Timeless Stile Transatlantico: The Abarth 208 A Spyder by Boano

ONE-OFF - The end of World War II in 1945 marked the beginning of a new chapter for the automotive industry. Factories, which had been dedicated to wartime production, shifted their focus back to creating vehicles for civilian use. This shift spurred significant advancements in both engineering and design, transforming the automotive landscape and fostering innovation and creativity globally.

The 1955 Abarth 208 A Spyder by Boano featured striking rear tailfins and bright, two-tone paint schemes, capturing the spirit of the 1950s American dream. (Picture from: RMSothebys)

In post-war America, the car market thrived with vibrant and dynamic designs. Influenced by the Space Race, cars of the era featured striking rear tailfins that resembled rockets and airplanes, with each year bringing more elaborate designs. The bright, two-tone paint schemes captured the spirit of the 1950s American dream, showcased by iconic models from Chevrolet, Pontiac, Cadillac, and Ford.

The 1955 Abarth 208 A Spyder by Boano designed by Giovanni Michelotti for Carrozzeria Boano, was crafted to appeal to the American market with its stylish looks. (Picture from: Carscoops)

European car manufacturers, eager to enter the American market, began creating unique concept cars with bold, space-age designs. This fusion of American and Italian styling became known as Stile Transatlantico, with Alfa Romeo’s Berlina Aerodinamica Tecnica (B.A.T.) cars being prime examples of this innovative approach.

The 1955 Abarth 208 A Spyder by Boano’s lightweight chassis and precise handling made it a true driver’s machine. (Picture from: Auto.cz)

Abarth, an automotive company founded in 1949, was keen to make a name for itself both in Italy and internationally. Embracing the Stile Transatlantico, Abarth in collaboration with Boano created a series of distinctive cars. Among them were the racing-oriented 207 A Spyder, the road-going 208 A Spyder, and the 209 A Coupé. The 207 A had a limited production run of ten units, while the 208 A and 209 A were unique one-offs. These cars were showcased at the 1955 Turin Motor Show, underscoring Boano and Abarth’s design and engineering prowess.

The 1955 Abarth 208 A Spyder by Boano features a unique custom exhaust header mounted on the right side of the car. (Picture from: Auto.cz)

The Abarth 208 A Spyder, designed by Giovanni Michelotti for Carrozzeria Boano, was crafted to appeal to the American market with its stylish looks. However, beneath its sleek exterior, the car retained a distinctly Italian character. It featured a lightweight chassis and a small yet powerful engine. Much of its mechanical components were derived from the Fiat 1100, including the suspension and a 1,089 cc four-cylinder engine. With Abarth’s tuning kit, which included twin-Weber carburetors and a custom exhaust header, the engine produced 66 bhp.

The Abarth 208 A Spyder by Boano’s cabin features a three-spoke steering wheel, a dashboard with a set of gauges, and two seats covered in genuine black and creamy white leather, with the gear-shift lever positioned above a divider. (Picture from: Voi.id)

The 208 A Spyder found its way to the United States, imported by Tony Pompeo, a New York-based distributor for Abarth and other Italian brands. After the Turin Motor Show in 1955, it was purchased by the Du Pont brothers, heirs to a chemical fortune and avid motor racing enthusiasts, who later passed it on to a friend. The car remained unused for over 30 years until Etceterini collector Elad Shraga acquired it in 2009. Found in remarkably original condition, it underwent minor repairs to preserve its originality, with the mechanical components restored to make it roadworthy.

The 1955 Abarth 208 A Spyder by Boano is powered by a 1,089 cc four-cylinder engine enhanced with Abarth’s tuning kit, including twin-Weber carburetors, producing 66 bhp. (Picture from: Voi.id)

The Abarth 208 A Spyder was displayed only once at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance in 2013. Despite its rarity and historical significance, it remained a private treasure until it was sold to its current owner. Recently, the car received a bare-metal repaint in its original colors in Italy, supervised by Corrado Lopresto, costing over €30,000. This restoration was done to concours-level conditions, solidifying the car’s status as an icon of Stile Transatlantico and a significant piece of Abarth’s early history.

The 1955 Abarth 208 A Spyder’s status as an icon of Stile Transatlantico and a significant piece of Abarth’s early history. (Picture from: Voi.id)

The Abarth 208 A Spyder by Boano represents a remarkable blend of American and Italian design influences from the post-war era. According to Barnfinds in May 2024, the Abarth 208 A Spyder by Boano was listed among the cars auctioned privately by RM Sotheby's, with an asking price of €795,000.

Its unique history and exceptional originality make it a valuable addition to any collection, admired for its innovative design and rich heritage. As it continues to capture the imagination of automotive enthusiasts worldwide, this rare gem is poised for a future as bright as its past. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | RMSOTHEBYS | CARSCOOPS | AUTO.CZ | POSTWARCLASSIC | BARNFINDS | MODERNCARCOLLECTOR | THEMUSEUMOFCARS ]

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