ROBSON PRODUCES THE GOODS ONCE AGAIN!

Just found this new review of Fiat 131 Abarth (Rally Giants Series) by Graham Robson on www.dep-o.co.uk.

"Another motoring book from the prolific author Graham Robson – he is accredited with writing over 130 books – this 130 page softback book covers most of the bases for those with a 131 Abarth obsession.

I find a good way of testing a book is, especially if I’ve researched the subject car for a feature, does it tell me something I didn’t know? Whilst the background to the car was more or less familiar, all the details of its impressive rallying career weren’t so familiar.

Generally, getting hold of decent in-depth books, covering a specific Italian single model in English, can be a bit tricky – but once again Robson has produced the goods. The only bit of serious info lacking is a comprehensive 131 Abarth tech spec. On the whole, a thoroughly good value read." (4/5)

Check out more great motoring book reviews on www.dep-o.co.uk.

IN THE NEWS

GM plans comeback ahead of schedule

General Motors is preparing to relaunch itself as a leaner company by mid-July, a month earlier than envisaged when the Detroit carmaker filed for bankruptcy protection on June 1.

The judge overseeing GM’s chapter 11 case has set today (June 19) as the deadline for objections to its restructuring plan for most parties.

Barring a surprise, GM and its advisers are confident that none of the roughly 500 objections submitted so far will derail the timetable.

Most of the objections raised so far relate to suppliers’ concerns about the amount and timing of payments by the ‘new’ GM under contracts taken on by the existing company.

Assets of the ‘old’ GM will remain in chapter 11 to be sold or wound down for the benefit of creditors. (Financial Times: June 19).

Fiat calls for restructuring of global motor industry

Fiat has called for a ‘serious restructuring’ of the global automotive industry if it is to be economically viable.

The manufacturer, which is restructuring itself in the wake of its takeover of Chrysler, said the move was ‘absolutely necessary’ to address production overcapacity.

Fiat has predicted that utilisation of carmaking capacity in Europe will fall 65% this year.

PricewaterhouseCoopers has estimated that the industry has near-record capacity to make 86 million units this year, compared with the 55m vehicles that carmakers will actually build. (Financial Times/The Times: June 19).

AUTO HEADLINES

Fiat could still take the driving seat at GM

The deal to sell the European arm of General Motors faces the risk of collapse, thereby opening the door once again for Fiat.

Insiders have hinted at a ‘cooling’ towards GM’s preferred bidder, Canadian car parts firm, Magna International.

It means weeks of more uncertainty for 5,000 British workers at Vauxhall, which is owned by GM.

Officials in Germany, where the bulk of GM’s European operations are based, have revealed that the door remains open for Fiat, which was once thought to be in the driving seat to acquire GM Europe, and for Chinese companies.

German Economy Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg says his officials were still talking to potential investors in Vauxhall and Opel which have not yet been made public.

He said: “We are still in contact with other investors.” It is understood that China’s fifth largest carmaker, BAIC, is in the running alongside Fiat and another unnamed Chinese investor.

UK Government officials are due to meet Magna executives in London next week. (National newspapers: June 12).

Swedish sports car group poised to buy Saab

Koenigsegg, the Swedish producer of supercars, is set to buy Saab, General Motors’ up-for-sale Swedish-based company.

GM is expected to shortly announce that it is in exclusive sales talks with the company and its allied Norwegian investors. The deal is likely to be closed by early summer.

The development would mark bankrupt GM’s third move to dispose of a car brand in less than a fortnight, part of its plan to focus on four core brands. It follows last week’s announcement of the sale of Hummer to China’s Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery and of Saturn to Penske Automotive Group, the dealership chain.

The decision follows talks this week between the three shortlisted bidders and GM at its European headquarters in Zurich.

Koenigsegg ‘has the best overall offer’, a person close to the deal said. Further details were not immediately available.

