Fiat 500, Fiat 126 and Fiat 600
Number 214 - English version dated 27.04.2023 - © Axel Gerstl
Brit & Euro Classic Car Show in Auckland
Brit & Euro Classic Car Show in Auckland

New Guides by Davide
New Guide by Davide

Review: Brit & Euro Classic Car Show / New Guide by Davide!

Dear customers, dear friends of the Fiat 500, Fiat 126 and Fiat 600,

In early March, the annual Brit & Euro Classic Car Show took place at Lloyd Elsmore Park in Auckland / New Zealand, this year focussing on “microcars”. The show, featuring more than 1,200 classic cars, was also welcoming our friends Todd and Alfonso (you find their report on the Fiat 500 World Wide Meeting 2021 in New Zealand here in our newsletter) in their capacity as unofficial representatives of the international Fiat 500 scene. Click here to read a brief report on the car show written by Todd!

In addition, we are happy to present a new article by our dear friend Davide about Fiat 500 derivatives, custom models and curiosities. To read it click here. This time, you will learn how Fiat helped Carlo Abarth to get a homologation number for his Abarth 595 that allowed him to take his new creation to the racetrack!

And of course, we are also proud to present the "Fiat of the month April" along with some interesting current offers and news concerning the Fiat 500, Fiat 126 and Fiat 600.

We hope you enjoy reading this month's newsletter!

The Axel Gerstl team

Review: The Brit & Euro Classic Car Show in Auckland / New Zealand on 05 March 2023
The Fiat 500s at the other end of the world
The Fiat 500s at the other end of the world

The Fiat 500s at the other end of the world – a Report by Todd Niall

At the other end of the world in New Zealand, 10 members of Auckland’s Fiat 500 community lined up for one of the city’s biggest classic car gatherings, the annual Brit and Euro Classic Car Show. Most the small Fiats were survivors from the almost 5,000 Fiat 500s assembled in a car factory in Auckland during the 1960s. One was a a1971 500L privately imported from the United Kingdom in 1973, and another was a 1972 model, built in Torino and sold new in Auckland, at the end of the 500s time on the New Zealand market.

The theme of this years Brit and Euro Classic Car Show, was Micro Cars, so the organisers were keen on a good 500 turnout, to supplement smaller numbers of Messerschmidts, and Isettas. In New Zealand, from the introduction of the F model in 1965, the Fiat importer came up with the name Bambina for model, and locally most classic 500s, even the D model and commonly called “Bambinas”. The 500 had an adventurous life in New Zealand, from being part of the prize package for the Miss New Zealand contest, to spending a summer season in the Antarctic with the country’s scientific programme on the ice (Todd's book on the history of the “Bambina” in New Zealand can be found here in our online shop in English or Italian).

There continues to be a strong 500 community in New Zealand, with organised groups both in Auckland and in Christchurch in the South Island.

*** Todd Niall is an award-winning broadcaster (Radio New Zealand) and Fiat 500 enthusiast.

New Guide by Davide: Fiat 500 Custom Models, One-Off Cars, Curiosities
Davide puts the spot on: The Abarth 595

Davide puts the spot on: The Abarth 595

In August 1963, Abarth presented his model 595, based on the Fiat 500 D, to the trade press. The changes to the body were inconspicuous and limited to a new frontemblem (which corresponded to that of the first Abarth conversion of the Opel Monza Rekord), the lettering on the bonnets and the badges on the sides. From a mechanical point of view, on the other hand, there are several modifications, the most obvious of which were the Solex 28 PB carburettor, the silencer with two outlets and the enlarged oil pan. But the real treat were the cylinder liners in one piece made of cast iron and the enlarged pistons. The 500 D Abarth had 27 hp at 5,000 rpm and reached a top speed of 120 km/h (75 mph).

The standard equipment was sparse, but it was possible to upgrade it with accessories such as a wood and aluminium steering wheel, instrument-cluster dashboard, etc. Abarth also sold conversion kits for tuning 500s, which could also be tested for type-approval. This model was the first Fiat 500 registered in the Touring Cars up to 600 cm3 class.

The 595 D Abarth was born as a model for normal road use, but the passion of “Sig. Carlo” for racing meant that he soon tackled the paperwork to take the little two-cylinder officially to the racetrack. However, this was a long and difficult road, including the obligation to prove that 1,000 cars of the model had been built in a single year. At this point, Fiat came to Abarth’s aid, probably by converting the missing number of cars and having them homologated until the required quota was reached. Thus, on 13 January 1964, the 595 Abarth received the homologation number 1266 from the International Federation. After the papers required to participate in competitions had been obtained, the first race took place on 19 March 1964, won by test driver Franco Patria. Once they are stung by the scorpion, the Five Hundreds are unstoppable!

P.S.: More guides by Davide about the Fiat 500 custom models, one-offs and curiosities can be found here on our website!

You want to know who Davide is? Then click here!

Photo Album: Fiat of the Month April
Fiat of the Month April 2023

Fiat of the Month April

The Fiat of the Month April has been elected! Many thanks to Mr. Giuseppe Rampello from Great Britain and all other participants!

If you want to present your Fiat 500, Fiat 126 or Fiat 600 to our readers, please send a photo to service. There’s no special motto, no limitation. And if you’re lucky, your Fiat will become Fiat of the month!

To all previous participants: Your photo is still active and can still become Fiat of the Month in the next months.

Click here to find the previous “Fiats of the month”.

New items in our online shop*
Safety belt for front seat, automatic, in pairs, blue Fiat 500/126/600

for example Safety belt

  • Safety belt for front seat, automatic, in pairs, blue Fiat 500/126/600
  • item no.: 13970/A-B
  • Price: EUR 146.00*

Click here for the new articles!

Offers*
Exhaust system, IMASAF (italian production) Fiat 500 N/D/F/L

for example Exhaust system

  • Exhaust system, IMASAF (italian production) Fiat 500 N/D/F/L
  • item no.: 03001
  • Discount: instead of total EUR 94.00 only EUR 76.10  (valid to 17.05.2023)*

Click here for the special offers!

Main brake cylinder (dual-circuit) Fiat 126 2nd series/126P/126 BIS

for example Main brake cylinder

  • Main brake cylinder (dual-circuit) Fiat 126 2nd series/126P/126 BIS
  • item no.: C08006
  • Discount: instead of total EUR 24.60 only EUR  19.90 (valid to 17.05.2023)*

Click here for the special offers!

Center console Fiat 500/126

for example Center console

  • Center console Fiat 500/126
  • item no.: 13109
  • Discount: instead of total EUR 18.50 only EUR 15.00 (valid to 17.05.2023)*

Click here for the special offers!

> Please note

Subject to change, errors excepted.
Offers only valid until stock lasts.
*Prices are valid for delivery to Germany (including 19 % VAT. Freight charges extra).

> Contact
Luftbild Firma Axel Gerstl - Fiat 500 126 600 Ersatzteile

Company Axel Gerstl
Münchner Straße 17
DE-82239 Alling/Biburg - Germany

Telephone: +49 - 8141/53 48 6-0
Telefax: +49 - 8141/53 48 6-10

E-Mail: service
Internet: webshop.fiat500126.com

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