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.
07 / THE VEHICLE IN DETAIL
Photo gallery 1 photographs
08 / FROM THE ARCHIVE
Archive
References held in the vehicle dossier. Their inclusion does not establish that every historical claim has been independently verified.
| Reference | Source type |
|---|---|
| Automobile-Catalog — 1956 Abarth 216A Spyder Bertone www.automobile-catalog.com | Technical reference |











THE CONVERSATION
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