A 1966 Fiat Abarth OT 1300 with documented competition history in three consecutive Targa Florio races will head to auction at the prestigious Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, offered by Broad Arrow Auctions with an estimate of €400,000 to €450,000.
Chassis number 0047 is a seldom-seen survivor of the Group 4 era and stands as a true piece of Italian motorsport history. Delivered new to Turin-based racer Fiorenzo Genta, the lightweight coupe saw action in the grueling Sicilian road race from 1967 to 1969. The OT 1300 claimed class victory in its debut and remained remarkably consistent throughout its campaigns, finishing all three events—an uncommon feat on the treacherous public roads of the Targa Florio.
Powering the rear-engine racer is a high-revving 1.3-liter inline-four producing 147 horsepower at 8,800 rpm, mated to a five-speed manual gearbox and paired with a self-locking differential. The car is equipped with independent suspension and four-wheel disc brakes—cutting-edge features for the period.
Perhaps most distinctive is the "Periscopio" air intake mounted atop the roof—a functional design cue to draw cool air into the cockpit during long endurance runs. It’s a feature that contributed not just to cooling but to the Abarth’s instantly recognizable profile.
After passing through the hands of noted figures such as Vincenzo Osella—who would go on to helm the Osella Formula One team—the car was eventually acquired by its current Italian owner in 1988 as part of a trade that included a Ferrari Dino 246 GT. It has remained in static storage ever since, its barn-find condition now offering an enticing restoration opportunity.
“This car is more than a project,” Broad Arrow Auctions stated. “It’s a rolling time capsule of Italian racing heritage, offering entry into top-tier historic events.”
Still adorned with its original 53rd Targa Florio inspection decal, chassis 0047 is being sold with an extensive history file detailing its competition provenance and ownership chain.
The 2025 Villa d’Este sale promises no shortage of spectacular automobiles, but few will match the historical depth—and racing pedigree—of this compact Abarth giant-killer. See it here.
