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When FIA World Rally Championship began in 1973, Fiat had already been running the 124 under name of 124 Sport Spyder with some success. For 1973 season, an improved version with larger engine was launched but even with that, car had inferior power-to-weight ratio compared to Renault-Alpines that dominated the season. It was able to win only once, in arduous conditions of Polish Rally.
Fiat recognized the need for more power and already a year later engine was enlarged by 76 cc to 1832 cc and 16-valve cylinder head was installed - these modifications increased the power from 165 to 180 horsepower. That was not enough when Renault-Alpine had similar power but 200 kg lighter car and Lancia had as heavy car but with 240 hp.
The final rallying version of the Fiat 124 was rolled out for 1975 San Remo, now equipped with fuel injection and producing 210 hp. Power-to-weight ratio improved but Lancia Stratos was still far ahead, eventually forcing Fiat to withdraw to develop their next car.
Note: all technical data below is for 8-valve version.
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| Debut WRC event: | Monte Carlo 1973 |
| Best WRC result: | 1st by Achim Warmbold in Poland 1973
1st by Raffaele Pinto in Portugal 1974
1st by Markku Alen in Portugal 1975 |
| Rallies contested: | 31 | (major entries) |
| WRC starts: | 91 | (major entries) |
| Outright wins: | 3 | (wins to rallies ratio 9.7%) |
| Podiums: | 14 | (podiums to starts ratio 15.4%) |
| DNF's: | 48 | (DNF's to starts ratio 52.7 %) |
| Points scored: | 226 | (manufacturer championship points) |
| Avg points per rally: | 7.3 | |
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| Group and class | Group 4 |
| Engine |
| Location: | Front longitudinal |
| Turbo: | No |
| Cylinders: | 4 in line |
| Valves: | 8 |
| Bore x stroke: | 84.0 x 79.2 mm |
| Cubic capacity: | 1756 cc |
| Power: | 165 hp |
| Torque: | 162 Nm |
| Compression ratio: | 10.5:1 |
| Dimensions |
| Length: | 3910 mm |
| Width: | 1630 mm |
| Height: | 1240 mm |
| Wheelbase: | 2280 mm |
| Front track: | 1413 mm |
| Rear track: | 1400 mm |
| Weight: | 980 kg |
| Transmission |
| Drive: | RWD |
| Gears: | 5 |
| Sequential: | No |
| Clutch plates: | 1 |
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Fiat 124 Abarth - a production version (official Fiat PR picture)
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Fiat 124 Abarth - rally version
(Photo: ClassicCars.com)
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