The 2024 it's the year of celebrations for 75 years old of the sports brand Abarth. The legend of the Scorpion began on March 31, 1949 when Carlo Abarth (1908 – 1979) founded the Abarth & C. with the pilot Guido Scagliarini. And the first car produced was one 204 A Roadsterderived from one Fiat 1100, who immediately won the Italian championship 1100 Sports is that of Formula 2.
Carlo Abarth driver
The fascinating story of Carlo Abarth driver began with the motorcyclesIn fact, at the age of twenty he already achieved his first successes on one Motor Thun, while the following year he built his first customized motorcycle under the Abarth brand. Unfortunately, during a competition in Linz, a accident forced him to abandon motorbikes, but he continued to race sidecara medium that he himself brought to the height of fame thanks to feats such as the challenge with the Oriente Express trainnaturally won.
But a second serious accident in 1939 forced him to abandon competitions. Right here it began “second life” by Carlo Abarth: in 1945 he moved to Merano and became a full Italian citizen.
Abarth history
After a short experience in Cisitaliain 1949, i.e. 75 years ago, the Abarth & C brand was officially born. Carlo Abarth had the intuition to combine his racing activity with the production of the famous processing kit for production cars that have increased power, speed and acceleration. In just a few years Abarth & C. reached global levels: in 1962 it produced, with a staff of 375 people, 257,000 mufflersof which 65% was destined for export.
Over the course of its 75 years, Abarth reached the peak of success at the end of the 1950s and throughout the 1960s. A Fiat Abarth 750coachbuilt by Bertone in 1956, he conquered a record of duration and speed: on 18 June, on the Monza track, he beat the 24-hour record covering 3,743 km at an average speed of 155 km/h. Then, from 27 to 29 June, on the same circuit, he set numerous records: the 5,000 and 10,000 km, the 5,000 miles and also the 48 and 72 hours.
The same car was body-built by Zagato in two different versions: the Fiat Abarth 750 Zagato (1956) and the Fiat Abarth 750 GT Zagato (1956). The “roar” of this car has reached Franklin Delano Roosevelt Jr.son of the president of the USA, who rushed to Italy to sign an exclusive distribution agreement with Abarth.
Abarth 1958
In 1958 Abarth created a true masterpiece on the new Fiat 500, completely transforming the small hatchback and maximizing its potential. An event that is the basis of the impressive list of awards to come: 10 world records, 133 international records, more than 10,000 victories on the track. The 60s were Abarth's golden decade. Saying “Abarth” meant saying “speed”, “courage”, “performance”, “elaboration”.
And the list of cars that have carved the Abarth name in the history of motoring is truly long: from 850 TCwho won on all international circuits including the Nürburgringat the Fiat Abarth “1000 Berlina” up to 2300 Swhich on the circuit of Monza he set an extraordinary series of records despite the prohibitive weather conditions.
Fiat Abarth 1971
From the 1971 Abarth has become to all intents and purposes the property of Fiat Autoand the last car in whose creation the founder of the brand actively participated was the A112 Abarth.
During the 80s the story continued with famous cars such as the Fiat 131 Abarthworld rally champion, and the Abarth pace. Carlo Abarth passed away on 24 October 1979.
Abarth 2008
In 2008, Abarth was relaunched with a new line of sports cars, with models such as theAbarth Grande Punto (2007) and theAbarth 500 (2008)accompanied by performance kits and racing versions such asAbarth Grande Punto Rally Super 2000 and theAbarth 500 Assetto Corse.
Since then, numerous models have been introduced, including theAbarth 695 Tributo Ferrari (2010)L'Abarth 595 Yamaha Factory Racing (2015)L'Abarth 695 Biposto Record (2015)L'Abarth 695 Rivale (2017)L'Abarth 124 Spider (2016)L'Abarth 124 GT and the new range Abarth 595 (both in 2018), up to the prestigious one Abarth 695 70th Anniversary with new Variable Trim Spoiler.
In 2020, the Abarth “70th Anniversary” range was presented with models such as theAbarth 595 esseesse and theAbarth 124 Rally Tribute. In more recent years, special series have been launched Abarth 695 Tributo 131 Rally and the new Abarth 500ecompletely electric, together with theAbarth Pulsethe brand's first SUV, andAbarth Fastback.
The new one was introduced in 2024 695 75th Anniversarya limited edition of just 1368 pieces, and was announced the new Abarth 600e with 240 HPwhich promises to be the most powerful series-production Abarth, in a limited edition 1,949 unitsthe result of the collaboration with Stellantis Motorsport.
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