Lombardi Grand Prix

Last updated
Lombardi Grand Prix
Francis Lombardi Grand Prix Abarth front.jpg
Overview
Manufacturer Carrozzeria Francis Lombardi
Production1968–1972
Assembly Vercelli, Italy
Designer Giuseppe Rinaldi
Body and chassis
Class Sports car
Body style
Layout Rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout
Powertrain
Engine
  • 817 cc I4 (OTAS 820)
  • 843 cc Fiat 100.GB.000 I4
  • 903 cc Fiat 100.GBC.000 I4 (Abarth GP)
  • 982 cc Tigre I4 (Giannini/OTAS)
  • 1280 cc Fiat 124 I4 (Scorpione)
Transmission 4-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase
  • 2,030 mm (79.9 in) [1]
  • 2,045 mm (80.5 in) (Scorpione)
Length
  • 3,595 mm (141.5 in)
  • 3,610 mm (142.1 in) (Scorpione)
Width
  • 1,485 mm (58.5 in)
  • 1,495 mm (58.9 in) (Scorpione)
Height
  • 1,065 mm (41.9 in)
  • 1,050 mm (41.3 in) (Scorpione)
Curb weight 630–750 kg (1,390–1,650 lb)

The Lombardi Grand Prix is a small, rear-engined sports car on Fiat 850 underpinnings. It was developed by the Carrozzeria Francis Lombardi with an in-house design by Giuseppe Rinaldi. The car was built from 1968 until 1972 and was also marketed as the OTAS 820, as a Giannini, and as the Abarth Grand Prix and Scorpione. It was first shown in March 1968, at the Geneva Motor Show. [2] The design had a Kammback rear and a very low nose with flip-up headlights, and a large single windshield wiper. The pop-up headlights were electrically powered. [3] The bodywork was all steel, except the rear panel. [4] The design was originally shown as a prototype based on the front-wheel drive Autobianchi A112, and was adapted by Lombardi for the 850 sedan's floorpan. [5] At Turin 1969 a targa version was also shown; called the "Monza", this open model has a rollover bar. At least two were built but it is unknown whether any were sold. [6]

Contents

Grand Prix

The original Lombardi Grand Prix as presented had the regular 843 cc Fiat 850 engine with 37 hp (27 kW) DIN at 5000 rpm (43 hp SAE), coupled to a four-speed gearbox. Low drag resistance and weight (630 kg or 1,390 lb) meant that this was supposedly enough for a top speed of 160 km/h (99 mph). [3] Later production models had the 850 Special engine, with 47 hp (35 kW) DIN at 6400 rpm - in a period German test the maximum speed of the more powerful variant was 153.8 km/h (95.6 mph). [7] Luggage space is limited, with very little space next to the spare wheel up front and with a tiny area behind the seats. In case the electric wind-up mechanism for the headlights should fail, there is also a mechanical lever underneath the bonnet. [8] The single round tail lights are Fiat 850 Coupé units. The front suspension consists of a transverse leaf spring on the bottom and A-arms on top, while the rear received coil sprung semi-trailing arms. [9]

Interior of a 1971 OTAS 820, similar to that of other Lombardis 1971 OTAS Grand Prix 820cc interior.jpg
Interior of a 1971 OTAS 820, similar to that of other Lombardis

The Lombardi Grand Prix was built in two series: early models used the regular, metal engine cover from the Fiat 850 while the Series II has a louvred unit in black metal. The door windows are also different, being of a three-piece design (one on top, two lower pieces of which one could be slid open) while later cars have a more conventional layout with a vent window up front and a single piece which, however, could only be rolled halfway down. [6]

A Cypriot millionaire casino owner had also shown interest in the Lombardi Grand Prix around the time of its introduction. Frixos Demetriou intended to market the car in the United Kingdom and began planning for an order of 1000 cars. [10] After his death in a British Army tank accident in Cyprus, this project came to a sudden halt. [10] Only ten cars were imported into the UK, with the remaining parts languishing in storage in Turin. [11] A few unsold cars were re-exported to Cyprus in 1969 to avoid pending customs bills. [10]

