But the real Abarth/Fiat action starts when Fiat introduces the new 500 in 1958. The Abarth 595 was created by taking a standard Fiat 500 and giving it the full Abarth treatment, which included raising the compression ratio on the 479-cc engine, fitting a Weber carburetor, optimizing fuel and intake systems, and adding a full Abarth exhaust system. This doubled horsepower, from 13 to 26! The 595 evolved into 695. The little terrors went on to claim 900 individual race victories by 1965.
Another notable Abarth was the 750; aided by an aerodynamic body by Bertone, it set a number of endurance and speed records in 1958.
Another high-water mark for Abarth was the 1958-61 Zagato Double Bubble, which commands a cool $100,000 in today's collector car market.
Abarth also created racers from non-Fiat makes, such as Alfa Romeo, Simca and Porsche.
When Fiat bought Abarth in 1971, it became Fiat’s racing department. During that decade, the Abarth name was also assigned to various performance models based on diminutive models by Fiat and its subsidiaries. Gradually, it just became a trim line for Fiat, but was resurrected in a significant way when the newborn Fiat 500 was launched in 2007.
The Abarth badge features a scorpion, because Karl Abarth was born under the Scorpio Zodiac sign, and because it embodied his philosophy of creating cars that were “small but wicked.” He died on October 24, 1979, also under the Zodiac sign of Scorpio.
Another notable Abarth was the 750; aided by an aerodynamic body by Bertone, it set a number of endurance and speed records in 1958.
Another high-water mark for Abarth was the 1958-61 Zagato Double Bubble, which commands a cool $100,000 in today's collector car market.
Abarth also created racers from non-Fiat makes, such as Alfa Romeo, Simca and Porsche.
When Fiat bought Abarth in 1971, it became Fiat’s racing department. During that decade, the Abarth name was also assigned to various performance models based on diminutive models by Fiat and its subsidiaries. Gradually, it just became a trim line for Fiat, but was resurrected in a significant way when the newborn Fiat 500 was launched in 2007.
The Abarth badge features a scorpion, because Karl Abarth was born under the Scorpio Zodiac sign, and because it embodied his philosophy of creating cars that were “small but wicked.” He died on October 24, 1979, also under the Zodiac sign of Scorpio.
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| Photo: Fiat |
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