Abarth 209 A Coupé

Vehicle Overview

The Abarth 209 A Boano Coupé is a notable example of mid-1950s Italian automotive innovation, combining the talents of Felice Mario Boano and Carlo Abarth. Built around a straightforward and compact boxed pressed-steel platform chassis, the 209 A Boano Coupé utilized much of the running gear from the contemporary Fiat 1100 model. This included the front and rear suspension and a four-cylinder engine, reflecting a blend of reliability and performance. The car’s 1,089 cc engine, equipped with the Abarth tuning kit—featuring twin Weber carburetors and a custom exhaust header—produced around 66 bhp. This power was managed through a four-speed gearbox, also sourced from Fiat. Despite the chassis not being the most sophisticated of its time, it allowed for great versatility in terms of body styles. Boano, envisioning a versatile lineup, planned three distinct body styles for the new Abarth series: the track-bound Spider (207 A), a more luxuriously appointed Convertible (208 A), and the Abarth 209 A Boano Coupé. Giovanni Michelotti, the famous designer, penned the basic lines for these models. The design featured tall front and rear fenders, small circular headlights, and exposed stainless steel side-exhausts, which highlighted Abarth’s craftsmanship. The 207 A Spider was particularly striking, with a wrap-around windshield for the driver only and a faired headrest, emphasizing its track-oriented nature. Road-going versions, including the 208 A Convertible and the 209 A Coupé, sported small pop-up headlights on the nose, which were among the first of their kind and added to the car’s innovative appeal. During his tenure as the chief designer at Ghia, Mario Felice Boano had developed strong connections with American clients, and it was no surprise that he targeted the lucrative American sports car market when he established his own carrozzeria in 1954. Partnering with Carlo Abarth, who had emerged as a specialist manufacturer after the dissolution of Cisitalia, Boano aimed to create an all-Italian machine suited to American tastes. Their collaboration brought together Boano’s design expertise and Abarth’s mechanical ingenuity, resulting in the distinctive and versatile Abarth 209 A Boano Coupé, a testament to their combined vision and craftsmanship.