A superb and rare photo of the magnificent Fiat
Multipla 600 Abarth advertising van, as used by the Abarth factory to promote its
car racing products, in this case their famous performance exhaust system. According the spec. sheet that
came with the negative, this image was made on
Abarth had the brilliant idea of combining racing activities with products for the mass market, and he began to build his famous conversion kits for standard production cars, that increased their power, top speed and acceleration. Important elements in the kits were the exhaust silencers (SEE PHOTO!) which over the years became veritable icons of the ‘Abarth style’. Thanks to the experience gained years earlier on motorcycles, the Abarth silencers were the state of the art in technological terms. The first prototypes had a central pipe with a constant section and side ducts in fibreglass, eliminating all the diaphragms so as to keep gas compression to a minimum. It was a simple but innovative system which gave his products a clear advantage in terms of performance, and an unmistakable full, throaty sound. In just a few years, Abarth & C. went global: in 1962 it produced 257,000 silencers with a staff of 375 people, with exports accounting for 65% of output. There were two extremely important elements behind the success of the Abarth components and kits: excellent advertising and successful racing. Carlo Abarth introduced marketing and communications techniques that are still used today. This image is a true testimony to that!
The Fiat Multipla has an interesting history. In the years that
followed World War II, it became obvious to Fiat management that the future lay
in a small car, cheap to manufacture and cheap to buy. Chief technical designer
Dante Giacosa set about finding a replacement for the 500 Topolino: Project
"100". Much development and testing resulted in a shape enclosing
four people with a minimum of sheet metal, powered by a simple, reliable
four-cylinder engine mounted at the rear for cost reasons. The resulting Fiat
600 was one of the great success stories of the twentieth century, with some
2.7 million cars produced. The mixed-use station wagon, called 600 Multipla
(All Service), was introduced a year later, in 1956. The idea was to multiply
the serviceability of the 600 for both family motoring and business use. The
multi-place seating was very flexible through a combination of folding seats.
Three versions were available:
* The 4/5 seater had bench seats front and rear that folded to make a bed.
* The 6-seater had a front bench and four individual seats that folded
completely flat into the floor to make a roomy load platform.
* The Taxi version had a single seat and luggage platform in front, separate
folding seats in the middle, and a bench seat in back, together with a
division.
Differences from the sedan included, besides the bodywork, an auxiliary radiator up front, wishbone front suspension, different gear ratios, worm and roller steering, slightly larger fuel tank, and interior lamps. The Multipla name is today revived for another unusual ground-breaking vehicle.
Abarth is an Italian racing car maker founded by Austrian-Italian Carlo Abarth in Turin in 1949. Its logo depicts a stylized scorpion on a red and yellow background. Carlo Abarth began his well-known association with Fiat in 1952, building the Abarth 1500 Biposto upon Fiat mechanicals. In the 1960s, Abarth & C. S.r.l was quite successful in hillclimbing and sports car racing, mainly in classes from 850cc up to 2000cc, competing with Porsche 904 and Ferrari Dino. Later, Johann Abt, who would later go on to found Abt Sportsline, was promised by Carlo Abarth that he could drive a factory car for free if he won all the races he entered—which Abt nearly did, winning 29 of 30, the 30th being in second. Along with its racing cars, Abarth produced high-performance exhaust pipes. Later, Abarth diversified in producing various tuning kits for road vehicles, mainly for Fiat. While there were many competitors in this segment, such as Giannini, Abarth has largely dominated the Italian tuning market since the sixties. Abarth was also associated in producing sports or racing cars with Porsche and Simca. Abarth was sold to Fiat on July 31, 1971, and the racing team sold to Enzo Osella. Abarth became the racing department of Fiat, managed by famed engine designer Aurelio Lampredi. Some models built by Fiat or its subsidiaries Lancia and Autobianchi were co-branded Abarth, the most famous being the Autobianchi A112 Abarth, probably the most popular "boy racer" vehicle of its time on account of its lightness and low price. Abarth also prepared Fiat Group's rally cars like Fiat 124 Abarth and 131 Abarth. In the 80s Abarth name was mainly used to mark performance Fiats like Fiat Ritmo Abarth 130 TC. The name was almost forgotten in 1990s and in 2000s it was used like a trim/model level on FIAT cars, like the FIAT Stilo Abarth. In 2007 Fiat Automobiles SpA relaunched the brand with the Grande Punto Abarth and the Grande Punto Abarth S2000. The brand is to be seen as a separate division to the main Fiat brand in a similar way that the Renault Sport brand is to the mainstream Renault. It is based in the Officine 83, part of the old Mirafiori engineering plant. The company CEO is Harald Wester. After years of sports competing on the continent, competition organisers announced the launch of a new Abarth 500 GB series for 2010. The competition was to represent a new high profile sponsored race series, which was staged at Oulton Park, Cheshire, on 3–5 April 2010. Building on the success of its namesake Italian and European series, the GB competition brought together a plethora of driver-talent from across the UK. The GB series was developed by the competitors for the competitors; by the sponsors for the sponsors, and by the fans for the fans. All Abarth Assetto Corse (limited edition) cars are built in Turin, Italy, and are checked to the highest standards. They are also subject to a shakedown and test at the Fiat Group proving ground in Balocco.
Fiat is an Italian
automobile manufacturer which was founded in 1899 by a group of investors
including Giovanni Agnelli, the company name FIAT is an acronym for Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino
(Italian Automobile Factory of Turin), and it also means "let there
be" in Latin. Fiat was also an aircraft manufacturer at one time. Fiat
branded cars are constructed all around the world besides
This is a very nice and very rare non period photo that reflects a wonderful era of Abarth and Fiat automotive history in a wonderful way. This is your rare chance to own this photo, therefore it is printed in a nice large format of ca. 8" x 12" (ca. 20 x 30 cm). It makes it perfectly suitable for framing.
Shipping costs will only be $ 7.00 regardless of how many photos you buy. For 5 or more photos, shipping is free!
(Note: A. Herl, Inc. does not appear on photo, for ebay purposes only)
No copyright expressed or implied. Sold as collectable item only. We are clearing out our archives that we have gathered from various sources.
All items always sent well protected in PVC clear files and board backed envelopes.
We have photographs that came from professional collections and/or were bought from the original photographer or press studio! They are all of professional and excellent quality.
After many decades of professionally collecting photographs and posters we are clearing out our archives. They make the perfect gift and are perfectly suited for framing. They will look gorgeous unframed and will be a true asset nicely framed with a border. They are a gorgeous and great asset in every home, workshop, workplace, restaurant, bar or club!
First come - first served. And you can always contact us for your requests. Please ask any questions before the auction ends.