The Abarth 695 Edizione Maserati has become one of the rarest cars in the UK and even rarer in RHD. And not many people know about it.
The Abarth 695 Maserati Edizione was released to the public in the Pontevecchio Bordeaux colour at the Paris Motor Show in September 2012. Although it was officially presented in May at the Automotive Giro d’Italia. It was originally planned for a showing at the Geneva Motor Show in the March of 2012, but it seems a delay or change of plan changed that at the last minute, possibly delayed to coincide with the Abarth Fuori Serie programme being released later in the year. Even the original name of ‘Tributo Maserati’ was changed to “Edizione’ before its official release. The Grigio Grey edition was shown a year later at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2013.
Here’s a Quote from the original Press release;
The highest customisation level – definitely “all inclusive” – is the world of Abarth Specialties. In Paris, it is represented by the 695 Edizione Maserati, a concentrate on sportiness, class, and performance produced by Abarth and Maserati. The world of Specialties is making its official début. This sector is the ultimate level of customisation combined with the exclusivity of a car built for and dedicated to every single customer. “Abarth Fuori Serie” is the new programme that represents the point of arrival of a path Abarth has been travelling in recent years with the aim of increasing the possibilities of choice and customisation for its customers more and more. This exclusive programme is where customisation starts from performance, consistent with the brand’s spirit. Only the “Fuori Serie” – special production – cars will have the 180 HP engine tuning and will feature the exclusive 695 brands. Exclusivity is also found in the production process since all the “Fuori Serie” cars will be developed, produced and type-approved at the Abarth “factory of victory”.
The Abarth 500 started the run of cars, this became the 595 and then with the introduction of the ‘Special Series’, they were given the moniker of ‘695’, meaning all the 695 cars were numbered Limited Editions.
One of the problems with a ‘ Limited Edition ‘ can be, it’s just a marketing trick to sell a few extra cars. But this wasn’t. It wasn’t a quick flashover of stickers and fancy extras, this was a real Limited & Special Edition with some interesting and unique features, starting with the colours, unique to this Abarth 695 Edition. Following on from the popular 695 Ferrari Edizione a year before, this was a showcase of what was possible from the new “Abarth Fuori Serie” by Abarth.
With the Special features that were added, from unique badging to an upgraded gearbox this whole car was given the full treatment of tricks & treats. Unique floor mats, Special handbook supplement, Embossed 695 emblems for the headrests, Numbered plaque, Unique colour, Special Monza exhaust, Carbon style dash trimmings and so on… And of course, not forgetting an upgrade for the engine by Abarth/Maserati engineers to 180bhp, which is part of the “695” edition heritage, together with Brembo brakes
Fiat chose a bespoke Maserati colour called Pontevecchio Bordeaux. This colour from Maserati is achieved with special three-layer paintwork which reflects light and accentuates the shine of the colour. The electrically controlled soft top is made of a titanium grey fabric. Then adding the Stunning Maserati Trident Neptune Alloy Wheels from the GranTurismo GT and reduced them to 17″ to accommodate the 695 arches.
Even the Monza performance exhaust tailpipes were changed to a hexagonal design – like the Maserati. Also standard were Xenon headlights with headlamp wash, plus spots & fog lamps.
Upon entry of the vehicle, strong chrome detailing of the door handles gives a certain quality that repeats on the handles on the inside, then the sills are graced with carbon-fibre kick plates with ‘Abarth 695 Maserati Edizione’ graphics just to remind you where you are… Inside the 695 Maserati Edizione, the seats were finished in a unique Sand Poltrona Frau leather, with a two-tone leather flat-base steering wheel, special design Jaeger LeCoultre instruments dials and aluminium foot pedals.
Additional unique features are the dashboard and gearbox trim, distinguished by a special matt-finish carbon lining, further enhanced with the 695 logos. Each edition also came with a unique indoor car cover with the ‘ 695 Edizione ‘ gracing it.
