Alfa Romeo 4C-based 1300 OT pays homage to Abarth icon

The Alfa Romeo 4C may be out of production in 2020, but Sterantis continues to introduce new cars based on its carbon fiber chassis. The latest is the Abarth Classique 1300 OT, which pays homage to the 1960s Fiat Abarth OT 1300 racing car.

This contemporary car was developed by Sterantis' official Heritage Department as the latest project of the Reloaded by Creators program. While the program restores classic cars and launches special series from time to time, such as the Abarth Classique 1300 OT, the various projects are not commissioned by individuals. Instead, they are planned by Sterantis staff.

A previous project was the 2021 Fiat Abarth 1000 SP. This car also uses the 4C chassis and shares much of its design with the Abarth Classique 1300 OT. It also shares the fact that it was produced in a limited edition of only five units.

The Abarth Classique 1300 OT has a coupe body, eliminating the roadster body of the Fiat Abarth 1000 SP, and even has a small roof scoop, a nod to the scoop on the original OT 1300 that was used to keep the car cool inside. It also features a slit plexiglass rear window and a large rear grille incorporating the "Abarth" script.

The donor 4C's mechanical components remain unchanged. A 1.8-liter turbo four mounted behind the cabin produces 240 hp and drives the rear wheels via a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

The original OT 1300, like the Fiat 850 from which it borrowed its chassis, had its engine (in this case a 1.3-liter four-cylinder with 147 hp) mounted behind the rear wheels. According to Abarth, this layout was a favorite of founder Carlo Abarth.

Production of the OT 1300 began in 1965 and received FIA Group 4 approval a year after Abarth produced the minimum required 50 units. However, the OT 1300 had already been raced in various prototype classes prior to approval. The greatest success came in the 1000 km race at Monza, Italy, in early 1966, where three models took first, second, and third places; the OT 1300 continued to win races into the 1970s, cementing Abarth's reputation as a racing car constructor.