Abarth 1000 GT Coupé

1000 GT Coupé briefly

This is a series of three prototype coupés with an aerodynamic body. Its creator was Franco Scaglione from Bertone, one of the most renowned Italian designers of the time.

The car was intended for racing classes where the engine displacement did not exceed one litre.

History and creation

The project's goal was to create an extremely fast small-displacement coupé capable of competing in the one-litre class.

According to descriptions, during testing on the German AVUS track, accidents occurred, leading to the project's cancellation. Therefore, the car never made it to mass production.

Technical details

According to available data, a 998 cm³ four-cylinder engine with two distributor drives, producing roughly 88 HP, was used. This was a shorter-stroke variant of the Alfa Romeo Giulietta engine, adapted for the one-litre class.

The body's key feature was its aerodynamics and low weight, which were meant to compensate for the modest power.

Significance and where to see it

The 1000 GT Coupé showcases the collaboration between Abarth and Bertone, as well as the experiments of the era. Although it was not successful, its design remains intriguing to automotive history.

It is known that one surviving example was later restyled by designer Luigi Colani. Other details vary among sources.

The prototype and its fate

There are no trim levels due to the extremely low production run.

1000 GT Coupé and other Abarths from the 1950s

Both cars emerged from the collaboration between Bertone and Abarth, but the 1000 GT Coupé was aimed at the one-litre class.

Frequently asked questions