Ever wondered if our teamâs car history is as impressive as our stock? Weâre going ‘Under the Bonnet’ with our staff to find out. Weâre asking the team some questions about their life on the road, their current cars, their dream cars, and what they’d do if money was no object!
First up with have Chris Fisk from Sales, telling us about his Abarth 595. The Abarth line of cars usually faces a lot of criticism for being glorified Fiat 500’s, but Chris shows us why that couldn’t be further from the truth.
1. Whatâs the exact make and model, and year of your car?
2020 Abarth 595 70th Competizione
2. Whatâs the story behind you buying it? Was it an impulse buy or did you love the car already?
Growing up, I had a 205 GTI and a R5 GTT, so I have always had a soft spot for a hot hatch, just after Covid I bought my first Abarth, a 695 70th Anniversario which I turned into a track and show car with my daughters and became one of the cover cars for the Abarth Festival.
I saw an opportunity a few years back and swapped it for an M4 (which became one of my biggest regrets), my daughters missed the Abarth, the shows, the events and the social side of the Abarth owners club and wanted to get back into another project, so I purchased this car as a standard 595 in Adrenaline green in October and have been building and designing with my daughters ready for the 2026 show and track season.
3. Whatâs it really like to drive every day? Give us the best thing and the worst thing about it.
Best thing about it is how fun it is, even on short journeys or long trips it is a barrel of laughs, it is one of those cars that makes you smile every time you drive it, canât really think of a worst thing about it other than missing some comforts like heated seats and steering wheel.
4. Have you made any modifications or do you have any plans to mod it?
It was been lowered 10mm all round with spacers to correct the stance, currently running at 220bhp, it has a 3mm cat back straight piped Magneti Marelli exhaust with sports car, Bonalume blow off valve, High Spark ignition pack. I have an Orra intercooler to still install and then Iâll be looking to put a bigger turbo on to take it up to 280bhp.
In terms of cosmetic upgrades I have JR wheels, Kill All Chrome full carbon exterior, Track Aero spoiler, Cadamuro open lower bumper (to increase airflow when the intercooler goes on) and not to mention a full custom livery, designed with my daughters on Forza and brought to life by Gary at Northern Wraps in Ripon, he was the chap who did the livery on my last Marlboro inspired Abarth. Interior I plan a full carbon dash, retrim the leather seats and a few other subtle changes.
5. This car has a big personality, whatâs a common reaction you get from other people about it?
At shows it gets a lot of attention and driving around day to day obviously gets some head turns, its loud and bright so can be missed!
6. Youâre surrounded by prestige cars all day at Redline, does that make you appreciate your car more or less?
Definitely more, having being fortunate to drive so many sports, prestige and supercars over the years gives you a real idea of how each car performs and its personalities and every car I have owned I have always appreciated, I say this to all my customers, whether itâs a 20k Abarth or a 1 mil Supercar its hard earned money whatever the scale is.
7. If you had to swap your car for anything in the Redline showroom right now, what would you pick and why? (Provide link)
I love the different things, and I could do some wild things to the Sterrato!
[2023 Lamborghini Huracan 5.2 V10 Sterrato LDF 4WD Euro 6 (s/s) 2dr ÂŁ269,950 | Redline Specialist Cars]
8. As a car expert, whatâs one piece of advice youâd give to someone buying a car like yours?
Anyone looking to get into an Abarth can expect a really friendly community of enthusiasts, and numerous shows and events to look forward to. The Abarth is so popular due to being so customisable and it’s rare you see identical ones on the road, so I would advise looking for one with good history and ask in the owners club if anyone knows the car or the previous owner as we are a tight bunch.
9. Describe your car in just three words.
Kill All Tyres!
10. Whatâs the best or most memorable journey youâve had in your car so far?
This project is relatively new, but in the previous Abarth winning best in show at a number of events was great and one of the best events was Festival Italia at Brands Hatch or the Abarth Festival, the latter having over 500 Abarths present.
11. Whatâs your nickname for your car?
Hoonibarth â my daughters idea mixing Hoonigan and Abarth
12. Whatâs something that surprises you about your car?
How fast it is, weighing just over a ton even at 220bhp its quick and I cant wait to take it to 280bhp.
13. Is this your daily drive or more of a âfun weekendâ car?
Both!
14. Whatâs the biggest misconception people have about this car?
Itâs a fiatâŚno no noâŚitâs a wolf in sheeps clothing and I have emasculated a lot of so called fast cars in the past!
15. If your car had a theme song, what would it be?
Immigrant Song by Led Zeppelin
16. What’s your ultimate dream car – any value.
As a previous Renault 5 GTT owner, I would have to say the new limited run R5 â looks wild!
17. What’s the next car you’d like to buy?
Probably another Abarth
That wraps up this piece, but keep your eyes peeled, we’ve got plenty more people in the team wanting to show off their cars and we’ll be chatting to more of the team soon! Which looks better? The Malboro or Hoonibarth styles?
