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THE ITALIAN COACHBUILDER SITE

Abarth 216 A Spyder

1956Coachwork by Bertone

THE VEHICLE AT A GLANCE

Model dossier

Production period
1956
Body style
Spider
Engine
Inline-4
Type
Prototype

THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE CAR

Coachbuilding, design & conversions

PRICE & SALES RECORD

Vehicle value

Original price
Not documented
Latest recorded sale
Not documented

01 / THE STORY

History & context

The Abarth 216 A Spyder is a remarkable testament to automotive engineering and design from the mid-20th century. Unveiled at the 1956 Geneva Motor Show, this diminutive sports car, with a body penned by the renowned Franco Scaglione and showcased by Bertone, captured the imagination of enthusiasts with its distinctive features and impressive performance capabilities. Measuring a mere 1.11 meters in height, the Abarth 216 A Spyder is a study in compactness and efficiency. Its frame, meticulously crafted from 10mm tubes welded together, provides a robust foundation for the vehicle. The rear-mounted Fiat 600 engine, enhanced by Abarth to produce 47 horsepower at 6000 rpm, propels the lightweight car to remarkable speeds, with a top velocity exceeding 160 km/h. The car’s minimal weight, tipping the scales at just 560 kg, further amplifies its agility and responsiveness on the road. Aerodynamic efficiency is a hallmark of the Abarth 216 A Spyder’s design. Concealed headlights and a sleek, compact frontal area minimize drag and contribute to the car’s overall performance and stability. This thoughtful approach to aerodynamics not only enhances the vehicle’s speed but also adds to its visual appeal, creating a harmonious balance between form and function. In addition to the Spyder variant, the Abarth 216 A also comes in a coupé version, known as the 215 A. Both iterations exemplify Abarth’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of automotive innovation while maintaining a captivating aesthetic that resonates with enthusiasts of the era. Overall, the Abarth 216 A Spyder represents a pinnacle of automotive design and engineering from its time, blending outstanding performance with captivating aesthetics to create a timeless classic that continues to inspire admiration among automotive aficionados.

02 / TECHNICAL IDENTITY

Specifications & construction

Production & construction

Production type
Prototype

Engine & performance

Engine configuration
Inline-4

Design & manufacture

Coachbuilder / Body Builder · Documented
Bertone
Manufacturer · Documented
Abarth
Designer · Candidate
Franco Scaglione

06 / EVENTS & AWARDS

Events & awards

No events or documented awards are currently recorded for this vehicle.

08 / FROM THE ARCHIVE

Archive

References held in the vehicle dossier. Their inclusion does not establish that every historical claim has been independently verified.

ReferenceSource type
Automobile-Catalog — 1956 Abarth 216A Spyder Bertone www.automobile-catalog.com Technical reference

THE CONVERSATION

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