Some cars are so beautiful they should be featured in art exhibitions, and some are so engaging that it requires all your strength to claw yourself away from the driver's seat. But few combine both of those characteristics, and often it’s the small and mighty that do it best.

This car started life as a UK-supplied right-hand drive Fiat 500L in March of 1972. Despite its humble beginnings as one of the world’s most iconic city cars, it would be transformed at great expense to honour the iconic racer Carlo Abarth.

The transformation from a humdrum shopping car to an Abarth homage has been completed with an overwatching eye on the details. The car is finished in a solid blue, which could be described as petrol blue, and features an assortment of Abarth badging and brightwork.

As you view the rear, the extent of the work involved becomes abundantly clear. The alloy sump, exposed low beneath the rear valance clearly reads in bold red lettering Abarth. This is not just some stickers and some wheels then, you’ll also notice that the engine cover doesn’t quite shut all the way, a subtle but necessary nod to some of the more potent Abarth racers of the period.

The engine is not only larger in capacity but physically larger, it’s a 650cc unit sourced from a Fiat 126. It’s not standard though, of course. Naturally, it has been fitted with an, Abarth high-lift camshaft, oil cooler and a ported cylinder head.

Mated to a 4-speed synchromesh gearbox, also sourced from a Fiat 126, the package breaths through a Monza exhaust, and is controlled by a 123-ignition electronic distributor for maximum reliability. It’s all well and good bolting on loads of go-faster parts, but if the car can’t handle it, they’re of no use.

Fear not, the suspension has been upgraded to Abarth spec or above. Drum brakes have been neatly placed in the recycling in favour of disc brakes all around, double wishbone independent front suspension on the front, with sports springs and uprated dampers on the rear, whilst a front strut brace and polyurethane bushings throughout ensure it all stays together.

The interior of course hasn’t been left untouched, with oxblood-trimmed seats and carpets completing the classic look. Feel like the cabin is too dark? You can roll back the roof to let in plenty of summer light. Jager clocks, a Nardi steering wheel and an alloy gear knob finish off the simplistic, yet purposeful interior.

The car comes with an extensive collection of invoices, carefully documented from full-engine to fuel pipe clips. The invoices tally over £14,000, demonstrating how well this car has been maintained. Today, it’s available for a new owner, to enjoy its raucous engine note and charming handling.

Duke of London

Duke of London

Duke of London

Duke of London

Duke of London

Duke of London

Duke of London

Duke of London

Duke of London

Duke of London

Duke of London

Duke of London

Duke of London

Duke of London

Duke of London