One of the sweetest additions was the bespoke luggage that came with the car, complete with an Abarth tag. Stunning Soft Leather bags, made by legendary Italian luxury leather & luggage company ‘Tramontano‘ of Napoli – If you wanted to buy these separately, they retailed at over £600 each! This was a series of specialist luxury luggage sets, the two companies worked on for the Abarth 695 Fuori Series Editions, the 695 Ferrari Edition featured similar luggage sets beforehand. Hardly any of the UK cars have their luggage when they come back on for sale used, most probably kept by the original owner and some never even made it to the car originally when new…!
The Abarth 695 Edizione Maserati’s touring credentials are enriched by the specified JBL car audio system custom-developed by HARMAN, with 6 speakers and an 8-channel amplifier supplying 400 W of total power.
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OK, the ‘How Many Made’ numbers; 1 of 499 worldwide in Pontevecchio Bordeaux and an additional 50 cars (although only 49 were believed to be produced) in Grigio Record Grey. The initial release was in the Bordeaux colour then a second release in the Grey. A maximum of 20 vehicles came to be available for the UK in RHD with the Bordeaux finish.
Now, these cars are very rare in the UK. The official total number of registered cars ‘via’ the UK seems to be 17. However, a few of them don’t have ‘695 Maserati Edizione’ in the logbook. They were simply registered as ‘Fiat 500’ or ‘Abarth 500’ tag on their logbooks, so they blurred into regular sales numbers, it’s a common occurrence with a lot of cars.
It seems two or three of the UK cars may have been for export, as three cars have different VIN numbers that don’t add up, these may have been registered via the UK and sent to Asia/RHD countries.
A few were distributed to Asia countries from the UK batch, imported by private companies, but these may not have been registered in the UK. Rumours of some Initial cars being used within a couple of the UK Maserati dealers, as service vehicles are unconfirmed, this seems to have happened abroad, if it ever did. One of the UK cars was also used within an exclusive hire car company in London, as a show car.
And with that, for the Bordeaux Edition, It is thought only 15 UK Cars remained within the UK network for sale. There are 2 RHD cars in Guernsey, although one car has now come to the UK. 1 RHD in Jersey.
In total there are 8 UK cars in Grey. There is 1 RHD Grey car is in Thailand that is No9. This is possibly from the UK-allocated number of cars. Some of the remaining UK numbers of the grey cars are No07, No15, No16, No34, No35, No37, and No38- this may be a re-imported car.
I have a total of 27 RHD-believed ‘UK’ cars in the register, of both colours, Still searching for confirmation on the import & RHD export vehicle numbers though… also I have a Grey one that’s a possible import, also some of the Asia RHD cars come from the UK numbers. One of the issues with confirming the actual numbers is with the initial registration of the vehicles when they entered the UK. As mentioned before, some of the cars were simply classed as ‘Fiat’ or ‘Fiat 500’ and some as Abarth 500 – but tracking the cars down is what I try to do… so still searching.
All cars came with a numbered plaque below the centre console. These have a 001 to 499 range for the Bordeaux edition and a plaque from 01 to 50 on the Grey edition. Although limited to 499 in the Bordeaux colour, it’s possible only 480 actually sold worldwide and there were just 49 cars in Grey.
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There were 40 RHD for Australia. It’s known at least two of those have been written off.
There are 6 RHD for Asia countries. It seems there is just 1 RHD in Singapore, which went via the UK and was possibly used as a service car for Maserati. 3 RHD in Malaysia. There are 6 RHDs in Thailand. In Japan, they were given 100 cars. from the 499 quotas, these were all LHD vehicles, although It’s possible 3 UK / RHD cars went there. It’s believed only two cars were sold in Denmark, both LHD. There is one in Cyprus, possibly a UK car, which is RHD.
As many as 40 RHD exist for the ‘RHD markets’, not including Australia., most of these went via the UK and were distributed to RHD markets. There are 3 LHD cars in Turkey and 5 LHD in Israel. It seems there is now only one Grey one in Ireland, which is one that came from London, there were two but one which is an original ‘Irish’ car has now come to the south of England. In total around 250 Bordeaux Cars were destined for Europe in both LHD & RHD formats.