OTAS and Giannini

Rear view of 1971 OTAS 820 (US) 1971 OTAS 820cc, rear right (Lime Rock).jpg
Rear view of 1971 OTAS 820 (US)

The tiny OTAS company (Officina Trasformazioni Automobili Sportive, or "Sports car conversion shop") was founded in 1969 and was a collaboration between Francis Lombardi and Franco Giannini - the son of Domenico Giannini of Giannini Automobili - allowing for a more powerful, Giannini-engined Grand Prix model to be marketed abroad. [2] The resulting OTAS Grand Prix has a tuned, 982 cc twin-cam "Tigre" engine. In Italy, this model was sold as the "Giannini 1000 Grand Prix" (beginning in 1969). [12] In a very convoluted operation, Francis Lombardi sold engineless cars to Giannini, while Giannini sold their engines to OTAS for sale outside of Italy. [5]

Front view of 1971 OTAS 820 1971 OTAS Grand Prix 820cc fL.jpg
Front view of 1971 OTAS 820

Responding to interest in the important North American market, OTAS also sold the Grand Prix in the United States and in Canada as the "OTAS Grand Prix 820cc", to give the tiny car its full name. Going on sale in 1970 it was fitted with the same down-sleeved 817 cc (49.9 cu in) version of the inline-four engine as used in federalized Fiat 850s to get beneath 50 cubic inches, thereby avoiding the need to carry emissions controls equipment. Sources differ; either sixty-five of these cars were brought to North America or as many as a hundred. Fiat 850 chassis numbers were retained for the OTAS 820. [13] Importer John Rich of Glendale, California, also offered tuneup kits directly and Siata International in New Jersey imported nine of the bigger Tigre-engined cars before the strictures of the EPA put a halt to such activities. [2] This was the first car to have US sales curtailed by the EPA. [14] The OTAS was sold until 1971, when the company shut its doors following homologation troubles. The car never sold particularly well, being expensive considering its performance and with a tendency to overheat. [14]

Abarth models

1969 Abarth 1300 Scorpione Classic Cars in Tenerife 2021 337.jpg
1969 Abarth 1300 Scorpione

Along with other tuners (such as Giannini), Carlo Abarth also had a look at the Grand Prix. Abarth's version, first seen at the 1968 Paris Motor Show, received a tuned version of the larger 903 cc engine from the recently introduced Fiat 850 Sport Coupé/Sport Spider. The resulting variant has a claimed 52 PS (38 kW), providing performance more suitable to the sporting bodystyle and name. [11] For better cooling than the original Lombardi and OTAS, Abarth mounted the cooler up front, in the air stream. [14]

In 1970 Abarth showed the considerably more powerful "Abarth 1300 Scorpione", what was to be Abarth's last independently developed car. [15] Equipped with a version of the Fiat 124s 1.2 litre engine, bored out by 2.5 mm for a total of 1280 cc, this model has 75 hp (55 kW) DIN and only moderately more weight, ranging from 680 to 750 kg (1,500 to 1,650 lb) depending on the source. In a 1970 road test by Auto, Motor und Sport , the Scorpione reached 175.6 km/h (109.1 mph), [7] close to the claimed 180 km/h (112 mph). [16] There is also mention of a 982 cc Abarth 1000 OT-engined version of the Scorpione. [2] The Scorpione had a special Abarth-made bell housing, to allow matching the 124 engine to the four-speed 850 gearbox. [17]

Abarth's Mario Colucci also developed the 100 hp (74 kW)Scorpione SS. This powerful model was extensively re-engineered, with a coil-over front suspension, a reworked rear suspension, anti-sway bars front and rear, and all-wheel Girling disc brakes. Top speed is 115 mph (185 km/h). [2] This model was foreshadowed by the "Scorpione S" of 1969, which had this higher developed chassis combined with the lower powered engine. [17] With the rear-mounted heavier 124 engine weight distribution has a distinct rear bias (39/61), although this seems to have had only a modest effect on handling, limited to some front-end lift at higher speeds. [18] After Abarth was taken over by Fiat in 1971, the Scorpione was quickly cancelled. [15]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abarth</span> Italian car manufacturer

