A superb and rare photo of the magnificent and new 1972 Abarth 124 Rally , or Fiat Abarth 124 Rally , as photographed for its introduction and worldwide debut for the 1972 model year

This high quality color image shows magnificent detail of the car!

The Abarth 124 Rally, or Fiat Abarth 124 Rally, has an interesting history, that started with the Fiat 124 Spider. Before the Fiat 124 Spider was introduced to rallying in 1968/1969, Fiat had been building a service for privateers interested in rallying their cars. It was called the Fiat Rally Service as mainly technical advice was given to veteran cars preparing for distance and tourist events. Independently of Fiat, Abarth provided many Italian enthusiasts with tuning components, and their own versions of Fiats with additional performance. In the Italian road rallies of the era Fiats proved most popular, with occasional Alfas and the outstanding Lancia Fulvias completing the fields.And the growth potential of this form of motorsport was apparent. From 1967 Fiat's Rally Service was extended to provide a continuous support and car servicing capability. So the main elements of rally support for overseas rallies began. By 1968 a group of enthusists had formed a team based around the Turin offices, warehouse and workshops that had once served the Fiat racing team of the twenties. In 1969 Fiat's attention increased. Further financial assitance lead to a more specialised workshop, and the formation of an official team in 1970, when Alcide Paganelli and Dominico Russo won their first Italian rally title in a 1438cc Sport Spider. Late in 1969 the second series of 124 Spider (we now call the 124BS) was released, with a new 1608cc Twin Cam and twin Weber carbs, replacing the 1438cc single carbed original. It was this car, the ‘124 Sport Spider 1600’, that provided the all round performance for rallying.  In 1970, confidence in the cars and the team grew, as the team handled a programme involving 9 crews, participating in rallies for International Makes, European Drivers, Italian, and Mitropa Cup Championships. The cars involved where the 124 Sport Spiders (in Group 4 of the International Sporting Code), 128 Coupes and then 125S saloons (in Group 1). Some 40-plus designers and mechanical specialists were employed. In 1971 Fiat entered an official factory rally team in National Rallies for the first time. The strategy was to enter the 125S on gravel and very rough surface rallies, while the 124 Spiders were used on tarmac and smoother gravel events. Then came a major change in the direction and intensity of rally efforts. Work to homologate a rally Fiat for international use was already underway when, in August 1971 Fiat bought the world famous Abarth & Co. tuning firm from Carlo Abarth on his retirement. In the next few months, Abarth's world class development efforts were channelled exclusively into rallying.... giving birth to, for instance, Osella to cater for some of Abarth's circuit racing interests. Abarth's expertise in rapid designing and testing of special components reduced development times and further energised Fiat's customer rally teams as well as their newly formed Works team. Within 12 months Abarth's input moved competition efforts on to a truly international basis. Under their guidance the 124 Rally was created. After a serious development effort the 124 Abarth Rally was launched in Autumn 1972 (SEE PHOTO!). This car still needed to obtain homologation for international and national events - which was achieved in November. According to homologation inspections, over 400 of the eventual road going versions were verified. (The manufucturer having about 21 months to complete and sell this number of chassis). It appears that the standard 124 spider chassis were built up at Abarth in batches. Under the new homologation regulations, Abarth were tasked with creating both the Street (Stradale) versions of the 124 Rally, as well as the Works rally cars. 124 Spider shells would be pulled off the main 124 production in one batch, for preparation at Abarth's premises. About 30 of these shells were then set aside for Works rally preparation. The rest were prepared as road going versions (Stradale) for sale through Fiat dealerships. Growth in the popularity (and publicity) of rallying continued, and so1973 became the first year of the World Championship of Rallies. In 1973 the 124 Abarth still lacked pace and reliability – Fiat loosing out to the Renault Alpine team in the championship. Consequently the Fiat rally effort was increased. The car was really too heavy. Over 1974 and 1975 Abarth further developed the car with stronger suspension components, larger and better cooled brakes, wheel and tyre improvements and an extensively lightened shell - culminating in the wide body kit version of 1975. This final version had new ducts and a special 16-valve engine with Kugelfischer mechanical injection. This engine was claimed to produce over 210bhp reliably by the end of the 1975 season. The car's livery was also changed from the initial Abarth red with black hard top, boot and bonnet to light red with yellow trim.

