Abarth’s symbol is a stylized scorpion. That’s appropriate because the Italian race-tuning company puts a sting in Fiat’s tail.
Austrian Karl “Carlo” Abarth had a lot in common with the British John Newton Cooper, who performed similar services for the Austin Mini. Abarth had an even harder job. Instead of the 850-cc Mini, he started with the tiny half-liter Fiat 500. What’s offered on eBay in Miami, Florida, with a $22,000 Buy It Now is an impeccable example of Abarth’s work, based on a 1971 Fiat 500.
The Abarth & C company was founded in 1949 in Bologna. It was always heavily involved in racing, producing highly competitive cars and parts for such marques as Cisitalia, Lancia, and Simca. The company’s tight relationship with Fiat began in 1952.
The company’s bread and butter was producing tuning kits and high-performance exhausts (260,000 were sold by 1962).
Correct to the Tiniest Detail
What’s unclear from the current eBay listing is when the car on offer was transformed. It started life as a 500 from near the end of the second generation’s life (which concluded in 1975). It was then custom-built in Italy into an ultimate Abarth with a 650-cc engine, Weber carb, four-speed manual transmission. Of course, there’s an Abarth exhaust. This is a 500 F, with the front-hinged doors that debuted in 1965.
The interior is highly detailed.
The Black Pearl (with red accents) exterior features a full body kit with fiberglass hit, rear spoiler, and a removable panel where the sunroof once resided. What’s remarkable about the car is not so much the specs as the detailing, correct down to the tiniest detail.
No finish flaws are visible. The impeccably clean red-and-black interior wears new sport bucket seats and a fiberglass dashboard with circular gauges. There’s an Abarth shifter with eyeball scorpion knob, sport wheels, and a special steering wheel. The list continues with cutoff switches, an electric fuel pump, power windows, and a modern stereo.
Background: Abarth and the Cinquecento
Fiat released the second, 1,100-pound 500 (Cinquecento) city car in 1957. It was perfect for Carlo Abarth, who turned the docile 500 into the potent Abarth 595 (later 695). The compression ratio was raised, a Weber 26 IMB carb added, and the fuel system was optimized. And of course, there was an Abarth intake and exhaust system, plus wider wheels and tires.
The 500 engine was jettisoned for a 650-cc unit.
A classic Abarth touch was the company plaque fitted between the trunk lid and bumper to let in more cooling air for the rear engine. Output went from 13 to 26 horsepower. The newly potent car won 900 races by 1965.
Fiat purchased Abarth in 1971, and the brand was re-launched in 2007. The Fiat 500 Abarth premiered at the 2011 Los Angeles International Auto Show. Today, you can buy a reborn 595 turbo offering 145 horsepower and zero to 62 mph in 7.8 seconds. It’s based on the front-engine, Panda-based 500 introduced on the 50th anniversary of the original model.
A Potent Ultra-Clean Fiat Abarth
The owner of the eBay car admits to “imperfections from your regular driving wear and tear,” but they’re not easily seen.
The car benefits from a full body kit.
“Mechanically the car is sound” the owner says. “You’d better get used to a crowd forming around you with this car wherever you go.” An accompanying driving and idling video confirms not only that the Abarth is in rude good health, but that it has an intoxicating exhaust note.
More than 180 watchers are keeping an eye on this perky Abarth. Keeping it on the road shouldn’t be difficult, because eBay supports both Fiat and Abarth. There are 500 cars (both old and new models), Fiat Abarths, and Abarth parts (from floor mats to door handles).
Fans of pocket rockets should take a close look at this potent package.
