Cisitalia-Abarth D46/48

The Cisitalia-Abarth D46/48 by Motto was a one-off single-seat racing car developed between 1946 and 1948. Constructed on the basis of the Cisitalia D46 monoposto and later modified under the auspices of Carlo Abarth, the car incorporated coachwork by Rocco Motto of Turin. It served as both a works entry and a platform for early post-war competition efforts by Scuderia Cisitalia, and later Abarth, in national and international voiturette-class events. The chassis was a tubular spaceframe designed under the direction of Giovanni Savonuzzi and Dante Giacosa, optimized for rigidity and lightweight construction. The original power unit was derived from the Fiat 1100 inline-four overhead-valve engine, extensively modified by Cisitalia with enhancements including high-compression pistons, dual carburetors, a dry sump system, and a performance exhaust. Power output ranged from 60 to 70 horsepower in its D46 configuration. By 1948, under Abarth’s refinement, the engine displacement was increased to 1,200 cc, corresponding to the D48 specification. Power was transmitted to the rear wheels via a close-ratio manual gearbox. The body was hand-formed in aluminium by Rocco Motto. It featured a narrow, aerodynamic profile with a rounded nose, exposed front suspension components partially faired-in, and a tapering tail section terminating behind the single-seat cockpit. The bodywork emphasized low frontal area and smooth surface transitions. The interior was minimal and purpose-built, with a simple instrument cluster, bucket seat, and fixed windscreen. Only one example of the Cisitalia-Abarth D46/48 Motto was built. Chassis number 0031, with engine number 018, is the sole known example. It was entered in competition by Scuderia Cisitalia and driven by several prominent drivers including Felice Bonetto and Giuseppe Farina. Victories and podium finishes were recorded in events such as the Coppa Asti Spumante and Circuito di Mantova during the 1947–1948 seasons. The car passed to Abarth in 1949 and later to private ownership in South America.