The Enthusiasts' Page

All things 'Maserati'. News of forthcoming models, owner's cars, tips, 'Marque' reunions and the odd touch of humour! In fact anything of interest to the 'Maseratista'.

So if you have any news about Maseratis or have anything owners and enthusiasts should know, send details to enricomaserati@btinternet.com

 
You can click on some pictures for a better view !!

YOU ARE NOW ON PAGE 263

 
 
 
 
From Jacques in France
 
AVIGNON MOTOR FESTIVAL 2014
 

"Hello Enrico,

Yesterday I went to Avignon ( 200kms from my home ) to visit this annual motor show. GREAT ! A lot of Maseratis.

Indeed, this exhibition was really impressive. Distributed on various stands around the show with around fifty Maserati on display in Avignon.

The large visitor's car park was also well filled with cars bearing the Trident. I did not have time to all photograph them, or to read the information. I hope I have not made too many errors of identification. The very poor light in the building explains the poor quality of the photos. Sorry. But, what a beautiful day.

The very last pictures coming are of the Maserati Trofeo.

Bonne journée,

Jacques."

 
 

Event programme

The magnificent display of Maserati road cars
 

Maserati Tipo 26B

Maserati Tipo 26B
 

Maserati Tipo 8CM

Maserati Tipo 8CM
 

Maserati Tipo 4CLT/48

Maserati Tipo 8CL
 

Maserati Tipo A6GCS "Monofaro"

Maserati Tipo A6GCM
 

Maserati Tipo 300S

Maserati Tipo 300S
 

Maserati Barchetta

Maserati Barchetta
 

Maserati Boomerang

Maserati Boomerang
 

Maserati Boomerang

Maserati Tipo A6GCS under restoration
 

Maserati Tipo A6GCS under restoration

Maserati Tipo A6GCS under restoration
 

Maserati Tipo A6GCS under restoration

Maserati Tipo A6GCS under restoration
 

Maserati A6G 2000 Spyder by Pietro Frua

Maserati A6G 2000 Spyder by Pietro Frua
 

Maserati Bora race car

Maserati Bora
 

Maserati Ghibli SS

Maserati Ghibli SS
 

Maserati Shamal

Maserati Kyalami
 

Maserati Ghibli SS

Maserati Mistral Spyder
 

A8GCS Berlinetta by Carrozzeria Touring

A8GCS Berlinetta by Carrozzeria Touring
 

A8GCS Berlinetta by Carrozzeria Touring

A8GCS Berlinetta by Carrozzeria Touring
 

Bellagio by Carrozzeria Touring

Bellagio by Carrozzeria Touring
 

Bellagio by Carrozzeria Touring

Bellagio by Carrozzeria Touring
 

Just Maseratis...

...celebrating 100 years of magic !!
 

Maserati Trofeo

Maserati Trofeo
 

Maserati Trofeo

Maserati Trofeo
 

"Ciao Maseratisti,

Whilst surfing the internet for further information on the outstanding Maserati display at the Avignon Motor Fesival, I came across this site hosted by brilliant French photographer Pierre VIEUILLE at
http://galerie-de-pierre.over-blog.com/.

His coverage of the Maserati dislay is well worth a closer look !

 
© Pierre VIEUILLE

The magnificent Maserati display at the Avignon Motor Festival 2014
© Pierre VIEUILLE

Dott. Alfieri Maserati with the Tipo 8CL
 

Look out for "Les 100 ans de la marque MASERATI avec l'exposition et la présence d'honneur de Alfieri MASERATI fils du constructeur Ernesto MASERATI co fondateur avec ses frères de la marque ===> PHOTOS".

( The 100 years of Maserati with a display and the guest of honour Alfieri Maserati, son of the constructor Ernesto MASERATI co-founder of the marque along with his brothers. )

There are further links covering his outstanding presentation of virtually all the marques on display at the show.

I am sure there will be more for us to follow throughout the year !

I hope you enjoy them as much as I have.

Best regards,

Enrico."

 
 
 
 
 
From Roland in the USA
 
AT LAST A SHAMAL IN THE U.S.
 