The privately owned company, based near Malmo, sold 18 cars last year and is said to be interested in applying its knowledge of niche models to a higher-volume carmaker.

Koenigsegg beat bids from Renco, US investor Ira Rennert’s holding company that bought and turned round the maker of Humvee, and Merbanco, a group of private investors in Wyoming. (FT.com: June 12).

DAMIEN HIRST-DECORATED FIAT 500

Five Fiat 500s, decorated by the artist Damien Hirst, were among the prizes won in a luxury charity draw at a star-studded London party last week.

The cars, donated by Fiat and finished in butterfly designs by the award-winning artist, raised £440,000 as sales of their raffle tickets proved popular among guests at the ARK dinner. Party-goers included Hollywood film star Uma Thurman, supermodel Eva Herzigova, singer Sinitta and top UK industry and hedge fund bosses.

Dubbed the most lavish party in Britain, the ARK event raises millions of pounds for children’s charities each year. For 2009 it was held in the disused Eurostar terminus at London’s Waterloo station, where the total raised on the night was a staggering £15.6 million.

“I am immensely grateful to the Fiat Group and to Damien Hirst for their unabated support and generosity to ARK,” says charity chairman Arpad Busson. “The five beautiful 500s added stunning visual drama to our event and raised £440,000 for our programmes.”

The lucky winners of the five unique 500s will take delivery of their cars at Fiat Marylebone, Fiat’s flagship store in London’s Wigmore Street.
Source:Fiat

Fiat 500 & 600 – The Essential Buyer's Guide by Malcolm Bobbitt.
The essential guide to purchasing a baby Fiat, which allows both the novice and accustomed Fiat enthusiast to appraise a potential purchase with professional confidence, identifying what to look for in order to acquire the right car at the right price. With Malcolm Bobbitt’s concise and easy-to-follow guide, packed with sound advice and backed up by specially selected illustrations, the route through checking a car’s provenance is made so much easier. This is YOUR passport to joining the Fiat community and a must for any potential small Fiat owner.
Click here for more info about the book.

A RALLY GIANT

Classic & Sports Car have given a neat little rundown this month of Fiat 131 Abarth, from our Rally Giants Series by Graham Robson.

FIAT 500: 2009 DESIGN CAR OF THE YEAR

The Fiat 500 has been elected 2009 Design Car of the Year by 59 journalists from around the world, beating 51 short listed cars from the world’s top car makers.

The Fiat 500, along with the Citroën C5 and the Jaguar XF, were selected as the finalists for the last round of judging at the New York International Motor Show, with Fiat’s chic and sophisticated small car taking the top design prize.

Four international design experts, namely Silvia Baruffali, Editorial Director of Auto & Design magazine, Robert Cumberford, design critic and journalist for Automobile and Auto & Design magazines, Akira Fujimoto, Editor-in-Chief of Car Styling magazine and Tom Matano, Executive Director of the School of Industrial Design at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, voted the Fiat 500 absolute winner of this year’s award.
Press release source: Fiat

STOP! Don’t buy a Fiat 500 or 600 without buying this book first!
Fiat 500 & 600 – The Essential Buyer's Guide
By Malcolm Bobbitt
The essential guide to purchasing a baby Fiat, which allows both the novice and accustomed Fiat enthusiast to appraise a potential purchase with professional confidence, identifying what to look for in order to acquire the right car at the right price. With Malcolm Bobbitt’s concise and easy-to-follow guide, packed with sound advice and backed up by specially selected illustrations, the route through checking a car’s provenance is made so much easier. This is YOUR passport to joining the Fiat community and a must for any potential small Fiat owner. Clcik here for more info.

BARBIE CELEBRATES HER 50TH BIRTHDAY WITH A NEW 500

Barbie, the most famous fashion doll in the world, celebrated her 50th birthday on Monday (9 March) with a unique pink Fiat 500.

