DISCOUNTED PRICE TO AOC MEMBERS ONLY
Many of you will have seen our beautiful XSR at recent Abarth events.  We’ve loved it - still do -  but our head has been turned. Please don’t ask. There is only one XSR currently on AutoTrader, at £18.5k. Our car will be sold with its £1.5k Brembo upgrade, personal ‘XSR’ plate, plus some other additions such as extended graphics and replacement mats. This is a fabulous car and comes with a service stamp, bill of sale and the original sales brochure. If we could afford to run two cars this would be staying. Make me an offer I cannot turn down..... we have been told there are only 15 of these ‘C’ versions currently registered in the UK.  For more pictures and details see our other posts incl https://forum.abarthownersclub.com/index.php?topic=5284.0

I’ve been deliberating over how to mark our 695th forum post... makes perfect sense - to me at least - that it should focus on our XSR. Whilst we have followed and contributed to the XSR thread in ‘500, 595 & 695’ I’ve not posted anything dedicated to #035, so here’s our indulgence...

Standard XSR convertible and now running Abarth kit Brembo upgrade calipers, pads and floating 305 discs on the front. Some small details recently added includes some red accents to front and rear bumpers, plus subtle ‘035’ decals on each side representing its limited edition numbering.   A new set of Abarth mats and an alcantara boost gauge cover completes the look inside, oh and the essential fairy lights (long-standing members will know the significance).

Hope you like. If you do, tip us a ‘thank’ 😎 all images captured on iPhone 5 (remember those?)

A&JL 695 XSR #035

So here’s the rub... we considered the upgrades to the XSR when we purchased it last June, but decided to show some restraint and enjoy the car for a while. The official kit upgrades can be added within the first year without affecting the warranty. As that first year draws near, the possibility of installing the Brembo kit has been nagging, but it’s not cheap!

At the Bicester Heritage event recently it was put to the vote with AOC Members courtesy of Bertie (name dropping) live Facebook and the feedback was to change. Talking with other Abarth Owners old and new at the same event, it left me with a sense that the itch needed scratching. Cue a call to Research Nuneaton and the very helpful Matt (parts) and Spencer (service) who have made this possible. Value for money? Probably not. More smiles per mile? I’m hoping so.

First impressions are that the car looks so much better. I know the purpose of the brakes are about performance and not aesthetics, but they definitely look more purposeful, especially the red poking out behind the black alloys. Only downside is that the scooter has been sold to release some funds, but then it wasn’t being used anything like enough. I’ll let you know how they perform shortly. Obviously anyone with a Comp, or an existing Brembo upgrade, will simply be shrugging, I hear ‘so what?’, but to us lesser owners this is important stuff.

Always felt the 695XSR should be a car with all the performance options and it felt a little short changed. Italian economies I am sure. So now I’m happy. Next could be a power increase, and a set of front Koni. But not yet. Pockets are empty. My thanks to JL for humouring me; after all, it’s HER car!  My thanks to Research once again. Great team. Now how to get the Abarth crate into the car.... anyone got a bigger boot? A   

Pictures are of a stock car (standard calipers), our car (Brembo fitted) and the box

For sale - 2016(16) Podium Blue Turismo convertible. Hi all, fantastic opportunity to get into a beautiful 595 at a huge discount on new. Plenty of pics on here already and some will have seen 'Lucca' at AOC events last summer. We've taken the plunge on another new one, so this one has to go... options include black roof, black leather, rare black callipers, polished 10 spoke alloys, grey side graphic, interscope sounds and xenon headlights.  Few tasteful accessories will also be included. If seriously interested drop us a Private Message. A&J

Merry Christmas all. A time for giving and receiving; peace and goodwill to all men (and women). May the light of the Lord be with you. Anyway, whilst you are sitting watching another re-run of a 1986 Only Fools and Horses Christmas Special, how about sharing your Christmas decorations right here for the world - OK a few of us - to share in the delight? The more ridiculous the better.

I'm prepared to start this off... We don't go for the tree in the house and lights on the roof thing, so sorry to disappoint. In fact our grinch look is usually nothing more than a few cards lining the kitchen windowsill. This year, though, we con we have been given a trump Christmas decoration, and you'll be demanding we share where it came from. Can't help there as it was a gift. Anyway, whether you've tinselled your Abarth, lit up your street, fake snowed your whole garden (that would be impressive) or simply put a bauble on Granny's head whilst she slept in the chair, let's see it. No prizes. Just some festive fun. Let's see how ridiculous this can get.

Be safe this Yuletide and love one another. See some of you on the road in 2017. Cheers! A&J

Thought perhaps it might be fun to have a thread to celebrate your Abarth on holiday... A starter for 10 is our 595C docked alongside our cabin in Carnac, Brittany. Simple rules; every post here needs (deserves) a picture. A&J

Hi All.  This conversation has now moved from 'Introducing'...  Having succumbed to the allure of another Abarth back in November 2015, we are really pleased to announce that the Podium Blue 595C Turismo has arrived!! Won't get plated until 1 March but another two weeks in no time at all.

Pictures of our previous Scorpione Black 595C can be found elsewhere on here.  That little beauty was sold due to a change in job and a requirement to drive something more frugal.  The Renault Twingo that replaced it - in resplendent white with sports graphics pack, body kit and panoramic roof - was a brilliant car, packed with technology, but it never plugged the gap.  So, 12 months later, we're back in an Abarth!

Spec includes black leather, black roof (which is what we're hoping to see when the film comes off), diamond 10 spoke alloys, Xenons, Interscope sound upgrade, grey side stripes (as with others experience of recent blue orders, the grey mirror caps don't materialise), and black brake callipers.

Love the Turismo for its chrome detailing and more relaxed seats (sorry Comp owners) and the look of the large, single exhausts.  The 180BHP was attractive but not enough to swing it. So, see you all out on the roads from March; give us a flash!

Pictures attached.  let us know what you think.  For posterity we've added a shot of 'Carlo' taken at Brooklands and an image of the Twingo (still for sale until 29 Feb if anyone is interested?)  A&J

Hi Bertie and friends; it's been too long. Might be looking at a change of wheels again... I just can't stay out of Abarth showrooms! Anyway, I've been worrying about who's been feeding you all summer. More later. Jen x