 
 

"Hi Maseratisti,

It still feels amazing that the United States for the first time has a Maserati Shamal — completing a dream I’ve had since I was a child.

People can see it for the first time at the Desert Concorso on March 30th, and later this year at Concorso Italiano, as we celebrate Maserati’s 100th anniversary.

It feels like a good time to thank everyone who has helped me make this a reality:

- Laurent Radocchia from Aux Chateaux du Sud-Ouest, for selling me the car in 2007 and then taking care of it for 3 years while I was in the States.

- Enrico, who hosts the best Maserati web-site, for allowing me to find the car in the first place !

- Luigi at Offenbach Maserati and Mark at Mark Douglas Motorworks in Mission Viejo, CA for excellence in maintenance.

- Stephany at Horizon Auto Shipping for arranging for shipping and customs clearance and transport to California.

- Stuart, Kerry, Jeff at al. at MIE Corp. for providing parts and timely know-how over the last few years.

I can’t wait to share this wonderful automobile with auto enthusiasts on this side of the Atlantic. And I hope you all can see it soon !

Roland."


1991 Maserati Shamal

Chassis No: ZAM339B00*MA300035*.

First registered 31/07/1991 in France.

3.2-litre V8 326 bhp - 6-speed manual gearbox.

Colour: Dazing Black metallizzato.

Colour and texture of interior: Black leather with wood trim in perfect condition

Only two owners from new.

Mileage: 46,000 Kms.

Radio: Alpine.

Owner's manual - 17-inch OZ Racing rims.

A top condition regularly maintained car.

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
From Daniel in France
 
QUATTROPORTE TIPO 107 ON A BUSINESS TRIP
 

"Hi Enrico

Please see some photos of my latest trip:

For business I have driven from Paris via Stuttgart to Munich and back. I had my company booth (exhibition stand) packed into my Quattroporte and have left with one of my colleagues.

You can see first images leaving my 17th century office, meeting some fellow Maserati Quattroporte VI at Stuttgart Airport (see my flooring in green bag on roof…), then parking at the Maserati Dealer Böblingen/Stuttgart ( Meilenwerk: fantastic site: www.meilenwerk.com/ ).

On the way back we had some issues with the alternator being "washed" by hydraulic fluid from the assisted steering and had to stop overnight.

With incredible luck we got taken to Anzing, close to Munich were the Schuttenbach Company is located. They are specialized in selling new super cars, but as well in 'older' models, and they have an amazing workshop (with several Maseartis inside).

They have done an outstanding job, with incredible courtesy, friendliness and efficiency. I would like to thank them again for their support: www.schuttenbach-automobile.de.

Best wishes,

Daniel."



Daniel's Maserati Quattroporte outside his Paris office

Packing the exhibition stand into the Quattroporte


 

 


 

 

 
 
 
 
From Modena, Italy.
 
EUGENIO ALZATI
 

Eugenio Alzati, one of the prime movers in the history of Italian automobiles, has sadly passed away at the age of 78. Having gained his Degree in Aeronautical Engineering at the Politecnico di Milano, he first started work on production at Autobianchi, followed by Fiat, and then went on to become director at Lancia's Chivasso plant.

In 1979, Alzati assumed the role of general manager at Ferrari where he was responsible for series production, and from his collaboration with Leonardo Fioravanti, at that time director at Centro Stile Pininfarina, produced such important models as the 308, 328, Testarossa and 288 GTO, the forerunners to the legendary F40. Alzati was also a staunch supporter of the Ferrari Pinin project, the stunning four-door Ferrari that never entered production, and had considered it a viable alternative to the successful Maserati Quattroporte.

In 1985, he left Maranello and moved on to Alfa Romeo, then still under IRI, where he was asked to take on the role of general manager. At the time of the acquisition of the Milan brand by Fiat, he was assigned to the vice-presidency of the Brazilian division. In this role, he instigated the development and production of the four-wheel drive, giving rise to the Tempra 4x4, which was later used as a safety car during a very wet Brazilian Grand Prix.