Abarth is an Italian racing car maker founded by Austrian-Italian Carlo Abarth in Turin in 1949. Its logo depicts a stylized scorpion on a red and yellow background. Carlo Abarth began his well-known association with Fiat in 1952, building the Abarth 1500 Biposto upon Fiat mechanicals. In the 1960s, Abarth & C. S.r.l was quite successful in hillclimbing and sports car racing, mainly in classes from 850cc up to 2000cc, competing with Porsche 904 and Ferrari Dino. Later, Johann Abt, who would later go on to found Abt Sportsline, was promised by Carlo Abarth that he could drive a factory car for free if he won all the races he entered—which Abt nearly did, winning 29 of 30, the 30th being in second. Along with its racing cars, Abarth produced high-performance exhaust pipes. Later, Abarth diversified in producing various tuning kits for road vehicles, mainly for Fiat. While there were many competitors in this segment, such as Giannini, Abarth has largely dominated the Italian tuning market since the sixties. Abarth was also associated in producing sports or racing cars with Porsche and Simca. Abarth was sold to Fiat on July 31, 1971, and the racing team sold to Enzo Osella. Abarth became the racing department of Fiat, managed by famed engine designer Aurelio Lampredi. Some models built by Fiat or its subsidiaries Lancia and Autobianchi were co-branded Abarth, the most famous being the Autobianchi A112 Abarth, probably the most popular "boy racer" vehicle of its time on account of its lightness and low price. Abarth also prepared Fiat Group's rally cars like Fiat 124 Abarth and 131 Abarth. In the 80s Abarth name was mainly used to mark performance Fiats like Fiat Ritmo Abarth 130 TC. The name was almost forgotten in 1990s and in 2000s it was used like a trim/model level on FIAT cars, like the FIAT Stilo Abarth. In 2007 Fiat Automobiles SpA relaunched the brand with the Grande Punto Abarth and the Grande Punto Abarth S2000. The brand is to be seen as a separate division to the main Fiat brand in a similar way that the Renault Sport brand is to the mainstream Renault. It is based in the Officine 83, part of the old Mirafiori engineering plant. The company CEO is Harald Wester. After years of sports competing on the continent, competition organisers announced the launch of a new Abarth 500 GB series for 2010. The competition was to represent a new high profile sponsored race series, which was staged at Oulton Park, Cheshire, on 3–5 April 2010. Building on the success of its namesake Italian and European series, the GB competition brought together a plethora of driver-talent from across the UK. The GB series was developed by the competitors for the competitors; by the sponsors for the sponsors, and by the fans for the fans. All Abarth Assetto Corse (limited edition) cars are built in Turin, Italy, and are checked to the highest standards. They are also subject to a shakedown and test at the Fiat Group proving ground in Balocco.

This is a very nice and very rare non period photo that reflects a wonderful era of Abarth and Fiat automotive history in a wonderful way.  This is your rare chance to own this photo, therefore it is printed in a nice large format of ca. 8" x 10" (ca. 20 x 26 cm).  It makes it perfectly suitable for framing.

Shipping costs will only be $ 7.00 regardless of how many photos you buy.   For 5 or more photos, shipping is free!

 (Note: A. Herl, Inc. does not appear on photo, for ebay purposes only)

No copyright expressed or implied. Sold as collectable item only. We are clearing out our archives that we have gathered from various sources.

All items always sent well protected in PVC clear files and board backed envelopes.

We have photographs that came from professional collections and/or were bought from the original photographer or press studio! They are all of professional and excellent quality.

After many decades of professionally collecting photographs and posters we are clearing out our archives. They make the perfect gift and are perfectly suited for framing. They will look gorgeous unframed and will be a true asset nicely framed with a border. They are a gorgeous and great asset in every home, workshop, workplace, restaurant, bar or club!

First come - first served. And you can always contact us for your requests. Please ask any questions before the auction ends.