Abarth & C. S.p.A. is an Italian racing and road car maker and performance division founded by Italo-Austrian Carlo Abarth in 1949. Abarth & C. S.p.A. is owned by Stellantis through its Italian subsidiary. Its logo is a shield with a stylized scorpion on a yellow and red background.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fiat X1/9</span> Motor vehicle

The Fiat X1/9 is a two-seater mid-engined sports car designed by Bertone and manufactured by Fiat from 1972–1982 and subsequently by Gruppo Bertone from 1982–1989.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fiat 500</span> Motor vehicle

The Fiat 500 is a rear-engined, four-seat, small city car that was manufactured and marketed by Fiat Automobiles from 1957 until 1975 over a single generation in two-door saloon and two-door station wagon bodystyles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fiat Punto</span> Motor vehicle

The Fiat Punto is a supermini car (B-segment) produced by the Italian manufacturer Fiat from 1993 to 2018, spanning over three generations. The third generation of the car was marketed between 2005 and 2009 as the Grande Punto, and between 2009 and 2012 as the Punto Evo, when the single-word Punto name was reintroduced. As of May 2013, nearly nine million units had been sold globally.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fiat Cinquecento</span> Car model

The Fiat Cinquecento is a front engine front-wheel-drive, four passenger, three door hatchback city car, manufactured and marketed by Fiat from 1991 to 1998 over a single generation. It was manufactured at Fiat Auto Poland, which had manufactured its predecessor the Fiat 126.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fiat Ritmo</span> Motor vehicle

The Fiat Ritmo is a small, front-engine, front-wheel drive family car manufactured and marketed by Fiat, launched in April 1978 at the Turin Motor show and offered in 3- and 5-door hatchback and cabriolet body styles – from 1978 to 1988 with two facelifts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fiat 131</span> Family sedan

The Fiat 131 is a family sedan manufactured and marketed by Fiat from 1974 to 1984 after its debut at the 1974 Turin Motor Show. Available as a two-door and four-door saloon and 5-door estate across a single generation, the 131 succeeded the Fiat 124.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fiat Seicento</span> City car

The Fiat Seicento is a city car produced by the Italian company Fiat, introduced at the end of 1997 as a replacement for the Fiat Cinquecento, although it was also based on the Cinquecento. The Seicento did not differ much from its predecessor, retaining the same engines, chassis and general dimensions, although it did gain a minor 90 mm in length.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fiat 600</span> Motor vehicle

The Fiat 600 is a rear-engine, water-cooled city car, manufactured and marketed by Fiat from 1955 to 1969 — offered in two-door fastback sedan and four-door Multipla mini MPV body styles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lancia Montecarlo</span> Motor vehicle

The Lancia Montecarlo is a Pininfarina-designed mid-engined sports car produced by Lancia in Italy from 1975 to 1981.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lancia Rally 037</span>

The Lancia Rally was a mid-engine sports car and rally car built by Lancia in the early 1980s to compete in the FIA Group B World Rally Championship. Driven by Markku Alén, Attilio Bettega, and Walter Röhrl, the car won Lancia the manufacturers' world championship in the 1983 season. It was the last rear-wheel drive car to win the WRC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fiat 124 Sport Coupé</span> Motor vehicle

The Fiat 124 Sport Coupé is a two-door, four-seater notchback coupé produced by the Italian automaker Fiat in three generations between 1967 and 1975. It was based on the Fiat 124 saloon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fiat 124 Sport Spider</span> Motor vehicle

The Fiat 124 Sport Spider is a convertible sports car marketed by Fiat for model years 1966-1985. Designed by and manufactured at the Italian carrozzeria Pininfarina factory, the monocoque, front-engine, rear drive Sport Spider debuted at the November 1966 Turin Auto Show with styling by Tom Tjaarda.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Autobianchi A112</span> Motor vehicle

The Autobianchi A112 is a supermini produced by the Italian automaker Autobianchi. It was developed using a shrunken version of the contemporary Fiat 128's platform. The mechanicals of the A112 subsequently underpinned the Fiat 127. It was introduced in November 1969, as a replacement for the Bianchina and Primula, and was built until 1986, when it made way for the more modern Autobianchi Y10. Over 1.2 million A112s were produced in Autobianchi's Milan factory.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fiat 850</span> Motor vehicle