After his time in South America, Alzati returned to Italy becoming Maserati CEO, following the stroke suffered by De Tomaso, and under his leadership oversaw the production of the Quattroporte IV and the first Ghibli II, and the Coupe and Spyder styled by Giorgetto Giugiaro.

On taking on his new position he declared, "Gentlemen, there's a new man in charge.", adding, "It's the team that makes a company, from the janitor to the president: this is the spirit that prevails today at Maserati. Once again there is a taste for work at Maserati. Among our clients the urge of sitting at the wheel of a car that has been on the track for eighty years has returned, a record that even our cousins at Ferrari do not possess. An engine that is a bomb and at a competitive price. That's why, after three years, we can afford the luxury of neglecting the United States market and concentrate everything on Japan and the Far East."

A great visionary (he was a staunch supporter of concepts such as the premium compact SUV and luxury high performance saloon), and was also a believer in the importance of the marque's sporting image.

Alzati was also instrumental in convincing Umberto Panini to save the historical Maserati collection when De Tomaso decided to put the collection up for auction, a collection that even today represents an invaluable testimony to the glorious history of the Trident brand.


 
 
 
 
From Newspress in the UK
 
AN EXCELLENT START TO THE YEAR
FOR THE TRIDENT MARQUE IN THE UK AND EUROPE
 

Maserati in the UK started 2014 with 84 units registered over the first two months and an increase of 140% compared to the same period last year.

The significant increase in sales has affected all major European markets (Benelux, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Switzerland) with a total of 854 units registered in January and February and an average increase of 698% over the same period of 2013.



The Maserati Ghibli

The Ghibli was the best-selling model (65% of total sales), with a 60/40 Diesel/Petrol split.

The February results corroborate the positive trend with which the House of the Trident closed 2013. Maserati delivered a total of 15,400 vehicles, an increase of 148% compared to 2012, thanks to the success of the Quattroporte and Ghibli, launched during the year.



The Maserati Quattroporte

In 2013 the USA remained the brand’s number one market, with shipments up 138% over the prior year to 6,900 units. China, the brand’s second largest market, sold 3,800 vehicles.

Maserati had revenues of 1.659 million euros, an increase of 120% over 2012. Maserati closed 2013 with full year trading profit of 171 million euros (10.3% margin) representing a 114 million euros over the prior year (57 million euros in 2012).

Text and photos courtesy of Maserati.


 
 
 
 
From Davide in Italy
 
2nd GRANTURISMO MILLE MIGLIA
 

"Ciao Enrico

come stai ???

Io abbastanza bene, dopo Retromobile, a fine mese vado anche a Tecnoclassica Essen.

Abbiamo pronta la manifestazione che organizzo in concomitanza con la Mille Miglia, organizzata per aiutare la mia cittadina, Mirandola, a riprendersi dai disastri causati dal terremoto del 2012, tutti ancora da sistemare !!!

Lo scorso anno è stata una manifestazione ufficiale Ferrari, con la Partecipazione e il patrocinio del Ferrari Club Italia, e ho avuto anche il patrocinio dell'Automobil Club Italia. Quest'anno, visto il centenario della Maserati, abbiamo aperto a tutti e torniamo in visita alla Maserati ufficialmente.

La manifestazione è sicuramente la migliore che abbia organizzato, fa vivere una giornata intera con i partecipanti e i luoghi della Mille Miglia, ed è curata nei particolari come non mai, e con tutto quello che offriamo anche le quote sono molto a buon mercato; il tutto viene organizzato assieme alla Fiera Campionaria di Mirandola, per cercare di attirare il maggior numero di visitatori in città e cercare di aiutare le attività commerciali che sono in buona parte a rischio chiusura.

Si può partecipare con auto sportive o d'epoca.

Io spero tu ci riesca a dare una mano, diffondendo la manifestazione sul sito e a tutti i tuoi contatti mail e dei club, sarebbe veramente importante.

Intanto grazie Enrico e a presto.

Ciao

Davide.
"

 

"Hi Enrico

How are you ???

I'm quite well, after Retromobile, at the end of the month I will be at Tecnoclassica Essen.

