Fiat 131 Abarth Stradale Heads to Zurich Auction
A 1977 Fiat 131 Abarth Stradale, a road-going homologation version of the championship-winning rally car, is set for auction by RM Sotheby's in Zurich
A 1977 Fiat 131 Abarth Stradale is being offered for sale at RM Sotheby's upcoming Zurich auction. This car is a rare, road-legal homologation model built to allow Fiat to compete with a rally version in the World Rally Championship during the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Before the dominance of all-wheel-drive "Group B" cars, manufacturers like Fiat transformed humble family sedans into competitive rally machines. To qualify for Group 4 rallying, the FIA required 400 road-going versions. Fiat, already successful with the 124 Abarth Rally, tasked Bertone and Abarth to create a rally variant based on the two-door 131 Mirafiori.
Bertone's Aggressive Transformation
Carrozzeria Bertone radically reshaped the family car. They gave it an angular body with spoilers, extra air vents, and pronounced box-flared wheel arches. To save weight, the doors were made from aluminum and the hood and fenders from composite materials. The completed bodies, including interior structural reinforcements, were then sent to Fiat's Rivalta plant to be fitted with Abarth's performance components.
Abarth's Rally-Bred Mechanics
The heart of the car was a four-cylinder 16-valve Lampredi engine. In road-going Stradale trim, it used a special aluminum cylinder head and twin Weber carburetors to produce 140 horsepower. The racing version evolved significantly, eventually making 245 hp with Kugelfischer fuel injection. While this was less powerful than the rival Ford Escort RS, the Fiat was known for its superior traction and forgiving handling. Champion driver Walter Röhrl once praised its manageability.
The road car's specification was heavily modified from the standard 131. Key upgrades included independent rear suspension, rear disc brakes, and a limited-slip differential from the larger Fiat 130. The Colotti five-speed gearbox had its synchronizers removed, a specific requirement for homologation.
| Feature | Road-Going Stradale | Racing Evolution |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | Lampredi 4-cylinder, 16-valve | Lampredi 4-cylinder, 16-valve |
| Induction | Twin Weber carburetors | Kugelfischer fuel injection |
| Power Output | 140 hp at 6,400 rpm | 245 hp |
| Key Characteristics | Homologation-spec gearbox, road-legal | Dry-sump lubrication, full race tune |
A Championship-Winning Legacy
The competition car developed by Fiat's ASA racing department proved immensely successful. Fiat won the World Rally Championship manufacturers' title three times with the 131 Abarth in 1977, 1978, and 1980. Walter Röhrl and co-driver Christian Geistdörfer clinched the drivers' championship in 1980. Between 1976 and 1981, Fiat 131 crews claimed victory in 18 World Rally Championship events.
The Auction Car Today
The specific car crossing the block is finished in its correct period color of Rosso Arancio over a black interior. It has just emerged from a comprehensive two-year restoration, completed in April 2024 by Blue Palm Service in Münsingen, Switzerland. The work focused on a full engine overhaul. This Stradale offers a direct connection to the era of rally legends like Markku Alén and Walter Röhrl, suitable for historic rally events or concours display.
