Abarth Sports Cars: Illustrated History Books & Guides

Abarth (1950-1971) - Brooklands Portfolio

Brooklands Portfolio book featuring Abarth models from the years 1950-1971. Describes the Abarth 500, 595, 695, 750, 850, 1000, 1300, 1600, 2200SS, GT, TC, OT, Zagato, Allemano, Scorpion, Simca and Porsche Carrera.

• The 84 period articles, brought together from leading British and American car magazines, provide much information about history, model changes and engineering.
• Also driving impressions, original road tests, comparison tests, technical data, etc.
• Gives also advice for the purchase of an used Abarth 500.

More information about Brooklands Portfolio books

Product details

Details:	200 pages, 11 x 8.25 x 0.51 in (28 x 21 x 1.3 cm), paperback
Illustrations:	extensively illustrated with about 400 b&w photos
Language:	English
Publisher:	Brooklands Books (GB, 2011)
Series:	Road Test Portfolio
ISBN:	9781855209299

Fiat Abarth (1972-1987) - Brooklands Portfolio

Brooklands Portfolio book featuring Fiat Abarth sports models from the years 1972-1987. Describes the Fiat 124 and 131 Rally, Strada, Ritmo Abarth 125TC and Fiat Abarth 130TC. Also advice for purchase of a pre-owned Fiat Abarth.

• The period articles, brought together from leading British and American car magazines, provide much information about history, model changes and engineering.
• Also driving impressions, original road tests, comparison tests, technical data, etc.

More information about Brooklands Portfolio books

Product details

Details:	160 pages, 11 x 8.25 x 0.43 in (28 x 21 x 1.1 cm), paperback
Illustrations:	extensively illustrated with about 300 b&w photos
Language:	English
Publisher:	Brooklands Books (GB, 2011)
Series:	Road Test Portfolio
ISBN:	9781855209305

Abarth - The irresistible attraction of the Scorpion / L'irresistibile fascino dello scorpione

Founded in 1949 by Karl Abarth in Bologna, the company later based in Turin turned ordinary cars such as the Fiat 500 and 600 into high-performance machines through precise tuning. It fulfilled the dreams of driving enthusiasts and built a lasting reputation for speed and acceleration, even as road traffic increased.

Owned by the Fiat Group since 1971, the brand still offers sporty versions of models such as the 500 and the 124 Spider. Published for the 70th anniversary in 2019, this book presents the history of Abarth, from its roots linked to the Cisitalia brand to the influence of figures such as Tazio Nuvolari and early Porsche projects.

Starting with sports exhausts, Abarth soon developed fast cars based on standard models, sometimes sold as do-it-yourself tuning kits. Successful racing cars, driven by well-known drivers including Jochen Rindt and Arturo Merzario, strengthened the marque's reputation.

The book highlights 20 key models and tells the stories behind their special features. A major example is the OT 1600, which combined a Fiat 850 sedan body with a 160 hp racing engine. Shown in 1964, it impressed Gianni Agnelli, who famously tested it at 220 km/h on a return trip between Turin and Milan.

Product details

Author:	Daniele Buzzonetti
Details:	320 pages, 1.2 x 1 in (3 x 2.5 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	400 b&w and color photos
Language:	bilingual (English + Italian)
Publisher:	Artioli Editore 1899 (I, 2019)
ISBN:	9788877921680

Abarth : the man, the machines

The vivid personality, great intelligence and strong determination of Carlo Abarth are revealed through the pages of his large biography. Described is Abarth's personal life, his early motorcycling projects and races, and the Cisitalia period and its unfortunate decline. Includes the long and successful new adventure in car-tuning which made Abarth and his cars renown all over the world.

This book also contains technical data for each model produced, supported by company chassis drawings and engine cutaways. Exhaustive and accurate listing of competitions which saw Abarth cars dominating the racing fields year by year. The book is richly illustrated by appealing and never published before photos, many of them belonging to the personal Abarth photo archive.

Product details

Author:	Luciano Greggio
Details:	400 pages, 10.8 x 10 x 1.69 in (27.5 x 25.5 x 4.3 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	500 b&w and color photos
Language:	English
Publisher:	Giorgio Nada Editore (I, 2002)
ISBN:	9788879112635

Abarth 124 Spider - Past & Present / Passato e presente

In 1966 the Fiat 124 Sport Spider forcefully bursts into the sports car market with an extremely elegant line and the world's first twin-shaft engine driven by a toothed belt. Private drivers immediately appreciate its great road qualities and use it both in speed racing and in rallies.
In 1970 the private individuals Alcide Paganelli and Ninni Russo win the Italian Rally Championship; in 1972 private individuals Lele Pinto and Gino Macaluso, assisted by the manufacturer, won the Mitteleuropean Championship (Mitropa Cup).