The special, one-off show car was designed and built in a partnership between Fiat's Style Centre (Centro Stile) and toy maker Mattel, to mark five decades of the internationally-known icon.

The bright pink Fiat 500 transported a real-life ‘Barbie' model through the streets of fashionable Milan, driven by an equally life-like ‘Ken'. She arrived at Milan's La Rinascente department store, while German pop band Nena played live songs from the last 50 years.

The special city car's gleaming paintwork resembles nail varnish, while its seating is upholstered in soft, silver laminated Alcantara fabrics. The floor mats have been enhanced with natural silk yarn and there are lip glosses in brilliant colours stored in the glove compartment, along with an LED-lit vanity mirror.

Bright crystals sparkle on interior bezels, hubcaps, window mouldings and the roof-mounted aerial, and there is even an outline of Barbie's famed silhouette on the B-pillars.

"Barbie is a looker, smart enough to listen to everyone, a universal ambassador opting for a car that never divides, but frees everyone from having to declare their social status," said Roberto Giolito, Fiat Style Director and creator of the Fiat 500.
Source:headlineauto/fiat

New and coming soon from Veloce!

New! Fiat 500 & 600 – The Essential Buyer's Guide by Malcolm Bobbitt.
The essential guide to purchasing a baby Fiat, which allows both the novice and accustomed Fiat enthusiast to appraise a potential purchase with professional confidence, identifying what to look for in order to acquire the right car at the right price. With Malcolm Bobbitt’s concise and easy-to-follow guide, packed with sound advice and backed up by specially selected illustrations, the route through checking a car’s provenance is made so much easier. This is YOUR passport to joining the Fiat community and a must for any potential small Fiat owner. Click here for more info.

Coming soon! Fast Ladies - female racing drivers 1888 to 1970 by Jean-François Bouzanquet.
It took a great deal of determination on the part of women to sweep aside male resistance from the inner circles of the motoring world. A veritable saga with a wealth of illustrations spanning almost a century of motor racing. Over forty unique portraits of daring, brave women who took part in speed records events, rallies and Grand Prix races. Click here for more info.

GREATER SMALL FIATS

Hemmings Sports & Exotic magazine covered Great Small Fiats by Phil Ward this month in this nice little review. Click image to view at higher quality.

ABARTH 500: REBIRTH OF A LEGEND

Following the huge success of Abarth’s re-launch last year, the Fiat Group’s performance division has now created the ultimate sporting expression of the 500.

By thoroughly re-engineering the highly acclaimed and universally popular city car from the ground up, Abarth has produced a machine purpose-built for the modern driving enthusiast. Not only does it look the part, thanks to bodywork that’s longer and lower than a regular 500, it’s also entertaining to own and drive while maintaining class-leading economy, low emissions and low running costs.

Already a winner of BBC Top Gear magazine’s prestigious Hot Hatch of the Year award, the Abarth 500 has been designed as the credible option for drivers seeking to express themselves through their choice of car.

As a faithful modern incarnation of the tuning firm’s ‘small but wicked’ mantra of the 1950s, this latest 500 also follows the traditional Abarth ethos of using racing experience to make rewarding, high performance road cars at an affordable price.
Source:newspress

A great Veloce book for those fans of Fiat!
Great Small Fiats by Phil Ward.
Fiat have built millions of vehicles since 1899 but the company is perhaps best known for its ability to produce small, economical, characterful cars. 'Great Small Fiats' traces this concept from the birth of the 500A 'Topolino' in the 1930s up the current Panda and a hint of the proposed Nuova 500. Each of the selected models are described in detail from their conception through to current ownership in the hands of collectors and enthusiasts. The chapters include practical information on buying and running a small Fiat and restoration advice for the older cars. Also included are Fiats built under licence outside of Italy and the Fiat-derived 'etceterini' coachbuilt and competition cars.

"worth every penny" - Fiat Motor Club

Click here for more info about the book! Or click the link below to it buy now using credit card or paypal!

