Abarth began in business, like so many other motoring concerns in post-war Italy, modifying small capacity cars from Fiat.

When the latter introduced the Nuova 500, and then the 600, Abarth suddenly had a mass produced basis on which to build giant-killing racing cars.

This sealed Abarth’s future and his firm went from strength to strength, going on to win more races than any other manufacturer; some 7,000 in total, in addition to 5 world and 113 international speed records.

In all categories contested, Abarth was virtually unbeatable, even by larger engine race cars and the firm won six successive World Manufacturers Championship titles in the mid-1960’s, along with the European Mountain Climb Championship and numerous other titles.

It is no surprise then to learn that Carlo Abarth was nicknamed ‘The Wizard’ or ‘The Sorcerer’!   This little car was campaigned in numerous regional hillclimb championships in Italy and all of the important competitions from 1970 to 1975, always finis...