SQUADRA Abarth & Rally Collection

Located in Lier near Antwerp, SQUADRA Abarth & Rally Collection is the successor to the Abarth Works museum, an initiative of Guy Morenhout. A Belgian driver and tuner, Guy used to race Abarth (as well as other car brands) and continues to take part in historic rallies to keep his cars alive and kicking.

The museum opened in April 2025 in a brand-new building, built especially for the purpose. The quality of the interior architecture is particularly noteworthy, with large, open plateaus offering wide, plunging views of the collections. This open architecture also brings in plenty of light, making for a very pleasant visit.

Cars

As its name suggests, SQUADRA Abarth & Rally Collection has 2 main themes: Abarth models and rally cars. Some of the cars, of course, correspond to both themes, since Abarth specialized in sports models. The Squadra Collection also exhibits other brands, notably Italian (Fiat, Lancia, Alfa Romeo), but also Porsche and Saab, for example. Rarer in car museums, Lada cars are also on display, as Guy Morenhout prepared these cars for competition and raced them.

The permanent collection comprises some 175 cars. Among the Abarths are coupes and barquettes designed and built by Carlo Abarth, such as the Fiat Abarth 750 coupe (including a Zagato version), and the 595 Abarth, derived from the Fiat 600 and recognizable by its open rear hood (the beast had to be cooled). Carlo Abarth collaborated extensively with manufacturers such as Fiat and Simca, many of whose models can be seen here. Fiat models include the 2300 S coupé, the race-prepared X1/9, and the 124 coupe Rallye and 131 Rallye, which competed successfully in world championship rallies.

Also worthy of mention are the Simca 8 Sport coupe (designed by Pininfarina), Simca Abarth 1300 coupe, or the very rare Simca Abarth 1150 SS derived from the Simca 1000. The 1924 Fiat 501 SS Corsa is the museum’s doyenne. It is based on the popular Fiat 501 of the 1920s. The Pininfarina Spidereuropa is an evolution of the Fiat 124 Spider, built by Pininfarina when Fiat stopped selling it, while the Squadra Museum’s Volumex is the ultimate version, equipped with a compressor enabling its 4-cylinder injection system to deliver 135 hp.

Let’s conclude this short selection with 2 Lada models. The Lada VFTS is based on the quiet 2015 Lada (derived from the Fiat 124), but in this Group B Rally version, it develops 180 hp! The Lada Samara Cipher is a spider based on the Lada Samara, originally designed in England in the vein of the Triumph Spitfire and MG Midget. Lada had ambitious plans for this model, but the Cipher was one of the collateral victims of the political upheavals at the end of the Soviet Union.

Besides cars

SQUADRA Abarth & Rally Collection also features a wide range of rally-related exhibits. Large photos of the cars in action decorate the walls. The Carlo Caffè (like Carlo Abarth, of course) is the perfect place to take a break, perhaps while leafing through the books in the library. In fine weather, the terrace welcomes visitors. In the store, you can buy souvenirs, books, textiles and miniatures. It is also possible to rent a room for a private event and organize a catering service. Ample parking available.