1968 Fiat 500 Abarth 695 Replica

Karl Abarth, later known as Carlo Abarth, was born in Austria and created a small manufacturing empire in Italy during the 1950s building performance exhaust systems and parts for Fiats and other European makes. Carlo adopted his Scorpio birth sign as the logo for his company and soon evolved into a car manufacturer in his own right. Fiat most often supplied the body shells or partly completed cars, which Abarth modified and the Fiat/Abarth collaboration benefited both concerns, particularly in motor sport, since the many class victories captured by Abarth in fierce competition throughout Europe shone a favourable spotlight on Fiat's range of motor cars

Mechanically, the Abarth 595 was a vastly improved car over the standard Fiat 500 with special pistons, valves, a high-lift camshaft and large downdraft Solex or Weber carburettor. The power output increased from 22bhp at 4400 rpm to 32bhp at 6000 rpm. The suspension was stiffened and lowered and the coachwork adorned with Abarth badges inside and out. These little cars were raced, rallied, and hill climbed all over Europe and won countless saloon championships. The final evolution of the car was the 695 Abarth, capable of around 50 bhp depending on tuning.

This left-hand drive example was sold new in Sicily in 1968, and was restored by Sicilian firm 'Nar Autos' in Agrigento. Work carried out at that time included a new complete floor pan, new body panels and hand built wheel arches front & back, giving it an aggressive wide-looking stance. The 650cc engine & gearbox were also rebuilt at this time.

Finished in white, the interior, houses two Porsche Turbo seats in Burgundy, (however, the original seats are supplied with the car) and a Momo steering wheel complete the look. The Webasto sunroof has a chequer flag design and the deep dish polished wheels fit snugly under the wide arches.

Imported to the UK in 2015, this car has been MoT tested and now wears a UK registration plate. This quick little Abarth 595 replica is absolutely immaculate and sounds amazing. Probably about the most fun you can have with your clothes on!!