Background
Carlo Abarth and Enzo Ferrari had quite a lot in common, it seems. Both had been competitive racers in their youths, and both would go on to become respected preparers of racing cars once their competitive fires waned. It is tempting to declare that they were both proud and fiery Italians, too, except that Carlo Abarth was born Karl Abert Abarth in Vienna, Austria. The two men knew each other and reportedly enjoyed a good working relationship. In true Enzo Ferrari curmudgeonly style, however, the Italian would remind everyone of Abarth’s heritage by describing him as “a diligent and capable German.” That is despite Abarth having moved permanently to Italy in 1934, becoming a naturalised Italian citizen in 1949 and changing his Christian name to “Carlo” at that point. Oh, and being born in Austria not Germany! An interesting insight in Mr Ferrari’s temperament perhaps.
The Fiat Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari of 2010 wasn’t the first official collaboration betwixt and between prancing horse and angry looking scorpion. That title was reserved for the Ferrari-Abarth 166 MM racing car of 1953. The later collaboration would certainly prove easier to thread nippily through rush hour traffic in London or Milan, however. It is easily forgotten, perhaps, that the 695 Tributo Ferrari wasn’t the first Ferrari flavoured 500 iteration. There was a 2008 “Ferrari Edition” 500 primarily designed as a courtesy car for use by Ferrari dealers. The 695 Tributo Ferrari, however, was a much more serious proposition with Ferrari engineers involved in tuning the suspension, exhaust, and even driving dynamics, making this far more than just a cosmetic tribute with a few blingy badges judiciously applied.
As well as a 1.4L T‑Jet turbocharged engine producing a heady 180bhp, there was a special electrohydraulic MTA paddle-shift gearbox in tribute to Ferrari’s automated manuals and a small range of genuine Ferrari paint hues. Interestingly, and presumably based on anticipated popularity, the numbers produced varied by shade. Rosso Corsa topped the charts with 1,199 released globally. This compared to 299 for Modena Yellow and 99 each for Abu Dahbi Blue and Titanio Grey. Just 152 right hand drive Fiat Abarth 695 Tributo Ferraris were produced for the UK with all of these being finished in Rosso Corsa.







