FIAT 24 HP CORSA – 1902
The first car ever to be specially designed for racing, it ran at about 100 kilometers per hour (62 mph).
Founded in 1899 in Turin, Italy, Fiat was already taking part in the earliest car races in the year 1900.
Fiat’s early success in racing events is a testament to its high engineering standards and design philosophy. The triumphs eventually created widespread popularity for the Fiat brand around the world.
Let us take you through three different periods where the Fiat sport cars made an impact in the racing scene…
Fiat participated in car racing since the earliest days of the company’s operations. 1900 to 1927 marks the first period in which Fiat participated in competitive racing. Let’s find out more about the most iconic cars and their performances in this period.
The first car ever to be specially designed for racing, it ran at about 100 kilometers per hour (62 mph).
This car gave Fiat its first victory abroad. Its max speed is 160 km/h with a power of 100 CV to 1100 rev/min.
Once more Fiat triumphs. This car has a speed of 95/100 km/h and a power of 60 CV to 1200 rev/min.
With a Fiat 110 during the Gordon Bennett Race, V. Lancia wins first place on absolute speed of 91.50 km/h.
This vehicle became famous after the challenge of Napier which took place on the English Brooklands track in June 1908. Nazzaro won with an average speed of 192 km/h, and a 18,146 CC with an output of 175 HP. The "NB-4" could easily exceed 210 km/h.
Fiat S 76 in 1911 the S76 dominated in terms of absolute speed. The powerful engine was started by an automatic air-compressed device. In 1911, on the Brooklands track, the car broke the record for the one-mile distance in 31 seconds, averaging at 195 km/h. In April 1912 in Long Island U.S.A., the same car surpassed its own record by covering a mile in 20 seconds, reaching the fantastic speed of 180 miles per hour.
Fiat S 74 in 1911 wins at the Savannah G.P. In America. The "S74" is considered a "monster" of the era, with a 14-Liter engine and a top speed of over 165 km/h and an output of 190 HP.
The 804 participated in the 1922 Grand Prix Of Italy. The top speed of this car is 170 km/h with an output of 112 HP.
The 805’s winning time was 5 hours 27 minutes and 38 seconds, with an average speed of 146.502 km/h (with the circuit's fastest run at an average speed of 159.010 km/h).
From the 30’s until the 60’s, Fiat officially stopped its participation in car racing mainly because of the war. But the desire for speed and competition didn’t stop. There were private owners that used Fiat cars to participate in some races. Let’s have a look on some of those unofficial Fiat racing cars!
CUP OF THE ALPS – 1929
CUP OF THE ALPS
CUP OF THE THREE VENICES – 1930
MILLE MIGLIA – 1937
MILLE MIGLIA – 1937
MILLE MIGLIA – 1949
RAID CAPETOWN – ALGERIA
MILLE MIGLIA – 1949
RALLY DI MONTECARLO
RALLY MONTE CARLO – 1953
Starting in 1970, Fiat officially returned to rally competitions. This period finished in 2008 with the last participation of Grand Punto 2000S. Find out more about the iconic sporty cars of this period and their main achievements.
Fiat 124 Abarth debuted in official matches in 1973. The livery has the car body donning a bright red color with the sides traversed by white bands. In September, the Fiat 124 Abarth, sporting a displacement of 1839 CC and 180 HP, participated in the rally San Martino Di Castrozza and won the second place with the Pinto-Bernacchini crew. It also won second in the world championship in 1974 at the rally of Portugal. The San Martino Di Castrozza was dominated by the Fiat 124 Abarth, seeing four cars classified in the first six places.
The Fiat 131 Abarth Rally is a fancy version of the Abarth Fiat 131 Sedan, built between 1976 and 1978 in 400 units.
The Fiat 131 Abarth Rally is a fancy version of the Abarth Fiat 131 Sedan, built between 1976 and 1978 in 400 units.
The Ritmo 125 Abarth achieved a top speed of 190 km/h (120 mph) and it could accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 8.7 seconds. It aroused much interest among the Italian and foreign press. In a famous article published on Gente Motori, the rally driver Attilio Bettega engages in an unlikely drag race against a fighter (airplane) Fiat G-91 of the Frecce Tricolori.
The Fiat x1/9 is a two-seater mid-engine sports car designed by Bertone and manufactured by Fiat from 1972-1982. With a transverse engine and gearbox in a mid-mounted, rear-wheel drive configuration, the x1/9 was noted for its excellent handling, lightweight-removable hardtop, front and rear-storage compartments, and for being designed to meet the late 1960s U.S. safety regulations. Fiat x1/9 got 3 victories at rally of the Eastern Alps, at 100.000 Trabucchi and at the Liburna Cup.
The Ottimo Mefisto Racing Car concept serves as the foundation to celebrate the Fiat brand’s racing heritage. The name “Mefisto,” derived from the name “Mefistofele,” pays tribute to the Fiat Mefistofele, a one-off racing car created by Ernest Eldridge in 1923 by combining the chassis of the 1908 Fiat SB4 with a 6-cylinder, 21L Fiat A.12 aero engine, producing 316 HP.
Super 2000, also known as S2000, met the FIA (Federation Internationale De L'automobile) specification and classification for production based race cars. The specification is split to cover both rally and touring car racing. Super 2000 rally cars are also permitted to compete in Super 2000 World Rally Championship Events. Some of its victories include placing 2nd at Italian Rally Championship, 1st at Intercontinental Rally Challenge and 4th at European Rally Championships.
Fiat 124 Abarth debuted in official matches in 1973. The livery has the car body donning a bright red color with the sides traversed by white bands. In September, the Fiat 124 Abarth, sporting a displacement of 1839 CC and 180 HP, participated in the rally San Martino Di Castrozza and won second place with the Pinto-Bernacchini crew. It also won second in the World Championship in 1974 at the rally of Portugal. The San Martino Di Castrozza was dominated by the Fiat 124 Abarth, seeing four cars classified in the first six places.
In 1985, the Fiat Uno was founded with the aim of offering young drivers a low-cost car that was robust in performance and easy to handle. The Uno 70 was perfect in this role, as it remained the protagonist until 1987, when it was joined by the more powerful Turbo IE.
Performance for all. Fiat 500 Abarth was an idea conceived in 1949, having in mind a car with unique dimensions, form, speed, and attitude – imbibing the strong, determined and indomitable character of the zodiac sign, Scorpio, which eventually became the logo. Abarth’s work began again in 2007. Research, experimentation, and the desire to create unique models allow us to look forward with enthusiasm, ready to accept new challenges and achieve new victories.