We have now prepared the meeting that I am organizing in conjunction with the Mille Miglia, organised to aid my town, Mirandola, to recover from the disaster caused by the earthquake in 2012, all yet to be repaired !!!

Last year it was an official Ferrari meeting, with the participation and sponsorship of the Ferrari Club Italia, and I also have the sponsorship of the Automobile Club Italia. This year, as it is the centenary of Maserati, we have opened it up to everyone, and we will be returning to Maserati for an official visit.

The meeting is surely the best we have organized, and brings to life a whole day with the participants and locations of the Mille Miglia, and an attention to detail like never before, and as well as all that we also offer it a very reasonable price, everything is organized together with the Trade Fair of Mirandola, to try to attract the largest number of visitors to the town and try to help the businesses that are seriously at risk of closure.

One may take part with a sports or classic car.

I hope you will be able to lend a hand, as it would be very important for you to publish our progrmme on your site, and by contacting the clubs and all your email contacts.

In the meantime thank you Enrico, and see you soon.

Bye

Davide."



PROGRAMME OF EVENTS

WEDNESDAY, MAY 14

From 6:00pm until 8:30pm - Meeting at the restaurant “Il Convento” in Lonato del Garda, welcome drink and dinner.

Overnight stay in Desenzano del Garda at a lakeside hotel attached to the restaurant.

THURSDAY, MAY 15

  9:00am - Departure from the hotel in Desenzano for arrival in Brescia at 9:30am at the multi-storey car park in Viale Vittorio
Emanuele II, where the cars will be accommodated in a reserved area and participants will then be transferred to
the 1000 Miglia Museum by shuttle bus.

10:30am - A visit to the 1000 Miglia Museum and the opportunity to view the participating 1000 Miglia cars parked in
the museum courtyard.

12:30am - Lunch at the 1000 Miglia museum restaurant, together with the participants of the event.

  3:30pm - Transfer by shuttle bus to Brescia centre to witness the preparations for the start of the 1000 Miglia.

  6:00pm - Departure from the car park on the 1000 Miglia route to Verona Piazza Bra, then on towards Villafranca, Mantova,
San Benedetto Po, arriving in Mirandola at 10:00 pm for a welcome reception and transfer to the organized hotels.

FRIDAY, MAY 16 San Possidonio Day, the patron saint of Mirandola

  8:45am - Departure from the hotel towards Modena, to the Maserati factory in Viale Ciro Menotti.

  9:15am - Arrangement of the cars in front of the Maserati showroom.

  9:30am - A factory tour in honour of the Marque's centenary.

11:45am - Transfer to the adjacent Casa Ferrari MEF Museum and accommodation of the cars.

12:00am - Lunch inside the MEF and visit the museum.

  2:30pm - Transfer to the Modena Autodrome, Marzaglia location, for the exclusively afternoon where the drivers will make
free laps in groups.

  6:30pm - Departure from the circuit towards the hotel.

  8:30pm - Meeting at the Menù factory in Medolla, an international high-class food company, that supplies all the best
restaurants in the world, just rebuilt after the earthquake of 2012, for a guided tour and gala dinner staged by them.

Return to the hotel.

SATURDAY, MAY 17

  9:00am - Visits to the Mirandola high school campus, to show the cars for the 3,000 students.

10:30am - Departure to Maranello.

12:00am - Lunch at “Il Cavallino Restaurant”.

  3:30pm - Visit to the Ferrari Museum and ending with a surprise.

  6:30pm - Departure from Maranello to Mirandola and arrival in the hotel.

  8:30pm - Arrangement of the cars in the Constituente Square in Mirandola and a display of the same in a reserved and
guarded area.

Transfer by shuttle bus for dinner at “La Cantina” restaurant or, alternatively, the opportunity of dining in the stands
with typical products directly to the streets, cooked as it has been by the expert hands of the grandmothers
of Mirandola. The chance to attend the shows and evening entertainment staged by the Trade Fair.

Shuttle bus service always available to take your car.

Return to the hotel.

SUNDAY, MAY 18

  8:30am - Depart for Modena with appointment to the dealership Ferrari Motor Services, to view the passing of
the 1000 Miglia.

