Abarth 2000 SP Sport Prototipo
The Abarth 2000 SP (Sport Prototipo) was the larger-displacement evolution of the celebrated 1000 SP, sharing its basic design philosophy but with a dramatically more powerful engine that elevated it from a class winner to an outright contender against much larger machinery.
The engine was a 1,946 cc twin-cam four-cylinder, developed by Abarth's engineering team to produce an extraordinary 220 horsepower — a specific output of over 113 hp per liter from a naturally aspirated engine in the 1960s. Fed by twin Weber 46 DCOE carburetors and breathing through large-diameter exhaust manifolds, the engine revved to over 8,000 rpm with a sound that has been described as one of the most glorious in motorsport.
The chassis followed the same principles as the 1000 SP: a tubular steel space frame with mid-engine layout, independent suspension at all four corners, and four-wheel disc brakes. At 560 kg, the 2000 SP was slightly heavier than its smaller sibling but still extraordinarily light. The power-to-weight ratio was remarkable — nearly 400 hp per ton — placing it in the realm of contemporary Formula One cars.
The bodywork was based on the 1000 SP design but enlarged and refined for the greater performance. The same flowing lines and minimal frontal area were maintained, with the car standing only 830 mm tall. The aerodynamic efficiency of the body was critical to achieving the car's claimed top speed of 260 km/h — an astonishing figure for a two-liter car in the late 1960s.
In competition, the Abarth 2000 SP was a force in the European sports car championship, competing in the up-to-two-liter class against Porsche 906s, Alpine A210s, and other formidable opponents. Its combination of power, light weight, and aerodynamic efficiency made it competitive on both fast circuits and tight technical courses. Notable results included class victories at the Targa Florio, the Nurburgring, and numerous hillclimb championships.
Fewer than 50 examples were built, making the 2000 SP even rarer than the 1000 SP. Today, it is one of the most valuable and sought-after Abarth competition cars, representing the absolute pinnacle of Carlo Abarth's engineering achievement in the sports prototype category.
One of the rarest and most valuable Abarths — authentication through Registro Abarth is absolutely essential. Complete racing history documentation is critical for provenance. The twin-cam engine requires specialist rebuilding by one of a handful of experts worldwide. Tubular chassis must be inspected for fatigue cracks and previous repairs. Fiberglass bodywork can be repaired but original panels are preferred. Competition wear and tear is expected but hidden damage from incidents must be identified. Only buy with comprehensive documentation and expert pre-purchase inspection.
Approximately 50 units were built between 1966 and 1970, exclusively for competition use. Each car was hand-built to individual customer specification. The engine evolved through the production run, with later examples developing even more power. Some cars were subsequently fitted with different engines by private teams. The 2000 SP was Abarth's top-tier sports prototype alongside the 3000 SP.