With resources and talent from the defunct Cisitalia Automobili, Carlos Abarth started his own company called Abarth & C. in Turin and the 204 A roadster was his first car. He acquired the remnants of Cisitalia including the 204 which he had modified by Porsche to fit their torsion bar rear suspension.

Visually the cars appeared like a scaled-down version of the Cisitalia grand prix cars. The engine was derived from a Fiat 1089cc unit fitted with twin Webers.

The car was successfully raced in the 1949 season by the Cisitalia-Carlo Abarth Team in the 1200cc class. After wins by Pierro Taruffi at the Circuit of Reggio Emilia and the Aosta-Gran San Bernardo, it looked like Abarth was set to take the Grand Prix of Madrid. Unfortunately all the 204s failed, leaving victory to the Simca-Gordini. That year Taruffi still clinched the F2 title for sports cars.

By 1950, Abarth removed all the Cisitalia logos from the 204 and prepared extensively for Tazio Nuvolari’s drive in the 10th Giro de Sicilia. At 57 years old, this was Nuvolari’s last stab at professional racing. He won the Palmero-Monte Pellegrino hillcimb which was his last victory in professional racing. Nuvolari retired from the team before the great Sicilian race.

Story by Richard Owen

In Detail

tags	etceterini
submitted by	Richard Owen
type	Racing Car
production years	1948 – 1950
released at	1948 Gran Prix of Vercelli
built at	Turin, Italy
body stylist	Giovanni Michelotti
coachbuilder	Carrozzeria Vignale
engine	Cisitalia Inline-4 w/Dry Sump Lubrication
position	Front Longitudinal
aspiration	Twin DR4SP Weber Carburettors
valvetrain	Pushrod OHV, 2 Valves per Cyl
fuel feed	2 Weber 36DR4SP Carburettors
displacement	1089 cc / 66.45 in³
bore	68 mm / 2.7 in
stroke	75 mm / 3.0 in
compression	11.8:1
power	61.9 kw / 83 bhp @ 6000 rpm
specific output	76.22 bhp per litre
bhp/weight	101.47 bhp per tonne
body / frame	Aluminum Body over Boxed Steel Chassis
driven wheels	RWD
wheel type	Borrani Wires
front tires	5.00×15
rear tires	5.00×15
front brakes	Drums
rear brakes	Drums
front wheels	F 4.5 x 15 cm / 1.8 x 5.9 in
rear wheels	R 5.0 x 15 cm / 2.0 x 5.9 in
steering	Worm & Sector
f suspension	Porsche-Style Torsion Bars w/Trailing Links, Hydraulic Dampers
r suspension	Rigid Axle w/Semi-Elliptic Springs, Hydraulic Dampers
curb weight	818 kg / 1803 lbs
wheelbase	2100 mm / 82.7 in
front track	1250 mm / 49.2 in
rear track	1240 mm / 48.8 in
length	3900 mm / 153.5 in
width	1460 mm / 57.5 in
height	1165 mm / 45.9 in
transmission	4-Speed Manual
tran clutch	Single Plate Dry
final drive	3.7:1
top speed	~170.0 kph / 105.6 mph
fuel capacity	48 litres or 12.67 gal.