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Abarth Sports cars: books - history and technology

A book on Abarth cars? Explore here our selection of illustrated books on the history, models and technology of Abarth sports cars.


Abarth - La magie du scorpion

D'abord fabricant de " marmita » (pots d'échappement " sport »), puis préparateur de moteurs essentiellement d'origine Fiat, Carlo Abarth aura apporté toute sa technique à la réalisation de bolides qui trusteront jusque dans les années 1970 les victoires de classe dans les compétitions internationales, notamment dans les petites cylindrées. Absorbée ensuite par Fiat, la marque Abarth va tout de même perdurer jusqu'à nos jours en restant synonyme de performances sans concession !

Cet ouvrage propose d'aborder ce thème rare en présentant une série de modèles les plus emblématiques d'Abarth, permettant ainsi grâce à des photos originales et inédites de retracer les grandes lignes de la riche histoire du Scorpion.

Author:Bernard Sara
Specs:128 pages, 24 x 27 cm / 9 x 10.6 in, hardback
Illustrations:294 b&w and colour photographs
Publisher:ETAI (F, 2011)
EAN:9782726895559
Book: Abarth - La magie du scorpion

Abarth - La magie du scorpion

Language: French

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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.

Author:Luciano Greggio
Specs:400 pages, 27.5 x 25.5 x 4.3 cm / 10.8 x 10 x 1.69 in, hardback
Illustrations:500 b&w and colour photographs
Publisher:Giorgio Nada Editore (IT, 2002)
EAN:9788879112635
Book: Abarth : the man, the machines

Abarth : the man, the machines

Language: English

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

Founded in 1949 by Karl Abarth in Bologna, the Turin-based company transformed ordinary cars like the Fiat 500 and 600 into high-performance vehicles through skillful tuning, catering to enthusiasts' dreams. Abarth's legacy of achieving remarkable speed and acceleration persisted even as traffic increased on the roads.

Under Fiat Group ownership since 1971, the brand continues to offer sporty versions of models like the 500 and 124 Spiders. Celebrating its 70th anniversary in 2019, the book delves into Abarth's history, tracing its origins back to the iconic Cisitalia brand and the influence of figures like Tazio Nuvolari and early Porsche projects.

Beginning with sports exhausts, Abarth expanded into producing fast cars derived from ordinary models, sometimes offering DIY tuning kits. Notable racing cars, driven by renowned racers such as Jochen Rindt and Arturo Merzario, further cemented Abarth's reputation.

The book focuses on 20 key models, exploring the fascinating stories and unique features surrounding them. One highlight is the OT 1600, which combined the Fiat 850 sedan body with a powerful 160 hp engine from a racing model, catching the attention of Gianni Agnelli at the 1964 Turin Motor Show. He famously test-drove it at its top speed of 220 km/h from Turin to Milan and back.

Author:Daniele Buzzonetti
Specs:320 pages, 3 x 2.5 cm / 1.2 x 1 in, hardback
Illustrations:400 b&w and colour photographs
Publisher:Artioli Editore 1899 (IT, 2019)
EAN:9788877921680
Book: Abarth - The irresistible attraction of the Scorpion / L'irresistibile fascino dello scorpione

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

Language: English + Italian

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Abarth: All the Cars

There are names that alone express concepts, lifestyles and philosophies better than any lengthy explanation. That Abarth is one of these is a conviction by no means restricted to expert writers or specialist journalists.
In the case of Abarth, perceived by enthusiasts as a synonym of performance, speed, agility and emotions, confirmation has been provided by the Fiat Group's extensive research ahead of the major relaunch of the Scorpion marque.

Given the current situation, with the new Abarths returning to the road ready to "sting", it is an ideal time for this book that sets out to reconstruct the story that led to the birth of a legend. Subdivided model by model, the text is based on straightforward, effective descriptions, backed up by contemporary photos in black and white and colour.

The author has successfully illustrated the motivations that led Carlo Abarth to create something unique in the automotive world, at the cost of sacrifices, failures and disappointments such as the numerous custom models built in the early years. A story of cars capable of sparking great passions.