  9:30am - Departure from the dealership to Panzano, where you will pass within the castle which houses the Righini
Collection, then on Funo of Argelato to visit the new Ferruccio Lamborghini museum.

11:30am - Departure from Funo and arrival in Solara at vinegar “Monari and Federzoni” where we will visit the private
collection of pre-war cars and the establishment. Buffet lunch in the company with the option to purchase
the renowned Balsamic Vinegar of Modena.

  2:30pm - Final transfer from Solara to Mirandola Square, where until 4:00pm, as the closing event, there will be a dynamic
exhibition with historical Formula 1, historical rally and DTM cars.

Teams wishing to take part in this extraordinary and reasonably priced meeting may download:

a "Programme of Events" from HERE !

an "Application Form" from HERE !


 
 
 
 
From Bernard in France
 
CELEBRATING MASERATI'S CENTENARY

"Ciao Enrico,

We sent you, this morning, some vidéo clips we have had produced to celebrate Maserati's Centenary, including one about about our Ligier-Maserati and Maserati Bora on the track.

You can post them on your site, if you wish.

Best regards,

Bernard."

Maserati Centenary Act I - www.youtube.com/watch?v=5oYjuuvoygU

Maserati Centenary Act II - www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSeiZm9OkMk

Maserati Centenary Act III - www.youtube.com/watch?v=MoWjljSvz6o

Maserati Centenary Act IV - www.youtube.com/watch?v=1w1iCfzZCMA


 
 
 
 
From Bart in The Netherlands
 
37th ANTWERP CLASSIC SALON

"Ciao Enrico,

Some more contributors with photographs. Nevertheless, here are some more pics on the Antwerp event.

Strangely enough The Netherlands and Belgium succeeded in getting some very nice and unique cars on their displays, whereas at Retromobile in Paris one had to look for Maserati's centennial celebration, and I only found a resprayed Merak with the Maserati 100 sign on a booth shared with other stuff.

The atmosphere at the Maserati booth in Antwerp was very nice, the Belgian in-crowd showed up in relatively big numbers and the richly flowing champagne contributed to the sparkling atmosphere.

A neighbouring stand showed a Ghibli SS in a modern colour combination (modern metallic grey and brown interior, even the dash top in brown leather...). Pity that the bumper/ grille showed it had been kissed at some time.

Enrico, feel free to use any of the pictures or text to your liking.

Keep up the good work !

Saluti,

Bart."



 
To the Maseratisti Fiamminghi

A wholehearted thank you
to our loyal and passionate Maseratisti.

We at Maserati count on you for our
continued success in the next 100 years !


March, 2014


The splendid display by the...

...Maserati Club België - Maseratisti Fiamminghi


Maserati Tipo 250F and Tipo 200S

Maserati Tipo 250F


Maserati Bora, Khamsin and Mistral

Maserati Bora, Khamsin and Mistral


Maserati Khamsin

Maserati Ghibli


Maserati Quattroporte I

Cockpit of the Maserati 200S


The Maserati Ghibli SS in a modern colour combination...

...displayed on the adjacent stand

 
 
 
 
From Philippe in Belgium
 
37th ANTWERP CLASSIC SALON

"Ciao Enrico,

Photos from the "100 Anni Maserati" stand and other Maseratis I spotted at the Antwerp Classic Salon last weekend.

Saluti,

Philippe."



1934 Maserati Tipo 6C/34 Two-Seater Sports-Racer

Chassis No: 3026


Maserati Tipo 200S

Maserati Tipo 250F


Maserati Merak engine

Maserati Khamsin


Maserati Ghibli

Maserati Ghibli

 
 
 
 
From Enrico in the UK
 
THE MASERATI ALFIERI
 

Ciao Maseratisti,

I'm so excited about the release of this new Alfieri Concept, and I sincerely hope that Maserati decide to go ahead with production, that I make no apologies for repeating these photos.

Maserati, ancora cento anni !!!

Enrico.


