This isn't an Abarth or a Fiat modified by Abarth. It it an ordinary 500 modified by someone private. You can see it on a lot of details. The most significant "device" that is missing is the instrument cluster. A instrument cluster in original is a very expensive thing!
@850SpecialFiat I will correct the title...unless you are familiar with the Fiat Abarth, it's easy to believe what looks like an Abarth to be one..Thanks for the information! :) Jack
I recently passed a new US Fiat 500 on the highway. Cute little car, key word LITTLE. Years ago while on the highway, I came upon an accident. A first generation Honda Civic was jambed, tangled and crushed under the trailer of an 18 wheeler. Car parts and white sheets were all about the scene. Fiat 500, cute little car, key word, IMO, dangerously LITTLE.
@46619TAB Hey, Terry! Well, you put your finger on a problem of mismatch of vehicles on our highways...there is no question that in a battle between a semi and a car, especially a small car, the truck will win. However, within the sphere of minicars, the Fiat has tested well. I propose using semis for local delivery, with long hauls done with trailers carried by the railroads. It's not perfect, but it may be better than what we have. Thanks! :) Jack
This one sure is in nice shape and that shade of red is interesting. These may not have had the top speed of a Corvette, but on a tight course the Corvette would be far behind. Fiat made some great sporty cars in the 60s but Italian bosses would not support their dealers and consequently the dealers could not support their customers. Hopefully Fiat learned their lesson. Anyway this sure is one cute little sporty car.
@cheddyrod Hey, Chester! One viewer mentioned the car is not authentic Abarth..so be it, but no doubt it has been modified along Abarth lines. Good point about the flubbed support for dealers and customers...time will tell whether Fiat has learned their lesson. Thanks! :) Jack
@Seattlecarnut This species of Fiat is like Italy's Mini Cooper. Very sharp, potentially very quick, but just as cute. They're also a solid little machine, built of thick Italian steel. The modern version is a bit like the modern Mini; taking the basic styling cues, but improving everything under the skin
@Mechknight73 I prefer this version of the Fiat Abarth than the new version. I like the rear engined design. I prefer the vintage Mini over the newer Mini.
@Seattlecarnut I agree. A stock Fiat 500 wasn't known for blistering acceleration or razor sharp handling. Let Arbarth mess with one and it's an entirely different story. A stock classic Mini handled well, could accelerate reasonably well, but not anything like say a Corvette's 1/4 mile time. But a full works Mini Cooper was a rally weapon
@Mechknight73 Probably not. But if you had the money and know how to do your own modifications to a Mini or Fiat, you could build your own Bathurst killer or Indianapolis 500 race car.
Very interesting automobile! I guess the sunroof is for people over 6ft tall LOL. Quite small cars.
Tallerico500 1 month ago
@Tallerico500 Exactly! Watch out for low overhead! LOL! Thanks! :) Jack
raconter1 1 month ago
very nice oldie!!!!
baywindowsbus 1 month ago
@baywindowsbus Hey, Bay! Glad you like! Thanks! :) Jack
raconter1 1 month ago
One of my favorites....
nightmathzombieethan 1 month ago
@nightmathzombieethan Hey, Ethan! Glad you like! Thanks! :) Jack
raconter1 1 month ago
This isn't an Abarth or a Fiat modified by Abarth. It it an ordinary 500 modified by someone private. You can see it on a lot of details. The most significant "device" that is missing is the instrument cluster. A instrument cluster in original is a very expensive thing!
850SpecialFiat 1 month ago
@850SpecialFiat I will correct the title...unless you are familiar with the Fiat Abarth, it's easy to believe what looks like an Abarth to be one..Thanks for the information! :) Jack
raconter1 1 month ago
I recently passed a new US Fiat 500 on the highway. Cute little car, key word LITTLE. Years ago while on the highway, I came upon an accident. A first generation Honda Civic was jambed, tangled and crushed under the trailer of an 18 wheeler. Car parts and white sheets were all about the scene. Fiat 500, cute little car, key word, IMO, dangerously LITTLE.
46619TAB 1 month ago
@46619TAB Hey, Terry! Well, you put your finger on a problem of mismatch of vehicles on our highways...there is no question that in a battle between a semi and a car, especially a small car, the truck will win. However, within the sphere of minicars, the Fiat has tested well. I propose using semis for local delivery, with long hauls done with trailers carried by the railroads. It's not perfect, but it may be better than what we have. Thanks! :) Jack
raconter1 1 month ago
I can picture that car now on the way to a church picnic on a sunny Sunday morning in Italy with a family of six so many years ago.
HoschtonBoy 1 month ago
This one sure is in nice shape and that shade of red is interesting. These may not have had the top speed of a Corvette, but on a tight course the Corvette would be far behind. Fiat made some great sporty cars in the 60s but Italian bosses would not support their dealers and consequently the dealers could not support their customers. Hopefully Fiat learned their lesson. Anyway this sure is one cute little sporty car.
cheddyrod 1 month ago
@cheddyrod Hey, Chester! One viewer mentioned the car is not authentic Abarth..so be it, but no doubt it has been modified along Abarth lines. Good point about the flubbed support for dealers and customers...time will tell whether Fiat has learned their lesson. Thanks! :) Jack
raconter1 1 month ago
Nice looking car. I've never been a fan of Fiats, particularly of the 70s. But earlier Fiats, particularly this Abarth is nice.
Seattlecarnut 1 month ago
@Seattlecarnut This species of Fiat is like Italy's Mini Cooper. Very sharp, potentially very quick, but just as cute. They're also a solid little machine, built of thick Italian steel. The modern version is a bit like the modern Mini; taking the basic styling cues, but improving everything under the skin
Mechknight73 1 month ago
@Mechknight73 I prefer this version of the Fiat Abarth than the new version. I like the rear engined design. I prefer the vintage Mini over the newer Mini.
Seattlecarnut 1 month ago
@Seattlecarnut I agree. A stock Fiat 500 wasn't known for blistering acceleration or razor sharp handling. Let Arbarth mess with one and it's an entirely different story. A stock classic Mini handled well, could accelerate reasonably well, but not anything like say a Corvette's 1/4 mile time. But a full works Mini Cooper was a rally weapon
Mechknight73 1 month ago
Comment removed
Seattlecarnut 1 month ago
@Mechknight73 Probably not. But if you had the money and know how to do your own modifications to a Mini or Fiat, you could build your own Bathurst killer or Indianapolis 500 race car.
Seattlecarnut 1 month ago
@Seattlecarnut Hey, Jason! The little car has spirit, no doubt! It was able to do nicely on the track. Thanks! :) Jack
raconter1 1 month ago
@raconter1 So I've heard.
Seattlecarnut 1 month ago