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The Abarth 2 litre


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#1 Vicuna

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Posted 06 August 2004 - 20:51

In 1972 an Osella-Abarth won the Euro 2-litre Sports Car title.

Forza Arturo!

Why was that engine not an immediate contender for the new F2 rules in 1973?

This MUST have been covered before.

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#2 Ray Bell

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Posted 07 August 2004 - 00:35

Perhaps it was too heavy?

#3 Vicuna

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Posted 07 August 2004 - 07:12

Or perhaps the wrong shape.

Someone will know

#4 2F-001

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Posted 07 August 2004 - 07:49

Maybe it just wasn't good enough?
I recall being at the 1972 2-litre Group 6 race at Silverstone; until "circumstances/wet weather/virtuoso-performance-from-little-Art" intervened, Dieter Quester's BMW-engined Chevron was way faster than anything else - so the Germans were already on the case.

#5 Frank de Jong

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Posted 07 August 2004 - 08:53

There's a very simple explanation: in 1972-1975, engine blocks and heads had to be homolgated, i.e. built in a minimum amount; in group 6, that was not necessary.
The only useable engine in 1972 was the Ford BDA, 16 valves and lots of trouble. BMW was not homologated until 1973, like the Lotus engine.
In 1972, the only alternative was the Fiat Dino engine, however this had only 2 valves per cylinder.

#6 Vicuna

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Posted 07 August 2004 - 09:11

So was the Abarth not homologated in 1973 for F2?

#7 petefenelon

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Posted 07 August 2004 - 10:39

Originally posted by Vicuna
So was the Abarth not homologated in 1973 for F2?


The Abarth was a pure-bred racing engine and they weren't allowed in until '76 were they? (Renault V6 etc.).....

#8 David McKinney

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Posted 07 August 2004 - 11:21

Or to put it another way, Formula 2 engines did not have to be homolgated (ie, production)

#9 Frank de Jong

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Posted 07 August 2004 - 11:30

Originally posted by David McKinney
Or to put it another way, Formula 2 engines did not have to be homolgated (ie, production)

From 1976 onwards, yes. That's why we had Hart, Renault and Honda engines since, and a few oddities like Lancia, ROC_Chrysler and ... Abarth (a six-in-line in 1976...).

#10 Ray Bell

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Posted 08 August 2004 - 21:02

Abarth inline-6? I never heard about that one...

Anywhere I can have a look at it? I just love the howl of a straight six at full cry... when our 1600 single-cam (production based) F2 came in back in 1977, John McCormack suggested a Fiat 1800 with a bit of destroking. What a lovely thought!

#11 Mallory Dan

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Posted 09 August 2004 - 08:23

As some of you are aware, I know absolutely NOTHING about engines, or indeed anything technical. However, I do recall the Abarth V6 was tried in F2 in 1976-77, in both Lola and Pilbeam/Wheatcroft chassis. Bit of a disaster in each, I have no idea why...

#12 eldougo

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Posted 09 August 2004 - 09:15

;)
Bit of a disaster ? but it sure sounded GOOD. :smoking: at Thruxton 1976.

#13 Frank de Jong

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Posted 10 August 2004 - 20:02

The car was indeed a Wheatcroft, called P26-Abarth, engine was designated as Fiat-Abarth L6-260, an inline 6 (no V6), with 4 valves per cylinder, quoted with 316 HP/10400, 1986 cc, bore x stroke 86 x 57 mm, interesting enough exactly the same as the Ferrari Dino V6 of 1977, as used by Chevron
:confused:

#14 MCS

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Posted 10 August 2004 - 20:47

Originally posted by eldougo
;)
Bit of a disaster ? but it sure sounded GOOD. :smoking: at Thruxton 1976.


I can remember it hurt my ears - it was REALLY loud :clap:

MCS

#15 Reyna

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Posted 14 August 2004 - 03:12

The Abarth Holbay engine.

Posted Image
Source: Autosprint.

#16 MCS

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Posted 15 August 2004 - 20:35

Originally posted by MCS


I can remember it hurt my ears - it was REALLY loud :clap:

MCS


Memory slightly adrift (as usual) - I heard it (very closely indeed) at the International Trophy at Silverstone - in 77 for F2 cars. I wasn't at Thruxton in 77 - it was 78.

It was regularly warmed up in practice near to where I was in the pit garages - between Musetti's March and Lawler's Lola T462. God it was loud, but then so were the two Renault-Elfs of Arnoux and Pironi I remember.

Memo: I really must get my pictures posted...

MCS