The forum name is AusAbarth – in real life it is Joseph and yes I am from Australia. A big thanx :thumb:to the administrators who have allowed me join as this forum is primarily for UK residents.
Confession ....I am an Italian car tragic !!!! I just think that there is this fundamental immeasurable quality about Italian Cars that is addictive and applies from the most humble Panda right up to the most exclusive Ferrari. My first car was a Fiat 850 Sport (with high compression Abarth pistons BTW), followed by a Fiat 128 3P, followed by another Fiat 128 3P, followed by an Alfa 33, followed by a Citroen Xantia (hey, there was a time that no new Italian cars were available in Australia, at least the Xantia was designed by Bertone) and now I drive a Alfa 156 Selepeed that I have had for the past 11 years, since new. And I just now recently placed an order for my A5oo – after much waiting and hassles.
A bit over a year ago I was going to buy a regular 5oo. I became bogged down in unable to easily get my preferred specification (unfortunately in Oz we have a very limited range of options) so I was stuck in negotiations with the dealers as what was possible and what was not. In the meantime rumours started that the Abarth was going to be released in Australia since which time I have lusted over the Abarth. At first it was to be released last June, then in October and then never, then maybe, but as strictly limited numbers. I was in contact with the importer and the sticking point apparently was the insistence from Abarth wanting the separate dealer network here, which is ridiculous as currently Fiat only sell the 5oo in Australia and even then they average about 25 cars per month !!. Late last year it all looked grim
. Then two weeks ago a press release was released say the first shipments is due now and sales commence this week
. I cannot tell you how excited I was at that time!!!
Talked to a few dealers and was told it was only available in the SS trim and only in White, Black or Red with the standard cloth interior with no special orders being accepted. And it is only being supplied in limited numbers due to the high European demand. Of course what I wanted is a Grey with the red interior....a very common combo. AND I want standard model (not the SS) as it needs to be lower than 100kW/tonne so that my young sons can learn to drive and drive on their provisional licences (I will trade the 156 on the Alfa Giulietta QV soon after the Abarth & that car just blows away the 100kW/tonne criteria) ......I was a bit deflated at that time.
So I recently asked the importer (in a way around about way – though a mate of a mate of mate of a mate network) about special orders – this applied to both the Abarth and the Giulietta. Late last week I got a call from a dealer that I have never dealt with – “sure we can do your orders, when can you pop in !!!!†I was just floored
. I specced up my new toy that night and am finalising the paperwork even as we speak now. Oh – it will a Campovolo Grey (the only one in Australia) with Red Leather and the 5 petal alloys and should planned for a May build. The downside will be price (about the same as the Mito QV !!) and worse still the 6 month wait
I just think that the Abarth 5oo is the epitome (OK maybe not THE but certainly a great example) of what is great about Italian cars – the character, the charm, it’s small, feisty, spirited and after seeing heaps while on holiday in Europe in August I was hooked
I have been lurking as a guest on this site since the first time the Abarth popped into my head & cannot wait to ask many, many questions, seek some guidance and hopefully contribute to the forum as a whole
Cheers
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