Autobianchi A112 Abarth
The Autobianchi A112 Abarth was the original Italian hot hatchback, predating the Volkswagen Golf GTI by four years. Autobianchi, a Fiat subsidiary, produced the A112 as a stylish city car, and the Abarth version transformed it into a genuinely exciting driving machine. The Abarth variant received a tuned engine (initially 982cc, later 1050cc), sport suspension, front disc brakes, and distinctive Abarth badging and striping. At just 680 kg, the little A112 Abarth was a fizzy, entertaining pocket rocket that could embarrass much larger cars on twisty Italian mountain roads. Its front-wheel-drive layout, derived from the Fiat 128's revolutionary transverse engine configuration, provided excellent traction and nimble handling. The car became enormously popular in Italy as an affordable performance car, and many racing drivers began their careers in A112 Abarth one-make racing series. The A112 was produced for an extraordinary 17 years (1969-1986), with the Abarth versions remaining in demand throughout. It influenced an entire generation of Italian hot hatchbacks and remains one of the most charming and fun small performance cars ever made.
Rust devastates these cars — surviving examples in good condition are increasingly rare. Check floor pans, sills, inner wings, and suspension turrets. The A-series engine is simple and well-supported. Abarth-specific parts (badges, instruments, trim) are valuable and sometimes counterfeited. Many standard A112s have been 'converted' to Abarth specification — verify authenticity carefully.
Over 1.25 million A112s were produced across all variants during its 17-year production run. The Abarth version was available throughout most of this period with progressive engine upgrades. Autobianchi was a wholly-owned Fiat subsidiary.