Abarth 209A Boano Coupé

The Abarth 209A Boano Coupé was a prototype that Abarth built in 1955, of which only one example was made, now displayed at the Louwman Museum. In 1954 Mario Felice Boano, then working at Ghia, wanted a sports car for the American market and turned to Carlo Abarth, drawing the car with the help of Giovanni Michelotti while Abarth handled the mechanics. Most components came from the Fiat 1100, including the suspension, gearbox and 1.1 litre engine, with Abarth carburettors and exhaust lifting output to 66 hp from the 36 hp of the Fiat unit, for a top speed of 186 km/h. It was shown with the 208A at the 1955 Turin show, then at Geneva and Chicago. Abarth importer Tony Pompeo ordered twelve cars, but it never entered series production.