Author:Elvio Deganello, Arturo Rizzoli
Specs:192 pages, 27 x 25 x 1.6 cm / 10.6 x 9.8 x 0.63 in, paperback
Illustrations:187 b&w and 112 colour photographs
Publisher:Giorgio Nada Editore (IT, 2009)
EAN:9788879114646
Book: Abarth: All the Cars

Abarth: All the Cars

Language: English

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Abarth (1950-1971) - Brooklands Road Test Portfolio

Brooklands Portfolio book about the 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 articles, taken from contemporary British and American car magazines, provide much information about history, model changes and technology.
  • Also driving impressions, tests, comparison tests, technical specifications, etc.
  • Gives also advice for the purchase of an used Abarth 500.

Click here to know more about the Brooklands Portfolio books

Specs:200 pages, 28 x 21 x 1.3 cm / 11 x 8.25 x 0.51 in, paperback
Illustrations:profusely illustrated with about 400 b&w photographs
Publisher:Brooklands Books (GB, 2011)
EAN:9781855209299
Book: Abarth (1950-1971) - Brooklands Road Test Portfolio

Abarth (1950-1971)

Language: English

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

First printed in 1991, VelocePress is proud to re-publish this comprehensive guide to the rare and valuable Abarth-modified Fiat, Porsche, Simca and Lancia sports cars, racers and specials from 1949.

Out-of-print for many years, the original Abarth Guide has become almost impossible to find. Like the Abarth cars, Pete Vack's book is small (128 pages) but potent and is one of the finest works on Abarth ever written. The "Abarth Buyer's Guide" covers every model from the first Cisitalia based racecars to the Abarth TC Ritmo. For anyone who loves Italian cars.

Author:Peter Vack
Specs:128 pages, 23.5 x 19 x 0.7 cm / 9.25 x 7.5 x 0.28 in, paperback
Illustrations:b&w photographs
Publisher:Veloce Press (USA, 2003)
EAN:9781588500441
Book: Abarth Buyer's Guide - Abarth-modified Fiat, Porsche, Simca and Lancia Sports Cars, Racers and Specials - from 1949

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

Language: English

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The Abarths after Carlo Abarth - A thirty year history of racing cars

This book is a collection of notes dedicated to all those who helped the engineer Sergio Limone to "play with cars" for so many years and allows Limone to believe that, ultimately, the effort was really worthwhile.
A "notebook" in lieu of a book, because books have a different narrative style, the authors intention with this document is to highlight, for the benefit of interested readers, the work of many people during the period from 1972 to 2005 (33 years of competition cars and other projects) and the achievements, led by a group of technicians whose roots went back to the Abarth of the 1960s, when the company was headed by Renzo Avidano and Mario Colucci.
Since then, the Abarth company has changed hands many times over, has been merged and transformed, but its technical strengths have always remained at the forefront, as a common thread.

Car models were produced and achieved greater or lesser success in an endless procession, and the projects were named according to a system rooted in the very origin of Abarth models: the code "SE" followed by a three-digit project number.
How the "SE" code came to be used is not that clear. When this code was used at Abarth, "SE" models alternated with those labelled "ES", as can be seen from a list drawn up in 1975 that includes the models launched up to that time from 1960.
Some models, including highly prominent ones, whose name for various reasons did not include the "SE" code, are included in the list based on the chronology of their creation. The Company setup changed several times, following various mergers involving Lancia, Fiat and Alfa Romeo.

Author:Luca Gastaldi
Specs:518 pages, 24 x 21 x 4 cm / 9 x 8.25 x 1.57 in, paperback
Illustrations:profusely illustrated
Publisher:Luca Gastaldi (I, 2018)
EAN:9791220029797
Book: The Abarths after Carlo Abarth - A thirty year history of racing cars

The Abarths after Carlo Abarth - A thirty year history of racing cars

Language: English

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Fiat Abarth (1972-1987) - Brooklands Road Test Portfolio

Brooklands Portfolio book about the 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 articles, taken from contemporary British and American car magazines, provide much information about history, model changes and technology.
  • Also driving impressions, tests, comparison tests, technical specifications, etc.

