Story by Sean Smith
From the VeloceToday Archives, September 2017
When
fiat abarth
Fiat: Thirty Years of Progress Reviewed
Review by Pete Vack
All images from the book
At his home in old Wales near an ancient Norman castle, David Beare, historian extraordinaire, does his own thing and we are glad of this, because of his wonderful look at the flat twins of Panhard published in 2012, a two part history of Hispano Suiza and Pegaso published in 2017, and his comprehensive look at Fiat, Volume 1, which was completed early last year.
And we are now very happy to see that Fiat Volume 2, which takes the narrative from 1950 to 1979, has been finished and is available worldwide. In Volume 1, we enjoyed Beare’s use of colorful graphics, interesting anecdotes, and his knack of including social history as a means of background and to provide a deeper understanding of the forces that shaped the history of the company. [Read more…] about Fiat: Thirty Years of Progress Reviewed
Racing Fiats in the U.S.
By Karl Ludvigsen
This article was originally published in three parts at a length of 4,500 words in 2009. Links to the original articles are posted at the end of this article.
Louis Chevrolet, Louis Wagner and Walt Hansgen are among the best-known racing drivers the world has seen. What do they have in common with Don Parkinson, Pietro Bordino and Paul Richards? Just this: all of them were race winners in America driving Fiat-or Fiat-based racing cars. For over a century Americans and racing Fiats have been linked together in the world of auto competition. [Read more…] about Racing Fiats in the U.S.
Fiat Abarth 124
Story by Sean Smith
Photos by Sean Smith unless othewise noted
Fiat made a big splash when they returned to our shores with the new 500. It was small, it was fun it had the proper retro look and it had Italian flare. We then got smacked upside the head with the Abarth version. A modern take on Carlo Abarth’s legacy – make Fiats go faster!
Fiat then reintroduced the 124 in three versions Classica, Lusso, and Abarth. It was time to see if the new creation lived up to the name, but first I wanted to go back a ways and see what an early 124 Abarth was like. I found a true believer, Mark Everett and his 124 Abarth Rally. [Read more…] about Fiat Abarth 124
The Devil is in the Details
Story and color photos by Philippe H. Defechereux
Speed demons of America, beware! You are about to be left in the dust!
This deceptively cute little egg-shaped machine, which just landed on U.S. shores at summer’s end, can hold its own against much more powerful cars, including exotics, on any race track our great country offers for trained racing drivers. The two words “race track” in the preceding sentence offer you the only good news: it won’t shame your speeding illusions on public roads, as it is FIA-equipped and approved, and not street-legal. It’s a pure-bred racer. [Read more…] about The Devil is in the Details
Maurizio’s Abarths
Story by Sean Smith
When Santo Spadaro of Dominick European Cars tells you “I have a few cool Fiat-Abarths I think you would like to see,” the only sane answer is “Where, and when?” [Read more…] about Maurizio’s Abarths
Fiat X1/9 Prototipos Today
The best-known Fiat Abarth X1/9 prototipo, the chassis 128 AS 0023003 and the article's author.
Story and photos by Roberto Motta
Last week Roberto Motta described the rally successes of the X1/9 prototipo: This week he photographs two of these rare Fiats and wonders where the rest are…perhaps you can help!
The Fiat X1/9 provided a good basis for a new rally car: mid- engine, good weight distribution, excellent handling, a strong 16 valve engine and top speed of 200 km/h were the makings of a winner.
However, the Protoipo’s history is still shrouded by some mysteries. For example, we are not sure how many chassis were really built.
The first car was the chassis #128 AS 0000133. This car is still in Italy.
Then in the summer of 1974, Abarth prepared five new chassis with a numerical sequence from #128 AS 0023001 to #128 AS 0023005. The first three chassis numbers were definitely registered on September 4th, 1974.
Some years ago, the author endeavored to photograph three of these cars. All these car were found in Italy, near Torino;
#23001 Deila’s car which can be seen below.
#23002 Seen in a Volta, Italy, work shop.
#23003 Macaluso’s car and the first subject car here.
#23004 Legend says that in the chassis series, there was the ‘stradale’ and another spare chassis that was never used in race events. Some think #23004 would have been the stradale chassis, but I never seen the car. Reportedly, this car was in the Al Cosentino workshop, and some years ago the car was sold. Cosentino claims to have bought at least one, but never provided the chassis number.
Periscopes were all the craze at Cosentino's new Faza headquarters..apparently at least one of the prototipos found its way into his hands.Is it 23004?