In the same year, Abarth prepares the absolute weapon for the Squadra Corse, which becomes official. In three years of rallying at the highest level, the Fiat Abarth 124 Rally enters the legend, capturing numerous successes and winning the European Championship in 1975 and the Italian Rally Championship in 1974 and 1975.
In 2016 the model long regretted by enthusiasts returns in a guise all new, very modern and technological, which in every way draws on the great tradition of the past.

The book tells the evolution of the 124 Sport Spider in the various displacements and of the 124 Abarth Rally and summarizes their racing events in seven chapters. Finally, it covers the genesis of the new Abarth 124 from design to competitive debut.
The texts are supported by over 300 images of the time and current, many of which unpublished, by detailed technical sheets, lists of "racing" plates and other important documents for the knowledge and correct conservation of the models.

Product details

Author:	Elvio Deganello, Roberto Valentini
Details:	210 pages, 11 x 9 in (28 x 24 cm), paperback
Illustrations:	300+ b&w and color photos
Language:	bilingual (English + Italian)
Publisher:	Libreria ASI Service (I, 2017)
ISBN:	9788898344536

Abarth Buyer's Guide - Abarth-modified Fiat, Porsche, Simca and Lancia Sports Cars, Racers and Specials - from 1949

This illustrated reprint is a detailed guide to Abarth-modified Fiat, Porsche, Simca, and Lancia sports and racing cars, including special models, produced from 1949 onward.

Originally published in 1991, the book has long been out of print and is now difficult to obtain.
Written by Pete Vack, the book spans 128 pages and is considered one of the most respected sources on Abarth vehicles. Despite its compact size, it provides a thorough overview of the brand's history and achievements.

The guide includes every model from the early Cisitalia-based racing cars to the Abarth TC Ritmo. It is particularly suited to readers interested in Italian performance cars.

Product details

Author:	Peter Vack
Details:	128 pages, 9.25 x 7.5 x 0.28 in (23.5 x 19 x 0.7 cm), paperback
Illustrations:	photos and drawings
Language:	English
Publisher:	Veloce Press (USA, 2003)
ISBN:	9781588500441

Fiat & Abarth 500 & 600

This book presents the complete history of Fiat's classic 'baby' cars, from the iconic Topolino onwards. Known for their character and charm, the Fiat 500 and 600 played a key role internationally, providing affordable and practical transport for millions who had previously thought car ownership impossible.

The book focuses particularly on the 600 and Nuova 500, telling their full story from design and development to production and export. Over 6.5 million Topolinos, 600s, and Nuova 500s were sold worldwide, and many examples survive today. It also highlights special models built on these small chassis by Italy's leading coachbuilders, as well as the motorsport achievements of the Abarth versions.

The book explores the evolution of the baby Fiats throughout their production, illustrating their design changes and variety of models. A full-colour gallery includes reproductions of original sales brochures.
Additional sections examine living with a baby Fiat, provide production figures, specifications, and biographies, and list clubs, specialists, and suppliers. This is an essential guide for enthusiasts of these charming and historically significant cars.

Pages of the book "Fiat & Abarth 500 & 600"

Product details

Author:	Malcolm Bobbitt
Details:	160 pages, 9.8 x 8.1 x 0.43 in (25 x 20.5 x 1.1 cm), paperback
Illustrations:	242 b&w and color photos
Language:	English
Publisher:	Veloce Publishing Ltd (GB, 2016)
ISBN:	9781845849986

Fiat Abarth 1000 Monoalbero - Radiografia tecnica del motopropulsore

This volume tells in detail the technical history of a project born from the fervent and uncommon will of a man: Carlo Abarth. Modest but brilliant, he knew how to develop an already exceptional engine, that of the FIAT 600.
This "radiography" shows how the idea was born and developed that transformed a solid production engine into a real and refined racing unit. In eight years of research the Abarth technicians brought this from 27 to 112 hp in the latest version of the engine with polispheric chamber, commonly known as "1000 Radiale".

Text in Italian.

Product details

Author:	Gianfranco Bossù
Details:	512 pages, 11.6 x 8.25 in (29.5 x 21 cm), paperback
Illustrations:	honderden photos and drawings
Language:	Italian
Publisher:	Libreria ASI Service (I, 2019)
ISBN:	9788898344123

Motori Fiat Abarth Bialbero - 700, 750 e 850 cc derivati dalla '600'

Turin, autumn 1956, when the economic conditions of the company allowed him, Mr. Abarth and his technicians set a new goal; to enter as protagonists in the limited group of "Bialbero" sports engine manufacturers.
As always, Mr. Abarth did not choose ease but chose the most difficult way, that of transforming the simple and excellent Fiat 600 production engine into a racing unit. Thus was born the 750 Bialbero engine, the first of a family of engines that won on all circuits and became World Champions in their categories.

Text in Italian.

