The Abarth 1300OT Periscopica Coupé by Sibona & Basano

Abarth 1300OT Periscopica Coupé

During his long career, tuning specialist Carlo Abarth contributed to many superb racing cars that were built on platforms ranging from mass-production Fiats to exotic four-cam Porsches. Few of these models, however, involved as comprehensive an approach as his OT (Omologato Turismo) series, as this 1300 OT coupe splendidly attests.

Vehicle Overview

The Abarth 1300OT Periscopica Coupé: In late 1964, Abarth’s contract with supplier Simca expired, as Chrysler had taken a majority stake in the French manufacturer and had little interest in pursuing a competition agenda. Seeking a replacement for the successful Simca-Abarth 1300 and 2000 GTs, the Italian constructor took the opportunity to develop his own engine design, culminating in the production of a 1300 cc inline 4-cylinder motor with two valves per cylinder, twin-plug ignition, and dry sump lubrication. Fed by two large Weber carburetors, the 1300 OT engine developed a compression ratio of 10.5:1 and was good for 145 hp. Abarth penned a handsome coupe body that was molded in three-piece clamshell fashion by Sibona & Basano of Torino, and the coachwork was mounted on a developed version of a Fiat 850 chassis in a series of at least 50 examples built between May 1965 and March 1966, thus satisfying homologation requirements. The thoroughbred race car featured minimal adornments, with a bare fiberglass interior and weight-saving features like drilled aluminum pedals. As the rear-mounted motor and front-mounted radiator contributed to cabin heat, several cars were equipped with a periscope-style intake on the roof that fed cool air directly to the driver. In this configuration, the model was appropriately nicknamed Periscopio. The Abarth 1300OT Periscopica Coupé dominated its class during the 1966-68 seasons, notably winning the Division 1 FIA Manufacturer’s Cup in 1967 and 1968.

Photo courtesy of Gooding & Company

Technical Specifications

Body

Limited
Year

1966
Make

Abarth
Model

1300OT Periscopica Coupé
Coachbuilder

Sibona Basano
Length (mm)

N/A
Width (mm)

N/A
Height (mm)

N/A
Units built

50
Engine Type

4L
Designer

Mario Colucci
Make

N/A
Model

N/A
Cylinder Capacity

N/A
Number Of Doors

N/A
Six Month Rate

N/A
Twelve Month Rate

N/A
Date Of First Registration

N/A
Year Of Manufacture

N/A
CO2 Emissions

N/A
Fuel Type

N/A
Tax Status

N/A
Transmission

N/A
Colour

N/A
Type Approval

N/A
Wheel Plan

N/A
Revenue Weight

N/A
Tax Details

N/A
Mot Details

N/A
Taxed

N/A
mot

N/A
Make

N/A
Cylinder Capacity

N/A
Registration

N/A
Year Of Manufacture

N/A
CO2 Missions

N/A
Fuel Type

N/A
Tax Status

N/A
Colour

N/A
Type Approval

N/A
Wheel Plan

N/A
Revenue Weight

N/A

Abarth 1300OT Periscopica Coupé

Vehicle Overview

Technical Specifications

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Abarth 1300OT Periscopica Coupé

Vehicle Overview

Technical Specifications

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