There are many images of this car, but no one has confirmed the chassis number.
The second mystery is about #23005; was really built? If so, where is the chassis today?
Any reader that has some information or documentation that can help to solve the mystery can send a comment to VeloceToday.
The lateral image show us how aggressive a car can become a car after the 'Abarth Treatment'.
Rear wheels had a size of 8.0 x 13 with tires of 235/55/13, or 10 x 13 with 270/40/13 tires.
Rear engine air intake.
Fiat Abarth X1/9 Prototipo
Fiat Abarth X1/9 prototipo, chassis 128 AS 0023003.
Story and color photography by Roberto Motta
The Fiat Abarth X1/9 prototipo made a brief, but impressive, appearance in the rally World during the 1970s, but as soon it was competitive, it became the victim of Fiat politics. The history of the Fiat Abarth X1/9 prototipo started at the end of ’73 season, when the Fiat’s Rally Competition department began work on the project that would replace the 124 Abarth Rally.
The X1/9 in road version, compared with the 'prototipo'. Here it is driven by the test driver Giorgio Pianta.The car was entrusted for the Swiss F1 driver Clay Regazzoni and the co-driver Gino Macaluso at the 1974 Giro d'Italia Automobilistico.
The Competition department was manned by Renzo Avidano, Abarth’s Director, Giulio Lampredi, the engine designer, Mario Colucci, chassis expert, Giorgio Pianta, the test driver and Gino Macaluso, one of the best Fiat Rally Team’s co-driver and future Fiat Sport Director.
The X1/9 1300cc and the aggressive 'prototipo.'
The first car used for the project was the Chassis 128 AS 0000133 and registered with the license plate number TO H29040. The car featured here is one of the Fiat X 1/9s used in the press presentation, on November 26th, at the Targa Florio’s roads. [Read more…] about Fiat Abarth X1/9 Prototipo
Fast Tracking the New Fiat Abarth
By Brian Winer
A VT contributor recently drove a Fiat 500c but admitted later that the speed was lackluster because he failed to press the “Sport” button. Recently, I rectified that by not only driving a 2013 Fiat 500 Abarth hatchback, but driving the diminutive car on a race track at the limits of the tires, the car, and the driver.
The occasion was the annual Track Days sponsored by the Motor Press Guild. These track tests are a little like speed dating—five minutes to get to know each gal. You tend to like the last one you were with, until the next one. During the busy day, we also were able to test drive the Fiat Abarth’s competition so were able to get some idea of where the new Fiat stood with its peers.
[Read more…] about Fast Tracking the New Fiat Abarth
Abarth Guy
An Abarth High in the Low Countries
Fiat Abarth 124 Rally cars in the Abarth Works Museum.
No one in the low countries quite compares to Guy Moerenhout, a enthusiast and garage owner with a distinct taste for things Abarth. In fact, there is probably no one in Europe with an Abarth inventory of parts, knowledge and cars under one roof, with 3500 square meters of space located in Belgium.
The official address is Guy Moerenhout Racing, Industriestraat 1-2500, Lier Belgium, between Antwerp and Brussels. We might add that there is a threefold purpose to Guy’s place–to sell cars, parts, as a garage and now, Guy is the proud owner of the “Abarth Works Museum” under the same huge roof in Lier. And if you are anywhere in the area, be sure to drop by–you will be amazed! [Read more…] about Abarth Guy
Advertising Abarth
Last week we received the latest edition of Classic and Sportscar magazine, a bit late but always nice to see our VeloceToday ad in the back pages. When I picked it up, an insert fell out–and when I looked down on the floor to see what it was, a familiar set of eyes peered back at me.
Did I know this man? Maybe it’s a Wanted by Scotland Yard poster, or someone is lost, like the kids on the milk cartons. But as it came into focus I could tell it was Karl Abarth.
[Read more…] about Advertising Abarth
New Abarth Assetto Corse Takes to the Track
Photo FIAT Auto press
FIAT Abarth 500 Assetto Corse is a real baby racer
Story and photos by Roberto Motta
Coming soon to a Chrysler dealer near you? That would be great, for the Abarth 500 Assetto Corse would make an neat showroom package. Abarth has come back to the track with its new baby 130 mph supersportscar that is named after the famous line of Abarth “Assetto Corsa” (race trim or race ready) models built in the 1960s. [Read more…] about New Abarth Assetto Corse Takes to the Track