Cisitalia 202B Abarth Allemano

The Cisitalia 202B Abarth Allemano, constructed in 1951 and identified by chassis number 105, is a singular specimen resulting from the confluence of three principal figures in early postwar Italian automotive history: Cisitalia, Abarth, and Carrozzeria Allemano. Commissioned during a transitional period in Cisitalia’s operations, the vehicle represents an experimental fusion of advanced engineering, coachbuilt refinement, and aerodynamic exploration. The mechanical basis of the 202B derives from the Cisitalia 202 platform, itself developed from Fiat mechanicals and refined through competition and limited series production. Chassis 105 was fitted with a modified 1.1-litre inline-four engine, enhanced under the direction of Carlo Abarth. This unit featured belt-driven supercharging and dry sump lubrication—elements not standard in Cisitalia’s production variants. The engine was coupled to an unconventional six-speed semi-automatic gearbox housed in a cast aluminium case and operated via a set of three levers, a configuration highly unusual for the period and suggestive of experimental intent rather than production feasibility. The bodywork was executed by Carrozzeria Allemano in Turin, to a design attributed to Franco Scaglione, who at that time was still early in his collaboration with Bertone. The design reflects a commitment to streamlined form: front fenders extend rearward in a single continuous volume, converging into a tapered tail section. The body was constructed entirely in aluminium and affixed to a bespoke frame derived from Fiat geometry. The result is both visually and technically distinct from other Cisitalia-bodied variants. Chassis 105 is believed to be unique. No production followed. After its period of construction and limited use, it fell into obscurity until its restoration in 1991. The car was later offered at the Monterey Sports Car Auction in 2003, where it gained renewed attention. Its current ownership resides within a private collection; the vehicle is known to have retained its original mechanical configuration and body panels. The Cisitalia 202B Abarth Allemano exists as an artefact of an era in which Italian automaking permitted radical experimentation within the confines of small-scale industry. It stands apart from its contemporaries not through competition pedigree or industrial impact, but by virtue of its singular execution and the confluence of names that define its creation.