1970 Abarth 595 Coupe

Karl Abarth of Austria was born in 1908 and moved to Italy with his family just after World War I. His first car was built in 1928 at the age of only twenty. He was five times European Motorcycle champion during the 1930s. During this time, he designed his first exhaust system, which was later to become one of the specialties of the company that he founded in Italy in 1949. He was linked to manufacturers such as Porsche and Fiat. Fiat supplied partly finished cars and in return received lots of publicity. In 1955, Carlo Abarth's company found a key growth opportunity with the introduction of the 4-cylinder Fiat 600. Fiat's new family mini-sedan was a suitable base for tuning and Abarth's 750cc version of the 633cc engine, sold in derivazione or 'derivation' kits to dealers and garages for fitting into stock 600s proved very popular.

Along with being a brilliant engineer, Carlo was also a clever businessman. His affordable modified performance cars were ideal for the private entry racer. Through a sponsor partnership deal secured with FIAT, he was paid for every win or second place a FIAT-Abarth scored. In 1972, they claimed that the Abarth-modified cars had taken as many as 7,200 outright and class wins to date.

With its Fiat 500-based 595, Abarth adopted the most cost-effective method for extracting power from the small engine. It was given a big-bore cylinder block that boosted capacity from 499 to 593cc. Higher-compression pistons, re-worked inlet ports, Abarth valve covers and air filter, a specific alloy sump, a special camshaft and exhaust system, and a larger carburetor helped raise power from 22 to 30bhp, though the biggest gain was in mid-range torque.

The result of these modifications was a product that halved the standard car's acceleration times and gave the 595 a top speed in excess of 120km/h. Lowered suspension and wider wheels and tires helped the FIAT-Abarth utilize the increased performance.

The engine capacity of 593cc was just under the limit for the European 600cc racing sedan call.

This Fiat-Abarth 595 was registered by its first owner on June 20th of 1970 in Florence, carrying plate number 622984FI. It was sold to its second owner on February 13th of 1973 and in October of that year to its third keeper, when it was assigned a new plate number, 239317PG. In January 1974, March 1975, and February 1978, the Abarth changed hands again. According to documentation, registration was canceled in March of 1989, and the car was taken off the road.

At some point, the FIAT was rebuilt and returned to the road. It rides on Abarth-style replica 'spider' alloy wheels, a period-style instrument pod with auxiliary gauges, a padded rim small-diameter Abarth steering wheel, and a short-throw shift lever. It has a folding sunroof, a 595cc air-cooled twin-cylinder engine, and a four-speed manual transmission.

In 2013 this car was offered for sale at Bonhams Auction in Scottsdale, Arizona. The car was estimated to sell for $35,000 - $45,000. Bidding failed to satisfy the vehicle's reserve. It would leave the auction unsold.

By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2013