©Philippe Murari

The Maserati Alfieri Concept at the Geneva Motor Show
©Maserati

Maserati Alfieri Concept

The striking new concept bears the name of Alfieri, the most prominent of the Maserati brothers, and the engineering genius who founded “Officine Alfieri Maserati” in Bologna a century ago. The Alfieri was created at the Maserati Centro Stile in Turin by a small group of talented young designers led by Marco Tencone. The project was masterminded by Lorenzo Ramaciotti.


©Maserati

Maserati Alfieri Concept
©Maserati

Maserati Alfieri Concept

©Maserati

Maserati Alfieri Concept
©Maserati

Maserati Alfieri Concept

©Maserati

Maserati Alfieri Concept
©Maserati

Maserati Alfieri Concept

©Maserati

Maserati Alfieri Concept
©Maserati

Maserati Alfieri Concept

©Maserati

Maserati Alfieri Concept
©Maserati

Maserati Alfieri Concept

©Maserati

Maserati Alfieri Concept
©Maserati

Maserati Alfieri Concept

©Maserati

Maserati Alfieri Concept
©Maserati

Maserati Alfieri Concept

©Maserati

Maserati Alfieri Concept
©Maserati

Maserati Alfieri Concept

©Maserati

Maserati Alfieri Concept
©Maserati

Maserati Alfieri Concept

©Maserati

Maserati Alfieri Concept
©Maserati

Maserati Alfieri Concept

©Maserati

Maserati Alfieri Concept
©Maserati

Maserati Alfieri Concept

©Maserati

Maserati Alfieri Concept
©Maserati

Maserati Alfieri Concept

Text and photos courtesy of Maserati


 
 
 
 
From Newspress in the UK
 
"And now for something completely different!!!"
The ABARTH '695 BIPOSTO' - What a little beauty !!!
 

THE MOST ABARTH OF ALL ABARTHS: THE ABARTH ‘695 BIPOSTO’

With 190 hp, 997 kg, a 1.4 T-Jet engine, the Abarth ‘695 Biposto’ offers the best weight-to-power ratio in its category (5.2 kg/hp) as well as the best acceleration, at 0-62 mph (just 5.9 sec). A fusion of street and race car: it’s the road-going reinterpretation of the Abarth 695 Assetto Corse, competitor on the most famous European racetracks It’s the first road-going car in the world, currently in its category, equipped with H-pattern gearbox with dog rings.

The ‘695 biposto’ inherits the following from the world of racing: front intercooler, Akrapovic exhaust system, Extreme Shox adjustable shock absorbers, MXL digital data logger, Abarth Corsa by Sabelt seats with 4-point seat belts, Brembo braking system, lightened 18-inch OZ rims and rear titanium roll bar by Poggipolini.



Maserati Ghibli

Breathtaking style for an ‘essential’ two-seater dedicated to performance: fixed front windows with polycarbonate sliding panels and specific styling kit – bumpers, side skirts, wheel arches and spoilers – with carbon inserts produced by Zender according to the instructions of the Abarth Style Centre Performance in complete safety: ABS, ESP and TTC, self-locking clutch-plate differential, racing-derived Brembo braking system and Extreme Shox shock absorbers.

Special kits to ensure maximum customisation.

Abarth 695 biposto is not a “Limited Edition”, but it is certainly a “special” car. A perfect fusion that shows what it’s made of starting with the exhilarating performance: with a weight of just 997 kg and the 1.4 T-Jet engine, brought to 190 hp for the first time on a road-going car, the Abarth ‘695 biposto’ is the car with the best weight-to-power ratio (5.2 kg/hp) and the best acceleration (0-62 mph in 5.9 sec) in the category, reaching a top speed of 143 mph.



Maserati Ghibli

It’s the first time that a ‘street legal’ car, currently in its category, is offered with a gearbox featuring dog rings with controls and disc and clutch self-locking differential derived from racing, making upwards gear changes so rapid that expert drivers don’t need to use the clutch. The driver interface is a genuine work of art: an all-aluminium turret with H-configuration gear selection, worthy of a true supercar. This is unique, exclusive content, created from the racing car transmission expertise of Bacci Romano, suited to expert drivers and offered as an alternative to the 5-speed manual gearbox, teamed with 190 hp for the first time.

