1972 Abarth 695 SS Berlina

Carlo Abarth introduced the 595 in 1963 which was based on the Fiat 500 D. It was meant as a sportscar that everyone could afford and enjoy. The Fiat 500 D was equipped with a vertical twin-cylinder engine that produced 18 horsepower. Abarth's version raised that figure up to 28. The next in the series was the 695 which increased horsepower even further, to 32. The 695 SS was the pinnacle of the series with its 38 horsepower engine in normal guise. A little extra fine-tuning raised that figure to over 50 horsepower.

The 695 came equipped with special cylinder castings. The exhaust ports and manifold pipes were polished. The new valve springs and revised camshaft allowed for higher engine speeds. An Abarth double outlet silencer was used in place of the original carburetor. Modifications continued throughout the engine, suspension, brakes, and most of the other mechanical components.

The yellow example shown is a 689 cc two-cylinder engine that produces 38 horsepower. It was offered for sale at the 2006 RM Auctions in Monterey, CA where it was expected to sell between $15,000-$20,000. At the conclusion of the sale, the lot was sold for $30,800.

By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2006