The Fiat 850 is a small rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive car manufactured and marketed by Italian car manufacturer Fiat from 1964 to 1973.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fiat 500 (2007)</span> Motor vehicle

The Fiat 500 is an A-segment city car manufactured and marketed by the Fiat subdivision of Stellantis since 2007. It is available in hatchback coupé and fixed-profile convertible body styles, over a single generation — with an intermediate facelift in Europe with model year 2016. The 500 is internally designated as the Type 312 by FCA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Simca 1000</span> Motor vehicle

The Simca 1000 is a small, rear-engined, four-door saloon which was manufactured by the French automaker Simca from 1961 to 1978.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fiat-Abarth 750</span>

The Fiat-Abarth 750 is a compact sporting series of automobiles manufactured by the Italian manufacturing firm Abarth & C. of Turin, Italy in the 1950s and 1960s. The cars used the floorpan and often the bodywork of the Fiat 600 but were fitted with Abarth's modified engines. Abarth also offered a number of bodyworks by other designers for the 750 and its derivatives, most famously Zagato but also Allemano and others.

Giannini Automobili S.p.A. is an Italian tuning company and a former producer of cars. Their focus has mainly been on Fiat cars. It was founded in 1920 by brothers Attilio and Domenico Giannini. The company headquarters are in Rome, Italy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carrozzeria Francis Lombardi</span>

The Carrozzeria Francis Lombardi was founded in 1947 in Vercelli, Italy, by noted pilot Carlo "Francis" Lombardi. They originally engaged in some aeronautical design, but this soon ended. Their most famous car was the Lombardi Grand Prix, which was also marketed under a variety of other names such as O.T.A.S. and Abarth. The company was closed in 1973.

References

  1. ↑ Braunschweig, Robert; et al., eds. (12 March 1970). "Automobil Revue '70" (in German and French). 65. Berne, Switzerland: Hallwag AG: 368.{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Maselko, Robert (10 July 2012). "OTAS/Lombardi Grand Prix Cars In Pennsylvania". My Car Quest. Retrieved 19 February 2014.
  3. 1 2 "Catalogue Salon de l'Auto 68". Europe Auto (in French). No. 16. Paris. 1968. p. 64.
  4. ↑ Schruf, Werner (1970). "Scharfe Zwillinge" [Sharp twins]. Auto, Motor und Sport (in German) (22): 117.
  5. 1 2 Lawrence, Mike (1991). A to Z of Sports Cars. Bideford, Devon: Bay View Books. p. 248. ISBN   1-870979-81-8.
  6. 1 2 "Lombardi Grand Prix". Lombardi Grand Prix Pagina. Retrieved 20 February 2014.
  7. 1 2 Schruf, p. 119
  8. ↑ "GT disguise on a formula car". Road Test (in Abarth Gold Portfolio , pp. 152-153). March 1970.
  9. ↑ Steele, J. B. (April 1999). "Smaller than small, but not quite tiny". European Car: 130–134.
  10. 1 2 3 Adamides, Andrew (1 March 1998). "The Gamine, the gambling king and the tank". Cyprus Mail. Archived from the original on 1 March 2014. Retrieved 20 February 2014.
  11. 1 2 Payne, John (September 1983). "Abarth Grand Prix". Thoroughbred & Classic Cars.
  12. ↑ Lawrence, p. 138
  13. ↑ "Lot 450: OTAS # 0014, 1971 OTAS Grand Prix Coupe". The Greenwich Concours d'Elegance-Collectors' Motorcars and Automobilia, including the Italian Vintage Cars Collection New York. Bonhams. 6 June 2010.
  14. 1 2 3 Milo, Raymond D (November 2000). "1971 OTAS Grand Prix". Etceterini & Friends Market Place. Portland, OR: Sports Car Market Magazine. Archived from the original on 7 June 2002.
  15. 1 2 Lawrence, p. 9
  16. ↑ Automobil Revue '70, p. 169
  17. 1 2 Kuipers, J (August 1969). "Abarth's cute 1300 Scorpion". Sports Car World (in Abarth Gold Portfolio , pp. 142-143).
  18. ↑ GT disguise on a formula car , p. 151
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.