Previous page | FRONT SUSPENSION PICK-UP REINFORCEMENT ON ABARTH RACE CARS. The photo below shows an Abarth designed plate used to strengthen the area where the upper a-arm attaches to the body, This view shows the left side wheel house. The plate is made of 16 gauge steel. In addition to this, there is a fairly complex structure added behind this area to add even more strength. Don't for get that the Fiat 600 was designed for drum brakes. The Girling disc brakes Abarth used on it's race care built on the Fiat 600 platform exert a far greater stress on the body structure in this area. My 750 Record Monza floor was completely detached from the fender well due in part to racing stress when the car came to me as an unrestored, rusty mess. Any one racing cars with out these modifications today, should seriously consider duplicating the work Abarth did in this area. | |||||||
Above is shown a "sub frame" boxing (red shading) that is added behind the plate shown at the left. It fits up into the cavity between the inner fender and the Fiat sub frame that holds the front spring perch and extends down under the floor in front of the seats, It looks more complex than it actually is, but the picture is not very self explanatory | ||||||||
Left. Another view of the "sub frame" boxing, outlined in dotted while lines. Note spring perch studs for location reference. | ||||||||