Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari: UK History & Buying Guide

UK collector and buying guide · Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari

The Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari was the flagship of the reborn Abarth range: a 180 bhp, paddle-shift special edition developed to connect two famous Italian performance names. Right-hand-drive examples were available to special order through the UK Abarth network, making them both genuinely scarce and easy to misrepresent. Correct identity, original equipment and transmission health determine whether a car is a collectible Tributo or an expensive project.

Our buying verdict

Prioritise provenance and originality over mileage or plaque number. The strongest purchase has its original invoice, books, numbered details, Sabelt seats, special wheels, Record Monza exhaust and continuous specialist history. The electro-hydraulic transmission needs a complete diagnostic assessment cold and hot. A cheaper car missing special-edition components can cost more to restore than a better example.

UK history and specification

Abarth’s UK launch material specified a 1,368cc turbocharged T-Jet producing 180 bhp at 5,500 rpm and 250 Nm in Sport mode. A Garrett GT1446 turbocharger, Brembo front brakes, Koni suspension and dual-mode Record Monza exhaust supported the extra performance. Manufacturer figures quoted 0–62 mph in about seven seconds and a maximum speed close to 140 mph.

The only transmission was Abarth’s five-speed electro-hydraulically operated manual, controlled by steering-wheel paddles and offering automatic and manual modes. Special 17-inch wheels, xenon lamps, Sabelt seats, carbon-effect details and Ferrari-inspired badging distinguished the car.

Area	Tributo specification	Buying priority
Engine	180 bhp 1.4 T-Jet with GT1446 turbo	Original calibration, belt history and boost health
Transmission	Five-speed electro-hydraulic manual	Diagnostics, clutch wear and actuator operation
Chassis	Brembo brakes and Koni suspension	Correct components and replacement costs
Trim	Sabelt seats, special wheels, xenons and numbered details	Completeness, originality and repair history

Authentication and paperwork

Match the VIN, registration document, MOT history and original sales invoice. Ask Abarth or a recognised specialist to confirm the build. Do not rely on Ferrari shields, paint colour or a numbered plaque: ordinary 500 and 595 models can be cosmetically converted.

Record every special component and compare it with period UK material. Check wheels, seats, exhaust, brakes, suspension, instrument details and exterior badges. Missing original items can be expensive, and reproduction pieces do not carry the same provenance.

Establish whether the car is an original UK right-hand-drive example or an import. Market specification affects lights, instruments, emissions equipment and documentation. A rare colour is only valuable when factory evidence supports it.

Engine, turbo and timing belt

Observe a completely cold start. Check for persistent smoke, abnormal noise, misfire and warning lamps. Inspect oil level and service invoices for the correct specification and change frequency. Examine turbo oil lines, boost hoses, intercooler connections and exhaust joints.

Power should arrive consistently in Sport mode without hesitation or uncontrolled boost. Use diagnostic data and a pressure test to distinguish ignition, fuelling, leakage, sensor and turbo faults. Many cars have been remapped; confirm software identity and supporting hardware.

The engine uses a timing belt. Require an itemised invoice showing date, mileage and replaced components. Confirm the current schedule for the VIN. Low mileage does not stop the belt, tensioner, coolant or water-pump seals ageing.

Electro-hydraulic transmission

This is an automated manual, not a conventional torque-converter automatic or dual-clutch gearbox. Some interruption during changes is characteristic, but severe judder, unexpected neutral, refusal to select, warnings or long engagement delays are not buying reassurance.

Test it from cold, during low-speed manoeuvres, on inclines and after a thorough heat cycle. Use both manual and automatic modes and repeat reverse and restart tests. A specialist diagnostic should examine stored faults, hydraulic pressure, actuator operation, clutch parameters and calibration.

Do not accept a reset or adaptation as proof that worn hardware has been repaired. Obtain written estimates for clutch, actuator and gearbox work. Recovery and diagnostic time should be included in the ownership budget.

Cooling and exhaust

Inspect the radiator, expansion tank, hoses and turbo cooling connections with the engine cold. Watch temperature and heater output on the drive and look for fresh leaks afterwards. Overheating or repeated coolant loss warrants pressure testing and combustion-gas investigation where appropriate.

Confirm that the Record Monza exhaust is genuine and that its valve operates. Check the silencer, tailpipes, mounts and control mechanism for corrosion or seizure. An aftermarket replacement affects originality and may change noise or emissions compliance.

Brakes, suspension, wheels and tyres

Inspect Brembo calipers, discs on both faces, pads, hoses and fluid history. Look for seized hardware, damaged bleed nipples and heat cracking. Confirm that the installed components match Tributo specification rather than a cosmetic upgrade.

Check Koni dampers for leaks, springs for damage and top mounts and bushes for play. Examine the special wheels inside and out for bends, cracks and refinishing. Matching high-quality tyres with appropriate ratings matter more than remaining tread alone; record their production dates.

Bodywork and paint

Use a paint-depth gauge and compare gaps around the bonnet, wings, doors and tailgate. Inspect sills, lifting points, floor and suspension mounts on a ramp. Crushed seams and coating applied over corrosion are common risks on any ageing small performance car.

Collector value is sensitive to accident repairs and refinishing. A documented professional repair is different from concealed damage, but originality claims must be supported. Examine special stripes, badges and shields for replacement or incorrect positioning.

Interior and special equipment

Inspect Sabelt seat shells, bolsters, adjusters and mountings. Original trim is costly, so note damaged carbon-effect pieces, steering-wheel leather and unique instrumentation. Test xenon lights, climate control, Blue&Me, windows, mirrors, central locking and every warning lamp.

Check battery condition and charging voltage. Low-voltage events can complicate transmission and body-control diagnosis. Aftermarket trackers, alarms and chargers should be traced for safe, documented installation.

Ownership costs and value

The Tributo carries ordinary 500-based service needs plus expensive special-edition components. Insurance, secure storage, specialist diagnostics, tyres and transmission contingencies belong in the annual cost. Establish the availability of any missing part before purchase.

Do not use advertised prices as proof of value. Compare original UK cars with similar history, mileage, colour and completeness, then consider actual condition. A low-mileage car may still need belt, tyres, fluids, dampers and transmission work after long storage.

Viewing checklist

Authenticate the VIN, UK provenance and complete original specification.
Check numbered details, books, invoices, keys and special-edition equipment.
Start cold and assess engine, turbo, cooling and belt history.
Perform full transmission diagnostics and a long cold-to-hot road test.
Verify the Record Monza exhaust and emissions equipment.
Measure Brembo brakes and inspect Koni suspension, wheels and tyres.
Inspect the structure, lifting points, paint and accident history.
Test all electronics and examine aftermarket wiring.
Price every missing original component before agreeing a value.

Frequently asked questions

Was the 695 Tributo Ferrari officially sold in Britain?

Yes. Abarth UK offered right-hand-drive cars to special order through its dealer network. The individual car’s UK provenance should still be documented because imports also exist.

Is its gearbox an automatic?

It is an electro-hydraulically controlled manual with paddle selection and an automatic mode. Its operation and maintenance differ from a conventional automatic.

Can an ordinary Abarth be converted to look like one?

Many visible details can be copied. Only build information, VIN-linked documentation and verification of the complete mechanical and trim specification establish authenticity.

Sources and research method

This is a research-based collector guide, not authentication of a particular car. Obtain manufacturer or specialist confirmation and a full independent inspection.

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