Description
in 1966, Fiat introduced the 124 Spider and, in the space of 50 years, in 2016 proposed the same model revised with current stylistic and technical standards.
In 1966, the Fiat 124 Sport Spider burst strongly into the sports car market with a very elegant line and the world’s first twin-cam engine driven by a toothed belt. Private drivers immediately appreciate the great road qualities and employ it both in speed racing and in rallies. In 1970 the private Alcide Paganelli and Ninni Russo won the Italian Rally Championship; in 1972 the private Lele Pinto and Gino Macaluso, assisted by the House, conquered the Central European Championship (Mitropa Cup). In the same year the Abarth prepares the absolute weapon for the Squadra Corse, which becomes official. In three years of rallying at the highest level the Fiat Abarth 124 Rally enters the legend catching numerous statements and winning the European Championship in 1975 and the Italian Rally Championship in 1974 and 1975. In 2016 the model long regretted by fans returns in a guise all new, very modern and technological, which in any case draws from the great tradition of the past. The book tells the evolution of the 124 Sport Spider in the various displacements and the 124 Abarth Rally and summarizes in seven chapters their competitive events. Finally, it follows the genesis of the new Abarth 124 from design to competitive debut. The texts are supported by over 300 current and current images, many of which are unpublished, detailed technical data sheets, lists of “racing” plates and other documents important for the knowledge and correct conservation of the models.
The authors Elvio Deganello and Roberto Valentini have divided the competences: Deganello – besides being a respected journalist, a competent ASI technical commissioner – has oversaw the historical part; Valentini, who had the opportunity to follow step by step the development of the 2016 model, tells about this exciting new adventure in the world of rallies. The photographs of the Actualfoto archive are essential, allowing to relive the competitions of the past.
Important is the role of Ruben Wainberg, designer of today’s Abarth 124, who has worked on this book with passion, devoting himself to his graphic design, in collaboration with Patrizia Bisa, art director of La Manovella magazine. To follow the chapter of the stylistic transition between the old and the new Fiat 124 model, which is due to the clever pen and inventiveness of Roberto Giolito, already author of a cult model like the new 500. Today Giolito is responsible for the Heritage sector of FCA and therefore represents the relationship between the great history of the brands that are part of the group and its present.
Text in English and Italian