TWO BRAND NEW RALLY BOOKS FROM VELOCE!

-PRESS RELEASE-

Two brand new Rally books from Veloce!

Ford Escort RS Cosworth & World Rally Car (ISBN 978-1-84584-181-2)
Fiat 131 Abarth (ISBN 978-1-84584-182-9)

Available now (UK & USA)
Each just £14.99 UK / $29.95 USA

-Full, detailed career history
-Complete story of concept, design and development
-Unrivalled coverage of people and influences behind the cars
-Step-by-step account of technical evolution
-Description of cars: why, how and when evolved
-Details of principal people involved
-Packed with pictures
-Comparison with rivals
-Complete listing of important successes and ‘works’ models

DESCRIPTION
Individual Rally Giants books focus on the cars and personalities that stand out from the crowd in the long and exciting history of rallying. The books tell the story of cars and people that have left a big impression in the record books, and the minds of rally enthusiasts the world over.

Great value for money, these books are packed with pictures, facts and feats from the annals of International rallying. Collect the whole series!

FIVE BRAND NEW ESSENTIAL BUYER'S GUIDES!

STOP! Don't buy any of these cars without the help of an Essential Buyer's Guide -

Citroen ID & DS
Fiat 500 & 600
Subura Impreza
Jaguar XJ-S
Jaguar XJ40
All available now (UK & USA)
Each just £9.99 UK / $19.95 USA

Buy the right car at the right price
Full coverage of all models
In-depth analysis of strengths and weaknesses
Includes market and value data
Advice on choosing the right version and condition
How to avoid buying a 'lemon'
Like having an expert at your side
Quick check guide and also a detailed inspection plan
details of desirable upgrades as well as modifications to avoid
Where and how to buy
Details of clubs and support organisations

DESCRIPTION
Having this book in your pocket is just like having a real marque expert by your side. Benefit from the author’s years of ownership experience, learn how to spot a bad car quickly and how to assess a promising one like a true professional. Get the right car at the right price!

Visit www.veloce.co.uk for more info!

FIAT AND CHRYSLER CREATE ALLIANCE

Italian carmaker Fiat and US giant Chrysler have agreed to create a global strategic alliance.

Under the terms of the deal, Fiat will get a 35% stake in Chrysler. In return, the US firm will get access to Fiat's fuel-efficient vehicle technologies.

This agreement comes on the back of recent troubles carmakers are faced with. Chrysler has received an emergency loan from the US government worth $4bn, while Fiat has said it needed a partner because it was too small to continue on its own.

Fiat chief executive Sergio Marchionne said the deal represented "a key milestone in the rapidly changing landscape of the automotive sector".
Chrysler chairman Bob Nardelli said that the alliance "creates the potential for a powerful, new global competitor".
Source:news.bbc.co.uk

Coming soon! Dodge Challenger & Plymouth Barracuda – Chrysler’s Potent Pony Cars
By Peter Grist.
The ultimate Chrysler pony car book written in Peter’s now familiar and welcome unpretentious style, that features every series and model of pony car made by the Chrysler Corporation in the 1960s and 70’s including the slippery Barracuda and classic Dodge Challenger along with stars of the big screen and drag strip.

Click here for more info about the book.

Other fantastic Veloce books currently available by Peter Grist!

Click book covers for more info.

FIAT 500 SCOOPS AWARD

The iconic 500 supermini has just been crowned Best City Car in the 2008 Auto Express New Car Honours. This ended a four-year run for the Fiat Panda in the same award category. The 500 was said to have won the award because of its combination of compact dimensions and tempting price making it perfect for urban living. 11,000 models of the car were sold in the UK this year.

