1965 | FIAT Abarth OT 2000

Registration number: FI7C27


*Abarth OT 2000 “Periscopio”: The Ultimate Survivor of a Vanished Breed
*
Every once in a while, a car comes along that makes you wonder: "Wait... this actually exists?"
This is one of three. Not three hundred. Not thirty. Just three. In the world. And of those three, this one is by far the most original — a true survivor from Carlo Abarth’s legendary Scorpion dynasty.

This Abarth OT 2000 "Periscopio" isn't just rare — it’s a passport into the sanctuaries of classic motorsport. Think Goodwood, Villa d’Este, Le Mans Classic — wherever you arrive in this car, the gates swing wide open. And rightly so. Because anyone who knows the story realizes: this is pure, unfiltered racing history.


*How It All Began
*
In the 1960s, Abarth stood at a crossroads. Big manufacturers started building their own high-performance models, and Abarth had to pivot. The new direction? Racing cars. Purebred machines built solely for speed and agility.
Enter the OT series — short for Omologato Turismo — lightweight beasts based loosely on Fiat platforms, but fundamentally re-engineered into something entirely different.


*But the OT 2000 Was on Another Planet
*
Building on the success of the OT 1300 — already a fearsome machine — Abarth decided to go even wilder: a more powerful, more extreme, and infinitely rarer creation: the OT 2000. Bigger engine, more horsepower, wider track, better cooling, sleeker aerodynamics — and, visually, that iconic roof-mounted periscope designed to bring some fresh air into the boiling-hot cockpit during endurance races.

And this particular car? It was delivered new in 1966 to none other than the Ford family. Yes, that Ford family.


*Engine Fury
*
Instead of the 1300cc unit used in the OT 1300, the OT 2000 featured a larger, angrier powerplant. As was often the case with Abarth (not exactly known for rigid specifications), outputs varied slightly — but this machine pushed around 200 horsepower. In a car weighing less than 700 kilograms (1,540 pounds)!
The result? A ballistic missile on wheels, all wrapped in a body that looks like it leapt straight off the pages of a graphic novel.


*Body and Design
*
The body is a lightweight cocktail: lots of fiberglass for minimal weight, aluminum for rigidity, and just enough steel for structural integrity. Every inch of this car is a lesson in efficiency and speed.
The “periscope” on the roof isn’t just a stylistic gimmick — it’s functional, channeling cool air into the cockpit during those grueling long-distance races. Hence the nickname: Periscopio.

As for the design, while it carries a faint resemblance to a Fiat 850, make no mistake — everything else is radically different. Lower, wider, meaner. And when you catch a glimpse of that distinctive stepped rear end and those flared fenders, you know instantly: this is no Fiat. This is a Scorpion. A predator.


*What Makes This Example Unique?
*

- Out of the three ever built, this is the only one still in original condition, both inside and out.
- Full ownership history known, accompanied by extensive documentation.
- Originally sold to the Ford family — the kind of provenance you normally only find in legends.
- Eligible for prestigious events: Concours d’Elegance, Tour Auto, Goodwood, and beyond.

There are few cars you can truly call living heritage. This is one of them.
The Abarth OT 2000 Periscopio isn’t just a vintage racer, a classic, or a rare collectible.
It’s all of these — and so much more.

If you’re as excited about this extraordinary OT 2000 as we are, don’t hesitate to reach out.
Contact Gallery Aaldering today — since 1975, specialists in sourcing and exporting the finest automobiles worldwide. Ask us about the export and shipping options available.