Page 1 of 2 Next >> When Fiat absorbed Abarth in the Summer of 1971, the small manufacturer effectively became Fiat's competition department. Running the successful but expensive prototype racing program was entrusted to Enzo Osella. His small company had previously already been responsible for offering customer support to privateers campaigning Abarths.
Despite the organisational changes, Osella-tweaked Abarths took five out of ten wins in the 1972 running of the highly competitive European 2-Litre Sports Car Championship. With the other manufacturers like Chevron and Lola continuously developing their cars, Osella could however not rely on the ageing Abarths for another season. Instead, he expanded his business and turned out 'his' first sports prototype ahead of the 1973 season.
In many ways still a development of the Abarth SE021, the new 'Abarth-Osella' was dubbed the PA1. This was short for 'Prototipo Alberto' in honour of former Abarth and Osella engineer Alberto Guerrato. He was also a close friend of Enzo Osella, and had just succumbed to an incurable disease. The Abarth name was retained as a reference to the engine used and also provided the customers with a sense of continuity.
The new PA1 was a wholly conventional design, built around a riveted sheet-aluminium monocoque chassis. The double wishbone suspension at the front was bolted directly at the tub. At the rear a tubular subframe was used to take the load of the multi-link suspension. Coil springs over dampers and ventilated discs were used on all four corners, while both the front and rear end featured anti-roll bars. Page 1 of 2 Next >>