STOP! Don’t buy a Fiat 500 or 600 without buying this book first!
Fiat 500 & 600 – The Essential Buyer's Guide by Malcolm Bobbitt, published by Veloce Publishing.
• Identifies the different Fiat 500 & 600 models
• Gives clear and succinct advice when considering a car
• Your own pocket-size marque expert
• Instills confidence when examining a potential purchase
• Explains values
• Includes all the vital statistics you need to know
• Prepares you for a 15 minute evaluation of a car
• Provides for an in-depth appraisal of a vehicle
• Unique points scoring system to score a potential purchase
• How to buy at auction
• Spend a few pounds, potentially save 1000s!

click here for more info

Autumn Italian Car Day

With the forthcoming release of Veloce's The Lamborghini Miura Bible in mind, the annual Autumn Italian Car Day at the Heritage Motor Centre, Gaydon serves as a timely way to whet your appetite for the book. The event takes place on Sunday 14th September 2008, and promises a strong Lamborghini element. The Lamborghini Club UK (LCUK) is holding its Car of the Year Awards at the event, and expects a large number of classic and modern Lambos to be in attendance.



A number of trophies will be awarded by the LCUK for the best pre-1991 and post-1991 Lamborghinis, the best V8-engined model (including Urraco, Silhouette and Jalpa), the best Gallardo, the furthest-travelled and the most well-used cars.



Lancia ClubSport will also be arriving in convoy as part of its own two-day event, driving as a collective that has been 150 cars strong in the past, when the club took part in the London to Brighton Run.



As well as Lamborghinis and Lancias, the gathering is expected to be made up of other Italian cars such as Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Maserati, and many more exotic Italian marques.



Check out Veloce Publishing's exciting forthcoming title The Lamborghini Miura Bible by Joe Sackey, or visit www.velocebooks.com for a wide variety of books currently available on Italian motors.







Description



The ONLY book on the Lamborghini Miura to be published in the past twenty six years – and enthusiasts agree it is long overdue. Written by a world-renowned authority on the subject, featuring, among other things, a never-before-published factory chassis production register, technical illustrations, studio-supplied images and exclusive interviews with the designers of the car. This is essential reading for any Lamborghini fan.



click here for more info

Fiat 500 designed and painted by Tracey Emin sells for £200,000

Last week at a fund-raising charity auction in London, a Fiat 500 designed and painted by acclaimed UK artist Tracey Emin sold for £200,000. Surely the most expensive Fiat 500 in the world! This particular work entitled 'Dark, Dark, Dark' was one of only four vehicles specially designed by Tracey Emin. The money raised from the event was a significant sum towards the ARK (Absolute Return for Kids) charity which raises money for good causes such as tackling HIV in Africa, children in care in Eastern Europe, and inner city education in the UK.

More than 1,200 guests attended the auction, including former Prime Minister Tony Blair, the actress Uma Thurman and model superstar Liz Hurley.

The first of the Tracey Emin-designed cars, called ‘I Told You Not To' went under the hammer for £42,000 last October during the Contemporary Art Auction in London.



Out now! Fiat 500 & 600 – The Essential Buyer's Guide by Malcolm Bobbitt published by Veloce Publishing



Description


Features

• Identifies the different Fiat 500 & 600 models
• Gives clear and succinct advice when considering a car
• Your own pocket-size marque expert
• Instills confidence when examining a potential purchase
• Explains values
• Includes all the vital statistics you need to know
• Prepares you for a 15 minute evaluation of a car
• Provides for an in-depth appraisal of a vehicle
• Unique points scoring system to score a potential purchase
• How to buy at auction
• Spend a few pounds, potentially save 1000s!

The essential guide to purchasing a baby Fiat, which allows both the novice and accustomed Fiat enthusiast to appraise a potential purchase with professional confidence, identifying what to look for in order to acquire the right car at the right price. With Malcolm Bobbitt’s concise and easy-to-follow guide, packed with sound advice and backed up by specially selected illustrations, the route through checking a car’s provenance is made so much easier. This is YOUR passport to joining the Fiat community and a must for any potential small Fiat owner.

click here for more info