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Cars

1955 207A SPYDER CORSA BOANO

At the end of 1954, nearly 5 years after the birth of Abarth as an automobile constructor and racer with the ex-Cisitalia 204A and 205A models, Carlos racing instinct drove him to search for racing success again with the 207A. The design of this car was given to Giovanni Michelotti who not only had to create a sleek and pleasing sports car, but was required to create a showcase for the Abarth exhaust system which was by now an integral part of the Abarth fame and of course an important source of income to be used to finance the growth of the company and enable Carlo to pursue development of yet more racing cars in search of the ultimate goal of victory. Michelotti was, let us say, a little over exuberant in the first designs, but this was then toned down to create a pleasing sculptured area to best exhibit the twin chromed diamond shaped exhaust system. Michelottis design was turned into a "living" car by the coach builder Mario Felice Boano who had recently left Ghia to set up on his own.

The chassis is mainly constructed of boxed sections made of sheet metal, with floor pans and curved firewall and rear sections welded in for rigidity. The mechanics are Fiat 1100 derived with A-arms and coil springs up front and the rear axle suspended with radius arms, coil springs and V-shaped arms connected to the differential. Aluminium drum brakes are used all round while the engine is based on the Fiat 1100/103 unit which was not surprisingly transformed from producing 36hp to 66hp with such enhancements as inlet and exhaust upgrades as well a revised compression ratio of 9.4:1.

The aimed for success on the American tracks eluded Abarth mainly due to stiff competition from the Lotus Nines and Elevens, the latter of which being virtually invincible at 1100cc class level. Despite this, the 207A was a very important car for another reason - it opened the way for future sales and success in the U.S.A due to the creation of Abarths American commercial arm headed by importer Tony Pompeo and driver Gino Valenzano. In fact they managed to sell a number of 207As as well as the derived 208A and 209As despite their high price relative to cars such as the Chevrolet Corvette, Ford Thunderbird, on sale at less than half the sum asked for the Abarths.
207A
Engine Position:
Front
Number of Cylinders:
4
Valve Type:
ohv
Bore x Stroke:
68 x 75mm (70.5 x 75)
Displacement:
1089cc (1270cc)
Compression Ratio:
9.4
Carburetion:
2 Weber 36 DCO4
Max. Power:
66 bhp/6000 rpm (78bhp/5900 rpm)
Max. Torque:
8.8 mkg
Gearbox Speeds:
4
Final Drive Ratio:
4.3 (3.81)
Wheel Front:
5.20 - 14
Wheel Rear:
5.20 - 14
Brakes Front:
drum
Brakes Rear:
drum
Wheelbase:
2050mm
Track Front:
1229mm
Track Rear:
1212mm
Length:
3620mm
Width:
1560mm
Height:
940mm
Number of Seats:
1 or 2
Curb Weight:
522kg
Max. Speed:
163 km/h (180 km/h)