This 1978 Fiat 131 Abarth Works Rally is one of an estimated 47 built to “Corsa” specification for use in FIA Group 4 competition as works rally cars. Chassis 2045727 was initially registered in Torino, Italy, under number TO R92450 and was campaigned by Fiat France in World Rally Championship and French Rally Championship events through 1980. Michèle Mouton, the first and only woman to win a WRC event, drove the car to 5th overall at the 1979 and 1980 Tour de Corse as well as 7th overall at the 1980 Monte Carlo Rally. Following its early WRC career, the car passed to privateer Vittorio Carlino of Sassari, Sardinia, who campaigned it to an overall victory at the 1983 Rally di Roccaruja. It was later purchased by racing car collector and driver Fabrizio Violati in 1984, who retained ownership through the current owner’s acquisition in the mid-2010s. A subsequent refurbishment project was carried out by Rallysport Development in England with work involving stripping the body to bare metal and refinishing it in the Fiat France livery worn by the car during its final WRC appearance with Mouton at the wheel. The Tipo 131 AR.000 inline-four, five-speed manual gearbox, and self-locking differential were also overhauled as part of the project. This 131 Abarth Rally is now offered on dealer consignment in Emeryville, California, with historic photos, previous registration cards, and a bill of sale.

Launched for the 1976 season, the Fiat 131 Abarth Rally was produced in collaboration with Bertone to supersede the 124 Abarth. An estimated 400 examples were produced for homologation in FIA Group 4 competition between 1976 and 1978. While a majority of the cars were constructed as road-going “Stradale” versions, an estimated 47 “Corsa” examples were built to Group 4 specification for use as works cars. Variants of the 131 Abarth Rally clinched the World Rally Championships in 1977, 1978, and 1980, with Walter Röhrl also securing the World Rally Drivers Championship in 1980.

Designed and constructed by Bertone, the Fiat 131 Abarth Rally’s bodywork utilized plexiglass side and rear windows as well as aluminum doors and a fiberglass hood, decklid, and fender flares. The forward bodywork featured a hood intake and brake cooling ducts set within the front valance, while roof and decklid spoilers were fitted out back. Air scoops were situated in the quarter panels to aid in cooling the rear brakes.

This example was stripped to bare metal, mounted to a rotisserie, and refinished in white as part of the aforementioned refurbishment completed in the mid-2010s. It wears a red and blue livery that replicates the look of the car during its final WRC event with Michèle Mouton behind the wheel, the 1980 Tour de Corse. Carello headlamps are accompanied by driving lights up front, and further exterior details include hood pins, a roof-mounted antenna, Abarth C-pillar badging, and an exposed fuel filler in the trunk lid.

The 15″ Cromodora Abarth alloy wheels are mounted with Pirelli tires, as is a matching spare wheel stored in the trunk compartment. The independent suspension comprises front and rear MacPherson struts and anti-roll bars as well as a trailing arm setup in lieu of the solid rear axle of the standard Fiat 131. Braking is via four-wheel discs carried over from the Fiat 127. The suspension and brakes are noted to have been serviced in the course of the refurbishment process.

The cockpit is protected by a roll cage with door bars and outfitted with a pair of fixed-back bucket seats with black cloth covers and red Britax harnesses. A heater is mounted below the black dashboard, which houses various vehicle control switches and fuses. Additional equipment includes an electric shut-off switch, a passenger-side footrest, map pocket, and helmet holders behind the seats.

The two-spoke Abarth steering wheel fronts orange-letter Veglia Borletti instrumentation including an Abarth-branded 10k-rpm tachometer and auxiliary gauges. The car is equipped with a Halda Tripmaster rally odometer, which displays zero miles. Total mileage is unknown.

A fuel cell and swirl pot are located in the trunk. The fuel system is said to have been cleaned and fitted with a replacement pump in the course of the refurbishment.

The Lampredi-designed Tipo 131 AR.000 2.0-liter inline-four was tuned by Abarth for the 131 Rally and outfitted with Kugelfischer mechanical injection in Works/Corsa racing specification for an estimated output of 225 horsepower. Engine #209 in this example was rebuilt as part of the mid-2010s refurbishment. Work is noted to have involved machining and line-boring the block, skimming the cylinder head, and replacing the pistons and connecting rods along with the valve guides and seats. The engine wears Abarth-branded valve covers and features dry-sump lubrication, a Magneti Marelli distributor, and a 4-2-1 exhaust header.

Power is sent to the rear wheels through a five-speed manual transmission with a ZF self-locking differential, both of which were overhauled in the course of the refurbishment. The engine and differential are protected by aluminum skid plates, while cloth shielding is fitted ahead of the front control arms and rear trailing arms.

Images of Michèle Mouton behind the wheel of the car are presented in the gallery along with additional historic shots. She became a factory driver for Audi Sport in 1981.

Photos taken at various stages of the refurbishment process are also viewable in the gallery below.

The car does not have a title or current registration and is being offered on a bill of sale for off-road use only.