Abarth
History
Carlo Abarth began his well-known association with Fiat in 1952, building the Abarth 1500 Biposto upon Fiat mechanicals.[1]
In the 1960s, Abarth & C. S.r.l was quite successful in hillclimbing and sports car racing, mainly in classes from 850cc up to 2000cc, competing with Porsche 904 and Ferrari Dino. Hans Herrmann was a factory driver from 1962 until 1965, winning the 500km Nürburgring in 1963 with Teddy Pilette
Later, Johann Abt was promised by Carlo Abarth that he could drive a factory car for free if he won all the races he entered—which Abt nearly did, winning 29 of 30, the 30th being a second.
Along with its racing cars, Abarth produced high-performance exhaust pipes. Later, Abarth diversified in producing various tuning kits for road vehicles, mainly for Fiat. Abarth was also associated in producing sports or racing cars with Porsche and Simca.
Abarth was sold to Fiat on July 31, 1971, and the racing team sold to Enzo Osella. Abarth became the racing department of Fiat, managed by famed engine designer Aurelio Lampredi. Some models built by Fiat or its subsidiaries Lancia and Autobianchi were co-branded Abarth, the most famous being the Autobianchi A112 Abarth. Abarth also prepared Fiat Group's rally cars like Fiat 124 Abarth and 131 Abarth. In the 80s Abarth name was mainly used to mark performance Fiats like Fiat Ritmo Abarth 130 TC. The name was almost forgotten in 1990s and in 2000s it was used like a trim/model level on FIAT cars, like the FIAT Stilo Abarth.
In 2007 Fiat Automobiles SpA relaunched the brand with the Grande Punto Abarth and the Grande Punto Abarth S2000. The brand is to be seen as a separate division to the main Fiat brand in a similar way that the Renault Sport brand is to the mainstream Renault. It is based in the Officine 83, part of the old Mirafiori engineering plant.
After years of sports competing on the continent, competition organisers announced the launch of a new Abarth 500 GB series for 2010. The competition was to represent a new high profile sponsored race series, which was staged at Oulton Park, Cheshire, on 3–5 April 2010. Building on the success of its namesake Italian and European series, the GB competition brought together a plethora of driver-talent from across the British Isles; including no less than four female entrants in Vicki Butler-Henderson, Fiona Leggate, Sarah Franklin and Cassey Watson. The GB series was developed by the competitors for the competitors; by the sponsors for the sponsors, and by the fans for the fans. All Abarth Asetto Corse cars are built in Turin, Italy, and are checked to the highest standards. They are also subject to a shakedown and test at the Fiat Group proving ground in Balocco.
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1964 Fiat Abarth 600
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Abarth cars
Cars produced by Abarth include the following models:
Abarth | ||||
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Models - Abarth 204A Berlinetta | Abarth Bialbero | Abarth 2000 Formula | Abarth 207A Spyder | Abarth Simca 1300GT | Abarth Corsa Periscope 2000 | Abarth Sport Spider Tubolare | Alfa Romeo Abarth 2000 Coupe | Autobianchi A112 Abarth | Abarth OT 1300 | Abarth Monomille | Abarth 695SS | Abarth 1000 SP | Fiat Abarth 595SS | Fiat Abarth 850TC Berlina | Fiat Abarth OT2000 Coupe | Fiat Abarth 1000TCR Berlina | Fiat Stilo Abarth | Fiat Punto Abarth | Fiat Ritmo 125 TC Abarth | Fiat Ritmo 130 TC Abarth | Fiat 124 Abarth Rally | Fiat 131 Abarth Rally | Fiat Punto Abarth (rally version only)
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See also
- For 1958 Fiat 750 Abarth Zagato see Fiat 750
- List of Formula One constructors
Concept Cars
Concept Cars by Italdesign
Books to Buy
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External links
- More Pics
- Book Review: Abarth Buyer’s Guide
- More Great info on Abarth by Etceterini.com
- A112 Abarth Club
- Official Abarth site
- http://www.abarth.be : a non commercial website about the Abarth cars of Scuderia La Fortuna
- http://dmoz.org/Recreation/Autos/Makes_and_Models/Abarth/
- Dutch Abarth Club
- Abarth Parts
- http://www.abarth.nl/ Abarth Racing
- Abarth Photos and Information
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