Click here to know more about the Brooklands Portfolio books

Specs:160 pages, 28 x 21 x 1.1 cm / 11 x 8.25 x 0.43 in, paperback
Illustrations:profusely illustrated with about 300 b&w photographs
Publisher:Brooklands Books (GB, 2011)
EAN:9781855209305
Book: Fiat Abarth (1972-1987) - Brooklands Road Test Portfolio

Fiat Abarth (1972-1987)

Language: English

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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.

Author:Emanuele Sanfront
Specs:240 pages, 27 x 24.5 cm / 10.6 x 9.7 in, hardback
Illustrations:273 b&w and 228 colour photographs
Publisher:Giorgio Nada Editore (IT, 2019)
EAN:9788879117555
Book: Fiat-Abarth - Reparto Corse Rally

Fiat-Abarth - Reparto Corse Rally

Language: Italian

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Abarth Memories - the protagonists of the Myth / i protagonisti del mito

Carlo Abarth is one of the most important men in the history of international motor industries. A name became a brand, a symbol, a myth. Behind this name there is a man with great ability, real skill for business and technical knowledge. Behind this brand there are unique cars.
In addition to these features, we must remember many women and men who worked in this factory with passion. People with many stories to tell, all connected to the history of the Scorpione's factory.
We have looked for many of them. We have wanted to interview them, in order to give them name, face and voice. And mostly we want to find a "new" Abarth - the "first" Abarth lived with its founder Carlo Abarth, from 1949 to 1971 - thanks to their witnesses and experiences.

In this book Carlo Abarth's factory is remembered by more than 50 ex-employees: mechanics, engineers, drivers, managers, secretaries... Everybody with their amazing witnesses...
Some names are famous - Renzo Avidano, Stefano Iacoponi, Antonio Tomaini, Mario Poltronieri, Arturo Merzario... - but many others who are unknown to the public also worked at Abarth when the "Scorpione" was simply great.

Author:Luca Gastaldi, Sergio Seccatore
Specs:240 pages, 26 x 24 x 3 cm / 10.25 x 9 x 1.18 in, hardback
Illustrations:299 b&w and colour photographs
Publisher:Luca Gastaldi (I, 2015)
EAN:9791220001328
Book: Abarth Memories - the protagonists of the Myth / i protagonisti del mito

Abarth Memories - the protagonists of the Myth / i protagonisti del mito

Language: English + Italian

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Related titles:

Abarth 850 TC e 1000

Abarth 850 TC e 1000

Aligi Deganello, Elvio Deganello

Italian | paperback | 216 p. | 2001

Fiat Abarth 595 / 695 monoalbero - Radiografia

Fiat Abarth 595 / 695 monoalbero - Radiografia del motopropulsore

Gianfranco Bossù

Italian | paperback | 312 p. | 2015

Motori FIAT Abarth Bialbero – 700, 750 e 850 cc

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

Gianfranco Bossù

Italian | hardback | 342 p. | 2019

Fiat Abarth 1000 Monoalbero - Radiografia tecnica

Fiat Abarth 1000 Monoalbero - Radiografia tecnica del motopropulsore

Gianfranco Bossù

Italian | paperback | 512 p. | 2019

Fiat Abarth 1000 Bialbero - Radiografia tecnica

Fiat Abarth 1000 Bialbero - Radiografia tecnica del motopropulsore

Gianfranco Bossù

Italian | paperback | 344 p. | 2019

Motori Abarth Simca Bialbero 1000, 1300, 1450 cc

Motori Abarth Simca Bialbero 1000, 1300, 1450 cc

Gianfranco Bossù

Italian | paperback | 334 p. | 2017

Abarth 124 Spider - Passato e presente

Abarth 124 Spider - Past & Present / Passato e presente

Elvio Deganello, Roberto Valentini

English + Italian | paperback | 210 p. | 2017

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The TMB Bookshop offers not only general books about Abarth . Click here to discover all books about Abarth (including technical books like workshop manuals, restauration manuals, driver's handbooks, parts catalogues, etc.).


Last update:27-03-2024