In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Abarth 595, the vehicle is set to make a special appearance at the Performance Car Show in Birmingham.
To be held at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in January, the event will provide UK motoring enthusiasts their first opportunity to see the newly launched milestone edition of the car – originally presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show earlier this year. The very first model in the 595’s history was first unveiled at the Turin Motor Show back in 1963.#
While the car is expected to be highly desirable, the model will only have 299 produced for customers.
According to the manufacturer, it will be the most powerful Abarth 595 ever produced, featuring a 180hp, 1.4-litre turbocharged engine. Further features of the anniversary model include an Abarth Competitione gearbox, with 305mm floating disc brakes and 17-inch alloy wheels.
The nippy little car is intended to emulate performance Abarth models of decades past, and head of the iconic company in the UK Ivan Gibson said the model will be a perfect match for the Performance Car Show.
“In 1963 Abarth took the humble Fiat 500 and transformed it to create the Abarth 595, a performance car with ‘giant killing’ capabilities both on and off the track; 50 years on we have taken those same core values of size, shape, speed and spirit to create the limited edition Abarth 595 Anniversario, a respectful celebration of the great 60s supercar,” he added.
“The phrase ‘Small But Wicked’ quickly became associated with the fast little Abarth cars and it’s as true today as it ever was.”
Abarth has described the car as a “contemporary reinterpretation” of the model first released five decades ago.
It is presented in a matt-white finish and comes with a distinctive red stripe along the side. It maintains the typical 500-model aesthetic, with the dinky car showing the same kind of curves, but with an added tail-wing and front spoiler.
The car is finished off with a red scorpion emblazoned on the bonnet, in addition to a centrally located Abarth badge. On the inside, the owners of the very few 595s made will benefit from red leather seats among the other beautifully crafted interior features.
Displayed as a left-hand drive model, the car comes with a neat centre console, with a red and black dash.
Ian France, Performance Car Show director, said: “Abarth has a rich heritage and its 595 50th Anniversary Edition is a fantastic modern take on the revered original. We’re excited about hosting it at the Performance Car Show in January, giving local enthusiasts the chance to see it in the flesh for the first time.”
It will be one of many quality cars on display at the NEC event, held in collaboration with AutoCar and PistonHeads.com. Both parties will have their own stands at the exhibition, with a British Sports Car Pavilion also set to be present. Furthermore, visitors will be able to enjoy special vehicle displays in the Live Action Arena – the UK’s largest indoor racetrack.
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