Nuvolari’s End, Ushered in Abarth’s Birth

Nearly 70 years ago to the day, on April 10, 1950, the great champion Tazio Nuvolari ended his racing career behind the wheel of a Abarth 204A, the first model constructed by Carlo Abarth. The time trial ran from the Sicilian capital of Palermo, up Monte Pellegrino, a steep, evocative climb, featuring multiple hairpin bends on tarmac. The starting grid included the “Squadra Carlo Abarth” team, with Tazio Nuvolari behind the wheel of an Abarth 204A, a two-seater racing car with an impressive 1,100-cc engine. The champion took on the course with his characteristic zeal, finishing with a victory in his class and in fifth place overall.

The friendship between Carlo Abarth and the great champion began soon after WWII, when Nuvolari – who already had 55 victories in international Grands Prix under his belt – drove for Piero Dusio’s Cisitalia, with Carlo Abarth leading the racing team. When Dusio sold his racing cars to Abarth, before he emigrated to Argentina, Abarth knew he could count on the support of Nuvolari, who also took on the role of spokesman for his tuning kits and mufflers.