In the summer of 1963, Carlo Abarth was still fired by the determination to make “a sports car within everybody’s means.” He officially presented his amazing 595, a direct variation of the Fiat 500 D.

With this little pocket-rocket, Abarth turned evermore towards younger enthusiasts and all their potential as buyers throughout the future.

Compared to the original 500, the new 595 cars were externally very similar—the differences lay under the skin.

Abarth’s speciality was his ability to implement the right mechanical upgrades for any given package, and the 595 did not disappoint.

A special cylinder casting was used, and the exhaust ports and manifold pipes were polished.

New valve springs were fitted, along with a revised camshaft that permitted higher engine speeds and correspondingly greater output.

Specially designed pistons were fitted, and the rods and crankshaft were improved.

Even the lubrication system was modified, with the adoption of a special gear-driven high-output...