathing grill fastened directly to sheet metal ‘dead end’ body surface – kind of fake louvers in your face.
It is interesting that with the association of the South American builders and the famous names involved that this car will garner thousands of dollars more than the OTAS Grand Prix that is based on the same ideas, has similar few numbers produced, and similar visual appeal. A non running OTAS Grand Prix in Texas recently did NOT sell at $10,000.00 reserve with a relatively easily obtainable non-running 850 engine , and a needed investment of perhaps 20 grand more to make it perfect. This car COULD sell way north of 100 grand due to its rarity and history. It simply takes 60 grand to build a car, and who is going to make an investment based upon the value of “The Story” and rarity? Somebody will. The story of the OTAS is that of an American Dream that financially failed after about 100 units produced. This 850 based dream was similar- with bigger players involved. Its value is a matter of history, and perception. There are similar DEALS out there for beautiful cars that have HUGE history and are hugely undervalued. The MGA is one. Only recently has the value of small windowed VW bugs, and their 21 windowed brothers skyrocket. Try to find a deal on a 356 Porsche–trashed junk is unreachable in price. I am looking forward to the bidding at auction-to see the value of perception and story honored in 3D. HA! . Of course, I am biased- owning both an OTAS and an MGA. Hard to spend time on either as an investment. Instead I concentrate on finding, restoring, and enhancing parts for OTHER vehicles that already have established realistic dollar values–for economic survival that allow pursuit of my bucket lists of dreams.
Thanks for the interesting input and congratulations on your good taste. OTAS is rare indeed and also involved famous names (Stangellini or Giannini tuned the 850 engines) in an attempt to break into the US market with a version of the Lombardi Grand Prix.
Lombardi was quite successful and OTAS failed, hence its rarity. A very nice Lombardi sold in UK for about $30000. Top price (ocer $50000) would go to the Abarth 1300 Scorpione which has FIAT 124 engine as well as the Abarth badge.
These Cistilias are well-known in Europe and regarded with a bit of suspicion. It definitely isn’t regarded as an Abarth, which is why I find those auction estimates optimistics. However, anyone who likes Italian coachbuilds would buy this at the right price.
As a “foreign Car Parts” chain manager in the 80’s , I became enamored in “Abarth” giant killers. I collected and traded lot of Abarth components. At that time, PBS engineering was still afloat, and I purchased the Fiat OHV 1300 and 1438cc bell housing conversion kit to fit the reverse rotation 850 Transaxle–as well as finding a higher ratio ring and pinion for the higher HP transplant engine. I am only now reassembling all parts into my OTAS. I was fortunate to purchase many Lombardi parts that are interchangeable with the OTAS parts for the build. In memory of Carlo, I will continue to experiment with this mongrel Scorpione oneoff-wanabe with pleasure. few if any were exactly the same. There may be less than 60 known cars around.
Nothing about Abarth is clear or documented, but the Allemano (the coachbuilder, styled by Michelotti) was the softer road version of the more spartan Zagato Abarth coupés. The car was sold by Abarth (including in the USA) as the Fiat-Abarth 850. Maybe “Scorpione” was a Cistilia model name, on Abarths the Scorpione name was used on a later 1970 1300 coupé (also based on the 850 chassis, but a version of the Lombardi Grand Prix) The Argentinian Cisitalia was a spin-off which was probably a way for Abarth to get licensing income. I don´t think “Racer” came into the equation, tbh.
Because it is an Argentinian car (and yellow…) this probably won´t set the sophisticated Monaco auction crowd on fire (something “cute” can always surprise- but Abarth collectors will have no interest in this car unless cheap). The estimates seem very high and 50000€ would be more in order. This car is indeed very similar to a Fiat 850 (though based on the earlier 600), but is of a completely different level of rarity and desirability for exclusive tastes, so different price. Like the difference between a 289 Mustang and a Shelby Mustang which most US collectors would understand clearly.
Thank you for clarifying the value perception. As well as likely the group of interested buyers–although international remote bidders may enter. There is also the value of appealing coach design–in that the convertible version of this car was always the “Ugly Duckling” actually appearing similar to a ” rubber duckie” floating in a bathtub. Yet, this coupe version is actually far nicer than the convertible- and finishes the otherwise abrupt lines of the convertible .
Yes, no two Abarths alike. Similar to Italian bicycles- each its own assemblage of high branded parts. This will likely be the trend of the future, as we electrify the bodies of our dream cars for the value of show and tell.
I had a good friend that had a car very similar in convertible form; Abarth Allemano 750 Spider. With its aluminum body that car was as close to a go-cart that you could license for the street. As it has been said, It’s more fun to drive a slow car fast that it is to drive a fast car slow
f.lombardi, oats, abarth, lotus, all of them have such a sweet place in my heart (my teens & early 20s). Stripping away more’n more weight, prepin a motor smaller than many merican motorcycles – what can be better. Driving one! here in the states as a canyon carver or @ SCCA event. Too much fun, too easily had ($) to share with too many folks. I could love this “fiat karmann ghia”~
€40,250 EUR | Sold
Monaco | Monte Carlo, Monaco
Thank you for revealing the price sold for. A good compromise for all the information discussed above. STILL a “Deal” considering its rarity.
We just sub-contract- restored a phenolic IPRA Italian heater box fitting another similar rarity, a 1969 DeTomasse Vallelunga.. Again, similar limited production Italian having a Ford Cortina based engine . And- questionable valuation- even though a very nice designed body, balancing all similar considerations.