Miguel Sánchez
As the sixties progressed, the close relations between Abarth and FIAT became more evident. Tutored by Gianni Agnelli in a semi-official way, the workshop directed by Carlo Abarth received directly from the Lingotto factory the necessary bases to create his 1000 TC/TCR. Spectacular sports variants made from the popular 500. Which were especially combative in rallies and hill races. In fact, although Le Mans or Monte Carlo are not to his credit, adding up everything won by these models, we are undoubtedly facing two of the most competitive and award-winning samples of their time.
And no wonder. After all, these vehicles managed to yield 92CV for only 583 kilos. All this thanks to the improvements applied by Abarth in its engine block signed by FIAT, increasing the cylinder capacity to 982cc. That's the way it is, The Abarth 1000 TC/TCR were true giant killers with growing fame among European teams. So much so, that one of the main points of reference for Abarth was in Barcelona. Specifically in the workshops of Jaume Juncosa, who regularly received visits from Carlo Abarth himself as he was the Italian brand's importer for Spain.
In this way, in the county capital it was normal to compete with vehicles signed by the house of the scorpion. Fact that was maintained after the absorption of Abarth by FIAT in 1971 with the intention of using it as a base for its competition department. Nevertheless, FIAT respected for a time the inertia of Abarth in the transformation of small utility vehicles. Proof of this is the A112 Abarth from 1971. But also the many kits designed for the 127, the Ritmo or even the Panda. The latter only marketed in Spain by Apicsa. A company from Barcelona that continued the echo of those times when Juncosa was the base of Abarth in our country.
THE SLOW DISAPPEARANCE OF THE ABARTH NAME
Nostalgia sells right now. Aware of this, Volkswagen launched the New Beetle years ago. BMW the new Mini. And even now Renault is successfully recovering Alpine both for F1 and for the new A110 with which it faces models from Lotus and Porsche. A strategy in which FIAT also successfully participates, rescuing with the new 500 its sixties lines in addition to the Abarth name for its sports versions. However, for many years FIAT kept this term associated with the best of motorsport under the rug.
At least when it comes to business. Since the Turin giant developed its competition department using Abarth as a support point. In this way, although Abarth was blurred within the Agnelli's own infrastructure, it can be tracked in all rally Lancias and even in some endurance ones like the LC2. However, as the years went by, there were fewer and fewer FIAT Group models with variants stung by the scorpion.
At this point, the Abarth models were falling out of the new ranges as they progressed towards the eighties. An irreversible trend until 2007 with the appearance of the 500 Abarth. In any case, To say that Abarth was totally missing from dealerships would be as unfair as it is unwise. After all, although from its A112 the models signed with the name of the old trainer began to be very scarce, FIAT did allow the sale of some kits through the Abarth spare parts dealer network.
SEAT PANDA ABARTH, A CAR AS RARE AS IT IS UNEXPECTED
Just as Jaume Juncosa's workshop was the official importer of Abarth for Spain in the sixties, Barcelona's Apicsa was the official supplier of spare parts in the eighties. Thus, in addition to parts for old models, Apicsa offered Abarth kits to enhance the 127, Ritmo/Ronda CLX and Fura Crono. This way, Thanks to the modifications introduced by these systems, not insignificant powers were achieved., reaching 90 CV in the case of the Chrono. Undoubtedly the continuation of the old Abarth of the sixties, betting on light popular bases to achieve rabid sports ideal for curved roads. In any case, the most curious thing was the appearance of a kit that had no correspondence with any sold in Italy.
Well, with both. And it is that the resolution to this gibberish is given by the possibility of acquiring the entire kit or only by parts. Looking at the list of them, indeed one is the 965cc engine block from the A112 Abarth of the moment. For this reason, we tend to think that some SEAT Panda Abarths did include this engine while others chose to continue with the original Panda 45 starting block. Anyway, things that happen in the world of kits and their high degree of customization. Regarding other possible modifications to the engine, this Panda stands out as a good Abarth due to the crossed camshaft. Another detail that is added to more professional spark plugs and an electric ignition signed by the trainer himself.
Of course, always aware of the base that one wore. Which is why perhaps more of these kits were not sold. After all, the parts and assembly were almost a quarter of the price of the Panda 45 used as a base. A significant surcharge when, in truth, for the total bill it could be more interesting to prepare a 127 or a Fura. Nevertheless, driving a SEAT Panda Abarth had the charm of wearing a really strange piece and only intended for the Spanish market. In fact, trying to see if there are units available in the classic market, it is easy to see how rare and exotic the SEAT Panda Abarth was and is.
Images: FCA Heritage / Apicsa
