Alfa Romeo
Scarabeo (OSI)

Why it matters

The Scarabeo was a 1966 rear-engined sports prototype proposed by Giuseppe Busso that tested ideas later used on the Tipo 33: a tubular chassis with fuel tanks in the side members and magnesium parts. A small production series was planned but abandoned.

How rare is it?

Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.

Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.

Production

Every figure says what it counts.

Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.

History

In early 1966, after the Tipo 33 project was handed to Autodelta, Busso proposed a rear-engined car using the Giulia GTA four-cylinder engine. The body was entrusted to OSI of Borgaro Torinese, and the first car, a silver right-hand-drive coupe, was shown at the Paris Motor Show in October 1966. A second, simplified prototype and an uncompleted barchetta followed.

The museum counts three vehicles produced; two remain in the Alfa Romeo museum, and the silver coupe is thought to be in a private collection in Canada.

Technical specifications

Engine

Transmission & drivetrain

Chassis, body & dimensions

Performance

“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.

Identification guide

How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.

The car has its 1,570 cc twin-cam four-cylinder engine mounted transversally at the rear, in one block with clutch and gearbox, with drive to the differential through a shaft at 45 degrees. The H-shaped tubular chassis uses large-diameter tubes that also contain the fuel tanks, and the rear disc brakes are mounted centrally. Front suspension was inspired by the Renault R8 layout.

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

1. 1
   Alfa Romeo Scarabeo | Stellantis Heritage Level A

   • 2 Scarabeo coupés produced

   Accessed 2026-11-12
2. 2
   Scarabeo - 1966 Level A Museo Storico Alfa Romeo

   • Vehicles produced 3
   • Rear, vertical transversal, 4 in-line cylinders
   • 4 in-line cylinders
   • cc 1570 (mm 78x82)
   • mm 78x82
   • 2 overhead camshafts with double chain control
   • 115 hp at 6000 rpm
   • Weight kg 700
   • Maximum speed Km/h 200

   Accessed 2026-11-13
3. 3
   1966 Alfa Romeo OSI Scarabeo Level C Archivio Prototipi

   • struttura a forma di H ... costruita da tubi di grande diametro
   • carrozzeria in materiale plastico montata su un telaio tubolare

   Accessed 2026-11-13