1965 Abarth OT 2000 Coupé Periscopio

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.

* Most original 'OT 2000 Persicopio' of the three ever built
* A true survivor of the Fiat Abarth dynasty
* The documentation file accompanying the whole history
* An entry pass into many of the world's most prestigious historic and classic car motor race meetings and concours events
* "Sold to the Henry Ford family in 1966"