Fiat 500 Abarth

My Fiat's Story

January of 2016 I was looking for a car that would be my first manual sporty car, and fun in the sun. Originally I was looking for a BRZ/FRS but all the ones I went to test drive would not start (I tested new and used) I then went to look at a Challenger that the dealership said was manual. I sat in it for the test drive and it was an automatic.. I was then upset and left the Dodge dealer which was also a Fiat dealer, and noticed they had an assortment of Abarths in the lot. I had remembered the Super Bowl ad for the car and the sound it made. I was just curious if it really sounded like that. Went into the dealership and asked to see a car. Among the several that were there, only one was red and white and it really stuck out to me. The saleslady came out and went to get in as I did and she told me to stand behind the car when she started it. After hearing it turn over I immediately knew that advertisement was legit. I got in to test drive it and noticed the gear shifter was in an interesting spot. After looking around the car, I then started it and accidentally had it in third gear and I hopped the curb it was parked in front of. They weren't too worried as it did not damage anything. She let me drive it how I wanted and even said to drive a bit harder, “we have insurance”. During the sales negotiation, I was told it’s a one owner car and the previous owner was a chef as well. It was just meant to be, so I bought it.

Shortly after purchase, the time had come to move to Florida with everything I could pack into my Fiat. Good thing I didn't own much! Once settled in, I began driving around looking for car meets and found one close to home. The organizer was a SCCA member and had recommended I enter, so that's what I did. 

My first autocross event I won the rookie class and was able to enter the H-Street class having no modifications on the car. That season I won the class along with the following season next year. I participated in a few track days including the FIRM and Roebling Road Raceway while in the south. The time had come to move back up north and I had amassed quite a few things so a Penske truck and a car trailer was the way to go. Drove all the way back up to Pennsylvania and bought a house where I am today. For the first year money was tight from buying a home so no racing took place. The next year I started up track day events at Pocono Raceway. I went every month in season and very much enjoyed track driving over autocross so that is all I did for 3 more years. Recently I have met quite a few SCCA drivers that pressured my return to autocross, so I ran one event and enjoyed it quite a bit. The NEPA SCCA actually runs on the racetrack at Pocono, so it's very fast and fun. Looking forward to the upcoming season to start competing.

From owning my Fiat now 7 years and enjoying every day of it, I feel it’s time to now start modifying the car. I am working with a few businesses on parts for the season, including safety gear, seats, brakes, body panels, turbo upgrades, suspension etc. Building the car out to be a STH SCCA car as well as time attack.