Abarth’s challenge was to find the perfect balance in the formula required to bring a car that guarantees the performance and feel of the track to the road, in accordance with its rules: ‘distilling’ the essence of Abarth through careful selection of high-performance materials, advanced technology and superior partners.

Everything about the Abarth ‘695 biposto’ talks racing. Starting with the intercooler, positioned at the front with specific pipes inspired by race cars, moving on to the dynamic aspiration filter casing with carbon finish by BMC, world leader in the sector of filters and air intake devices intended for racing, and arriving at the dual-stage exhaust system with titanium tail pipes by Akrapovic, a company which produces competition exhaust systems for Moto GP, Superbike, Supersport, Supermotard, Motocross, Enduro and rally raid. Pressing the SPORT button on the dashboard completely opens the exhaust valve, contributing to improved performance and enhancing the car with a powerful, unmistakable sound.



Maserati Ghibli

Supercar performance matched by just as much reliability and safety: ABS, ESP and TTC, disc and clutch self-locking differential and the racing-derived Brembo braking system with front floating, ventilated and perforated discs (305×28 mm) and four-piston one-piece calipers (4×38 mm). The car is also equipped with shock absorbers with hydraulic and height adjustment by Extreme Shox, leading European provider of dynamic solutions for vehicles used from F1 to Rally, as well as “Le Mans series” and the WTCC.

Its racing impulse is completed by the front fixed windows with polycarbonate sliding panels and, together with 215/35 R18 tyres, lightened 18-inch rims by OZ. This company symbolises Italian manufacturing quality through the creation of excellent products for customising cars and bikes and can boast numerous international successes in F1, Rally, DTM and Indy car. It shares with Abarth Italian taste, racing tradition and certified quality.

For real racing fans, who always want their performance under control, there’s the data logger from MLX, world leader in data acquisition and display technology for motorsport and racing.



Maserati Ghibli

For a balanced ‘formula’, the aesthetics can’t be neglected. This is demonstrated by certain exterior elements – such as the front and rear bumpers, side skirts, wheel arches and spoiler – which are more pronounced, ‘muscular’ and enhanced by carbon inserts. Made by Zender, a company known for creating high-quality aesthetic design components, according to the instructions of the Abarth Style Centre, these particular aesthetic solutions make the ‘695 biposto’ stand out at first glance.

The bodywork is characterised by a brand-new textured-effect Matt Grey colour, as if the car were created straight from the road, and further enhanced by titanium finishes for the front bonnet trim, door handles and tailgate and rear handle. The metal, known for its resistance, also characterises the hub caps, wheel bolts and water, oil and fuel caps.

The bonnet has a specific design with two bumps, inspired by the classic 124 Abarth, and is made of aluminium, in homage to the cars of the past and as a technical solution to reduce the weight of the car.

The mirror and post covers are made of carbon, as on the most prestigious supercars: this is a particular feature created in collaboration with the historic partner Adler, world leader in the sector of design, processing, production and commercialisation for high-quality plastic materials intended primarily for the automotive sector.

Carbon provides an aesthetic link between exterior and interior, characterised by dashboard fascia inserts, front and rear panels, flat as in race cars, central tunnel cover and handbrake made with this prestigious material.

The choice of prestigious materials and racing-derived technical decisions includes the front trim, where the mat, typical of road-going cars, makes way for an aluminium lining that associates the ‘695 biposto’ both with race cars and the most extreme supercars. The same metal characterises the brake, clutch and accelerator pedals and the driver and passenger side footrests.

The racing spirit of the ‘695 biposto’ is embodied in the rear titanium roll bar by Poggipolini, a company renowned for extremely high-precision machining and for structural and weight-reduction solutions, through the use of special alloys, to the extent of being a point of reference in the Automotive, F1 and Aerospace sectors.

The rear compartment, which is distinguished by the absence of seats, is characterised by a lining in a technical material which, as with the bodywork, recalls the colour and texture of asphalt. An ‘anti intrusion’ net for securing luggage and the four-point seat belts are also attached to the roll bar, in both cases with a racing flavour and made by Sabelt, major producer of seat belts and seats for race cars in Italy and reference brand for technical clothing and racing sportswear.

