Fiat 131 Abarth — Rally Giants

by Graham Robson

When Fiat entered rallying in 1970, its ultimate aim was to become World Rally Champion – and the 131 Abarth of 1976-1980 provided the machinery to make that possible. Within the Fiat-Lancia empire, the 131 Abarth not only replaced the 124 Abarth Spider sports car, but was also favoured ahead of the charismatic Lancia Stratos. By 1970s standards, the 131 Abarth was the most extreme, and effective, of all homologation specials. Compared with the 131 family car on which it was originally based, it had different engine, transmission and suspension layouts, was backed by big budgets and by a team of superstar drivers, and was meant to win all round the world.

Not only did it start winning World rallies within months of being launched, but in 1977, 1978 and 1980 the 'works' team also won the World Championship for Makes, and set every standard by which Rally Giants were to be judged. The 131 Abarth was backed by a peerless team of engineers, so was there ever any doubt that successors like the Lancia Rally 037 and the Delta Integrale would eventually come from the same stable?

Contents:

• The car and the team
  Inspiration
  Fiat – newcomers at World level
  The 131 Abarth’s importance in rallying
  Facing up to rival cars
  Homologation – meeting the rules
  Engineering features
  Motorsport development and improvements
  Building and running the works cars
  Blind alleys
  Personalities and star drivers
• Competition story
  1976
  1977
  1978
  1979
  1980
  1981
  1982
  Replacing the 131 Abarth – the Group B dilemma
• World/major European rally wins
• Works rally cars (and when first used)

Buch, Softcover, 21 x 19,5 cm, 128 Seiten, 44 farbige und 55 s/w-Abbildungen, englischer Text
Einzelstück - Zustand: sehr gut