Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.

Login with username, password and session length

Meridien Milano

Author Topic: Gulf 500 Special Edition  (Read 1649 times)

simer

  • Assetto Corse Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 402
Gulf 500 Special Edition
« on: January 28, 2011, 12:15:07 PM »
Sadly only for Luxembourg for now and only 10 editions.


"There have been some iconic racing liveries over the course of motorsport history. Martini, Marlboro, JPS... we could go on, but none carry the enthusiasm of the classic Gulf color combo. Maybe it's because of Steve McQueen's cult classic Le Mans. Maybe it's the irony of the pastel colors on brutal racing machines. Whatever it is, it's an all-time favorite. But would you want your daily driver painted in the baby-blue and orange scheme, complete with sponsor logos?

For most it's not a tough decision to make, unless they're driving an Aston Martin at Le Mans or buying a custom Hummer. But customers in Luxembourg now have the rare opportunity to get their hands on an officially sanctioned Gulf-liveried hot hatch.

The special edition Fiat 500 Abarth EsseEsse was initially planned as a one-off contest giveaway, created in celebration of Gulf oil's 10th anniversary in the principality. In the end they set on making a limited run of ten examples, which are available from Fiat's importer for BeNeLux for 25,000 euros (about $35k). It features the Gulf livery both inside and out - even the Sabelt racing buckets have their seatbacks painted in the classic scheme.

Those 10 examples are likely to sell out fast, even in a country as small as Luxembourg. The question for the rest of us is, if you had the option, would you buy one?"
« Last Edit: January 28, 2011, 12:21:05 PM by Chris555 »
Abarth 500, Red, Petals, White Stripes & Mirrors, Skydome, Climate, Dipping Mirror, Cloth, Split Rear Seats

simer

  • Assetto Corse Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 402
Re: Gulf 500 Special Edition
« Reply #1 on: January 28, 2011, 12:18:36 PM »
Hopefully the pic will upload this time
Abarth 500, Red, Petals, White Stripes & Mirrors, Skydome, Climate, Dipping Mirror, Cloth, Split Rear Seats

cmguk22

  • Esseesse Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 109

Chris555

  • Administrator
  • S2000 Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6728
Re: Gulf 500 Special Edition
« Reply #3 on: January 28, 2011, 12:22:31 PM »
Not sure what was happening there simer, popped up then disappeared again, I've taken the odd link out the OP.

Erm oddly I quite like it, the 695 should be a nicer blue though  ;D
Come and Join Abarthisti at Calke Abbey Book by 20th May
Code of Conduct | AUP

Delaney

  • S2000 Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1117
Re: Gulf 500 Special Edition
« Reply #4 on: January 28, 2011, 12:50:10 PM »
The Gulf colours and Le Mans are very emotive and many vehicles get stickered up for the June for the visit to Circuit de la Sarthe with the famous blue and orange. Those colours draw a great deal of attention.

I like it and the spec is very nice although they could do with some wheels that match it a little better than the standard 5 petals.

i've added another picture as well

J_a_m_e_s

  • S2000 Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 944
Re: Gulf 500 Special Edition
« Reply #5 on: January 28, 2011, 12:54:48 PM »
Na not for me  :thumbd:

And they do the inside to  :o them poor Sabelts  :-[
South Wales Member

Nibor

  • S2000 Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1630
  • FREEEDOOM!! ;D
Re: Gulf 500 Special Edition
« Reply #6 on: January 28, 2011, 01:00:42 PM »
Wouldn't spend 25K euros on it... If you want one just buy an esseesse and get a full body wrap with that design, I'm sure that would be significantly cheaper :P Especially if you got a 2nd hand esseesse, could end up with a car that looks and runs exactly the same for about 8k cheaper
Abarth 500 Esseesse
Funk White with Green Mirrors and Stickers
12-spoke 17" Black Team Dynamic Rims
GTT Cold Ram Induction Kit and TMC Tuning Box
Koni Rears
Magneti Marelli Street-Race backbox due in June

GTMartin

  • 500 Board Moderator
  • Global Moderator
  • S2000 Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3507
Re: Gulf 500 Special Edition
« Reply #7 on: January 28, 2011, 01:06:06 PM »
Over the years in the UK the Gulf colours have been painted on many different cars. Some of which have devalued and reduced the mystique of the livery.
On a A500 - marketing ploy
Martin
Come and Join Abarthisti at Calke Abbey

Code of Conduct - AUP

Hozepipe

  • S2000 Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2486
Re: Gulf 500 Special Edition
« Reply #8 on: January 28, 2011, 01:15:24 PM »
What's the link between Fiat/Abarth and Gulf/GT40?
Is there any logic or integrety here or is it a horrific case of naff opportunism, in which case the individuals responsible should be shot? :thumb:
Abu Dhabi Blue Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari

A84RTH

  • S2000 Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 831
  • TMC exhaust is now a must, sounds amazing :)
Re: Gulf 500 Special Edition
« Reply #9 on: January 28, 2011, 01:19:05 PM »
Swweeeeeeett! That 500 I would consider  :thumb: but not at that price.
:)Kim & Anthony:)

gorrie

  • Assetto Corse Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 415
Re: Gulf 500 Special Edition
« Reply #10 on: January 28, 2011, 01:41:36 PM »
Gulf colours suit certain cars....   500 is not one of them IMO.
Suits orange though.
BN White, Red leather, Climate, 17" 10-spokes, BMC Filter & Ragazzon Exhaust :)

Filthypig

  • Assetto Corse Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 476
Re: Gulf 500 Special Edition
« Reply #11 on: January 28, 2011, 01:41:58 PM »
Would look a million times better with Titanium SS wheels on it imo.  Petals don't suit it at all.

Delaney

  • S2000 Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1117
Re: Gulf 500 Special Edition
« Reply #12 on: January 28, 2011, 02:02:17 PM »
What's the link between Fiat/Abarth and Gulf/GT40?

The GT40 was just one car that is famous for wearing the colours but more recently it is Aston martin and in the 70's the famous and fantastic porsche 917. Abarth has at least competed at Le Mans and in Sports car racing with the Abarth Porsche and Abarth Simca.

Hozepipe

  • S2000 Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2486
Re: Gulf 500 Special Edition
« Reply #13 on: January 28, 2011, 02:47:28 PM »
Ah yes, I can just remember the 917 wearing the colours but they will always epitomise the GT40 to me.

That AM looks nearly as awkward and out of place in those iconic clothes as the A500SS!
Abu Dhabi Blue Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari

scuderia sitar

  • S2000 Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3121
  • Raggy at the end of the rainbow
Re: Gulf 500 Special Edition
« Reply #14 on: January 28, 2011, 03:28:55 PM »
Looks like a Chavved up baby blue F500
Red wheels - it's the future

 

hungry