The same is true of the Abarth Corsa by Sabelt seats with carbon shell, with upholstery comprising electro-welded Alcantara and titanium-coloured leather with brand-new colours and finishes for an Abarth. The steering wheel is marked by the same colours. Finally, the door handle and oddment net enhance the front door panel and lend the final, emphatic touch to the racing feel of the interior.

Abarth has created a car that seemed impossible. By striving for the essential, it found superlative performance and style. As in 1964, when Abarth put a series of accessories intended to enhance aesthetic and dynamic characteristics as well as safety on the price list at launch for the 695, today Abarth breaks down the offer into three customisation kits.

The ‘Exterior Kit’ brings together all the ‘resistant and light’ materials that characterise the car’s exterior: aluminium bonnet with specific design, hub caps and wheel bolts and water, oil and fuel caps in titanium. With the ‘Carbon Kit’, you can give the ‘695 biposto’ the look of a supercar in a higher category: carbon is added to the mirror and post covers on the outside, and to the dashboard fascia, front door panel and rear-view mirror on the inside.

For those with racing in their blood, Abarth has designed a ‘Racing Kit’ with accessories that derive directly from the world of racing, like the digital data logger and the four-point seat belt attached to the seats with carbon shell. The dream of feeling like a racing driver every day, also courtesy of the technical equipment provided: suit, shoes, gloves and helmet of a real Abarth driver, with the chance to personalise them with your initials.

Text and photos courtesy of Abarth.

 
 
 
 
 
From Peter in the UK
 
EXPLOITS WITH AN ABARTH AND OTHERS !
 

"Hi Guys,

This is an absolutely fabulous specification for a road legal car in the UK, which is what we should enjoy.

Unfortunately, no price is mentioned, so I presume it is something north of £30,000 pounds sterling at the very least, for a full specification like this one.

But it is not the fastest 500 derived “Abarth” though, in Auto Italia this Month, under the heading “Urban Warrior”, Oakley have used a 595 “Competizione” as the base car, and have taken it up to 235 BHP with 270lb/ft of Torque, an astronomical figure, but costing an equally high purchase price of £50,000 !!

Parts of it have come from the “Tributo Ferrari” based 500 of last year, with similar racing 4-point harness seats from Sabelt, but this one has 4 seats and no roll cage, unless it is specified.

What a cracker of a car, both seem to be in the “stratosphere” of 500 based cars for the road, and I should know a little about them, as I owned 2 Fiat 500s one a 1952 Monoposto, at the same time, and I also raced an original Abarth 850TC in a 600 body, then I went up to a twin cam 1000TCR in an 850 body, photos of which are on the Silverstone Forum, showing me at Brands Hatch, on the front row, can’t remember who took the photos, but I had some wins and places over the years, the cars were serviced by Radbourne Racing of Holland Park, we had enormous fun in those days, even raced at Crystal Palace once, on a Bank Holiday Monday, what memories.

My favourite track was when I was home racing in Australia, at Bathurst, in the under 1,000cc Class against Ted Ansell in an NSU Prinz, and Various Morris Minors, I also did Hill climbs at Silverdale, and Sprints at various places too. I raced at Albury once, rolled the car in a 10 lap handicap race, with Frank Gardiner in a 7 Litre “Galaxy” in the Handicap race, he was about to lap me, and I looked in the rear view mirror for too long, and missed the braking point at one of the corners, rolled it, ended up on 4 wheels again, slammed into gear again and finished 5th on Handicap, what a hell of a day !!

Anyway, enough about small cars and especially “Abarths”, but I have loved them since the 50’s & 60’s, and have the definitive book on every model ever made by them, a huge book in a solid sleeve cover, showing all the saloons, coupes, sports carsand racers with record holders amongst them too, lovely book and treasured by me, if my Wife would allow me, I would have an old 500 Abarth tomorrow, unfortunately, the last one I saw for sale was a 695 TCR for £32,000 pounds !! (R stands for Radiale).

Enjoy your cars Guys, we don’t have them for long do we ?

Regards,

Peter."

 
 
 
 

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