Throughout his long and varied career, Carlo Abarth made an indelible mark on motorsport, transforming everyday Fiats into competitive GT racing machines and developing sports prototypes distinguished by innovative engineering, advanced construction methods, and avant-garde design. Few Abarth models embody this philosophy as completely as the 1300 OT, and this example – fitted with the rare “Periscopio” roof intake – stands as an ideal expression of Abarth’s singular vision.

The brainchild of Ing. Mario Colucci, the 1300 OT – OT denoting Omologate Turismo – was based on the pressed-steel platform of the new Fiat 850 and developed to compete in the FIA’s Group 4 Sports Prototype category. Power came from the tipo 237 engine, an evolution of the Abarth-designed twin-cam inline four that had proven so successful in the earlier Abarth-Simca 1300. Featuring twin-spark ignition, dry sump lubrication, and large 45 mm Weber carburetors, the engine produced a remarkable 147 bhp from just 1,298 cc and revved to nearly 9,000 rpm. Mounted at the rear – a layout favored by Abarth – it was paired with a five-speed manual transaxle incorporating a self-locking differential. The advanced chassis employed fully independent coil-spring suspension, four-wheel disc brakes, and lightweight Campagnolo cast-alloy wheels.

The streamlined fiberglass coupe body, crafted by the Torinese coachbuilder Sibona-Basano, was distinguished by its three-piece, clamshell-style panels, allowing swift and unobstructed access to the car’s mechanical systems. Weighing just 655 kg, the 1300 OT was capable of speeds in excess of 240 km/h – an extraordinary achievement for a 1.3-liter sports prototype of the period. Approximately 50 examples were built between May 1965 and March 1966 to satisfy FIA Group 4 homologation requirements, with fewer than 15 fitted with the distinctive – and highly coveted – Periscopio-style roof scoop. The Periscopio intake was a practical solution to a common challenge in mid- and rear-engine racing cars: excessive cockpit heat. Initially tested as a side-window inlet, the design evolved into a roof-mounted scoop that channeled fresh air directly into the driver’s compartment. Beyond its functional benefits, the intake became an iconic visual hallmark of the OT series, lending the model its enduring nickname and unmistakable identity.

This 1300 OT, chassis 137C.044, boasts an impressive competition pedigree. Delivered new to Abarth Corse Deutschland, it was campaigned by German driver Siegfried Dau during the 1966 season, achieving victories at the Mainz- Finthen Flugplatzrennen and the DARM Touring Car Grand Prix at Hockenheim. Additional 2nd in Class finishes at the Hockenheim 100-Mile race and the ADAC Nürburgring 500 Km further demonstrated the model’s competitiveness in period. On the international stage, the 1300 OT contributed to Abarth’s dominance in FIA Division 1, helping secure Manufacturer’s Cup victories in 1967 and 1968. These achievements firmly established the OT series as one of the most formidable small-displacement racing cars of the mid-1960s.

Following its brief but successful racing career, chassis 137C.044 entered Peter Kaus’ famed Rosso Bianco Collection, where it underwent an extensive restoration by Auto Schiemenz of Bonn, Germany. In the late 1980s, it joined the esteemed collection of Shiro Kosaka, founder of the Gallery Abarth Museum in Japan, before being acquired in 2008 by noted Italian car collector Elad Shraga. During his stewardship, the car benefited from a mechanical recommissioning and was then shown and driven selectively. Subsequent ownership by respected collectors Tom Stegman and Tom Shaughnessy preceded its acquisition in 2016 by Curtis Leaverton, under whose care it has been meticulously maintained and sparingly exercised.

Retaining its correct tipo 237 Abarth engine and benefiting from a distinguished and well-documented ownership history, chassis 137C.044 represents a rare opportunity to acquire a well-prepared and historically significant example of one of Abarth’s most celebrated small-displacement racing cars. Its compelling combination of rarity, period competition success, and innovative engineering ensures that the 1300 OT Periscopio remains a benchmark among Italian sports and racing cars – and a tangible link to the enduring legacy of Carlo Abarth.

*Please note that this vehicle is sold on a Bill of Sale.