Product details

Author:	Gianfranco Bossù
Details:	342 pages, 9 x 6.5 in (24 x 16.5 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	many b&w photos and drawings
Language:	Italian
Publisher:	Libreria ASI Service (I, 2019)
ISBN:	9788898344406

Fiat Abarth 1000 Bialbero - Radiografia tecnica del motopropulsore

Always on the lookout for new challenges, Mr Abarth, who was present at the first assembly of the 1000 Monoalbero, called Mr Fochi and the author (Bossù) aside and asked them to verify the possibility of fitting the 750 cc Bialbero cylinder head on that block. He added that with such an engine he could set new category records before the presentation of the Coupé Monomille at the Turin Motor Show. The fitting was successful and thus another Scorpion jewel was born!

Text in Italian.

Product details

Author:	Gianfranco Bossù
Details:	344 pages, 11.6 x 8.25 in (29.5 x 21 cm), paperback
Illustrations:	many drawings
Language:	Italian
Publisher:	Libreria ASI Service (I, 2019)
ISBN:	9788898344413

Fiat Abarth 595 / 695 monoalbero - Radiografia del motopropulsore

In 1962, out of a commercial necessity, an idea was born at Abarth that was developed by the design team, including the author, which resulted in a phenomenal success in the European automotive world.
It is for this reason that ASI Service has decided to publish this manuscript, dense with memories but above all with drawings and technical diagrams, of how the twin-cylinder powerplants of the Abarth 595 and 695 were developed and industrially produced.

Text in Italian.

Product details

Author:	Gianfranco Bossù
Details:	312 pages, 11.6 x 8.25 in (29.5 x 21 cm), paperback
Illustrations:	many drawings
Language:	Italian
Publisher:	Libreria ASI Service (I, 2015)
ISBN:	9788898344222

Motori Abarth Simca Bialbero 1000, 1300, 1450 cc

This volume, like the four that preceded it, tells the true story of a 4-cylinder Bialbero born from the will of a man, Eng. Hruska, who deeply believed in the technical abilities of his friend Carlo Abarth and in the men that the latter had chosen as collaborators.
Born among many difficulties, this adventure, even if short-lived, magnified itself with many successes and victories throughout Europe: 9 first places in 1962, the year of its debut.

The birth and evolution of the 1300 cc and its derivatives: 1000, 1150 and 1450 cc are reported in the simplest way with diagrams, tables, materials, adjustments and the relative results of the bench and road tests.

Text in Italian.

Product details

Author:	Gianfranco Bossù
Details:	334 pages, 11.6 x 8.25 in (29.5 x 21 cm), paperback
Illustrations:	many b&w photos and drawings
Language:	Italian
Publisher:	Libreria ASI Service (I, 2017)
ISBN:	9788898344529

Abarth 850 TC e 1000

The Fiat Abarth 850 TC played a major role in the evolution of Italian motoring following the Second World War. In a historical period in which passion for cars and speed knew no social boundaries in Italy, the Abarth 850 Turismo Competizione models represented the most eye-catching and widespread aspect of a sporting phenomenon that caught up an entire generation of young people, making a decisive contribution to the diffusion of motorsport across a broad social spectrum.

The era of the unforgettable 850 TC and 1000 models capable of remarkable performance for cars derived from mass production utility cars, is described in this book, along with a complete record of 850 TC and 1000 Abarth's competition success throughout the world in the Turismo, Turismo Speciale and Preparato categories and their effect on the automotive market of the time.
A fascinating story that has lost none of its appeal today and one highly evocative of times in which we all might have thought about driving to a track on a Sunday to race in person.

Text in Italian.

Product details

Author:	Aligi Deganello, Elvio Deganello
Details:	216 pages, 10.6 x 9.7 in (27 x 24.5 cm), paperback
Illustrations:	200+ b&w and color photos
Language:	Italian
Publisher:	Giorgio Nada Editore (I, 2001)
ISBN:	9788879112482

Fiat-Abarth - Reparto Corse Rally

From the mid-Sixties through to the early Eighties, Fiat was a star of world rallying, winning in 1977 its first World Rally Championship. Committed to an official works team, supported by Abarth, it competed with legendary cars such as the 124 and 131 in the hands of drivers of the calibre of Ceccato,Trombotto, Paganelli, Pinto, Bacchelli, Cambiaghi, Verini, Waldegaard, Röhrl e Alen.
This fascinating story is retold in a book rich in photos and anecdotes, penned by Emanuele Sanfront, for years a navigator and then a journalist.

Text in Italian.

Product details

Author:	Emanuele Sanfront
Details:	240 pages, 10.6 x 9.7 in (27 x 24.5 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	273 b&w and 228 color photos
Language:	Italian
Publisher:	Giorgio Nada Editore (I, 2019)
ISBN:	9788879117555