So, I'm thinking of how I'm going to personalize my future MINI, and I'm wondering if anybody else has done them up in Abarth trim? I don't think Carlo Abarth ever did classic Minis, but I think it would still "work". Something like this, without the front-mount radiator (obviously ):



For anybody not familiar with Abarth, Carlo Abarth was a German-born engineer who specialized in tuning cars of the late-'50s through the '70s. Mostly Fiats, but other cars as well. His cars were terrors on the race tracks of the day -- small, light, and FAST. A lot like today's MINIs.

Anybody think Abarth scorpions and a checkered roof would be complete sacrilege on a MINI?

 

I think it would be sacrilege, did Abarth ever do anything to a non-Italian car? Still, looking at that front-mount radiator...need bigger IC...hmmm

 

Yeah, he did. Porsche and SEAT come to mind.

Like I said, I don't think he ever did Minis, but Innocenti made Minis under license, so the Italian connection is there (okay, that's a stretch). But considering we can't buy ANY cheap Italian cars in the US these days, the MINI is the closest thing we've got. Would Abarth stripes be SO WRONG???

 

And he did all sorts of stuff. But I think they may have all been italian, exept for some Ladas? I don't know that marque...

And if you did it, it would re-define the word "hybrid"!!!!

Matt

 

Well, Dr. Science, we agree on something.

I'm going to be open-track racing my MCS, so I figured if the car was done up in Abarth trim, it might bring a smile to somebody's face -- other than mine, of course. And, hey, after all -- it's just vinyl.

 

Yeah, you're right, how could I forget the Porsche Abarth Carreras? Saw them at the Laguna Historics a few years ago, very cool although all silver.
My faves are the OSCAs.

I say go for the stripes. I've been thinking I should have done a white Rob Walker stripe on the front of my Space Blue, I might go there when the U stripe gets tired.

 

Great idea! And more appropriate on a Brit car than my wacky Abarth scheme. I'd like to see it -- especially on Space Blue, my next choice in color (behind PW).

 

Oh, yeah, I dig the scorpion. My fav: 750 Record Monza Zagato

 

 

<Drool>

An ex-Fiat buddy of mine was scouring the classifieds and replied to an ad that said something like "old fiat, $100". When he went to check it out, it was a completely original double-bubble Zagato, needing a full restoration, of course. Bastid.

OB Mini content: There's an Austin Mini in the background of your second picture.

 

but what's the silver thinggy in the garage that looks like it's getting work?

Matt

 

Looks Maserati to me, but not sure which.

 

I love them all, but the best are the Porsche 550 Arbath and maybe the Aston Martin DB9 Zagato.

 

DB9 Zagato? Are you sure you don't mean DB7?

 

Oh yeah, baby...a big time lover here!!! As a tribute, I have two 1:32 slot cars tricked out very similarly to this...same wheels even. They are real go-ers, too!!!!

 

Abarth? You betcha. A nice 2 liter Scorpione for me. I love stingin' tail. Abarths have their engine in the proper place, out back where they belong.

 

Wait -- you have a 2L Scorpione?

 

You are right. But I was thinking of the 2002 model. Where are you guys putting your pictures to post to the forum? Also how do you do the pictures so big? Nice picture of the old Aston, very beautiful. I think I might like that better than the 2002 version.

 

That Aston is so sweet. I think I may like it better (appearance-wise) than a 250 SWB Berlinetta. Is that detailing perfection or what?

 

you can just link to the url of the photo. If it's not, you can post it in your gallery, and link to it there.

Matt

 

Surely you meant to say DB6....

 

Good catch; you're right: DB6. Funny thing is, I was thinking DB7, punched it into Google images and that picture popped up (which is the car I was thinking of), so I went with it. Google somehow knows what I'm looking for, even if I don't.

 

Love it!
To me the point of the MINI is to make it yours, so go for it. Who cares what we think But since I like it, you should do it

Annette

 

I say do it, nobody has done it before, and isnt that what customization is all about? but you gotta like it.


I would LOOOOOOOOOOOVE to know how much go that fiat 500 has!!!!! that is one of my favs.

 

went from the high 20 HP to the high 30s... (37 was the most, I think...)

It's not what you got, it's how you use it!

Matt