CLICK HERE FOR AN ORIGINAL PROMOTIONAL VIDEO
And so the search continues… Do you know of any? I’m interested in RHD in other countries. Also interested in the LHD numbers of any country. Let me know what you know. Any help would be much appreciated – thanks
Also, you can go to; www.instagram.com/abarth695maserati to view or register your car.
Copyright ©howmanymade
By the way… If this has been helpful in some way, then please mention where you got the information with an ” According to http://www.howmanymade.co.uk ” – It is Incredible how many simply steal the information to enhance their adverts and auctions!
A mention would be Greatly Appreciated for all the time I spend doing research to get the correct information – Regards, Mike.
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HOW MANY MADE 
I have just bought a RHD 695 Edizione Maserati, in Grigio Record Grey.
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Congratulations on your new purchase… only a handful of UK Grey cars. I went to see that one when it first came up for sale, lovely condition. Don’t believe it had the luggage with it, like most of the UK cars didn’t, strangely… Do keep in touch, new details being added to the website all the time – Mike.
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Hi
We have owned one of the Pontevecchio Bordeaux colour cars from new
This is a very informative & interesting article
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Hi Neil. Thank you for the feedback. Much appricated. I’ve contacted you directly. Mike
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Buonasera, ho trovato interessante l’articolo pubblicato. Sono il fortunato possessore di una edizione Maserati della serie grigia, completa di tutti gli accessori (borse comprese), e vi posso garantire che è una sensazione unica guidarla. Il problema è che avendo espresso questa mia emozione in famiglia, i miei figli me la chiedono spesso per uscire… Finirò per venderla.
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Wonderful. They are a special car indeed, very rare in the Grey. What number is yours?
Nice that you have the luggage and bit with it. You must keep it as your special car! – Mike
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We’ve had ours for four years now, bought it with one previous owner with 16.000 km on the clock. We love it and will most likely never sell it. There is only one thing that is disappointing and that is the JBL, it does really not sound like a 400w stereo, other than that, we could not love it more. It just have the ‘style’ factor that i.e. the Tributo Ferrari does not have.
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Hi there! And I do agree! Yeah, the stereo is great up to a point and then sort reaches its limit… but I can live with that in exchange of the ‘feel-good’ the car gives. What number is yours? And a country? I can add you to the register. (I won’t publish it on here) – Many thanks for getting in touch – Mike
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Hi Mike. Without doubt the best guide published and a testimony to the research you have afforded to this car. I have been interested in purchasing this rare edition for several years and close to making a move. Question is where are such cars for sale? Regards Peter Allen
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Hi Peter, many thanks for the feedback. Much appreciated.
Well with the amount out there in the Uk, they rarely come up for sale now. Also, most of the owners now realise how rare they are and are now deciding to keep them. I’ve had mine for about 18 months and love it. I also try to use it in the summer months, despite worrying about the mileage but what’s the point of ownership otherwise! But I can contact you when I hear of one coming for sale – Mike
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.Good evening, first of all congratulations for your research, they certainly express a great passion for cars. I am the owner of an Abarth 500 Maserati edition the one presented in Frankfurt in 2013, produced in 49 specimens, commemorating the birth of Abarth in 1949. I would like to ask you if you can hazard an evaluation of this model given its rarity. Unfortunately I decided to sell it and I have already received several interests. Clearly the car is equipped with all its accessories and is in excellent condition. Thanks for the attention.
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Hi Giovanni, thank you for the kind comments. The grey edition is certainly a rare car. Was yours the actual car from the Frankfurt show? What edition number is it? If yours is the actual car then it would command a stronger price than a normal car. There is a strong following for these editions in either colour. Let me know more information- Mike
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Hi Mike, the car was bought by my brother in law in FCA, and now is registered to my wife.
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Thanks, Giovanni, it’s one to keep in the family! I’ve registered your car in the collection – Many thanks,
Mike
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Hi Mike. fantastic work and research here if I may say so. I am currently looking very hard for a RHD car and not ruling out importing if necessary. So if you know or here of a Bordeaux car then I would be delighted to hear from you or anyone else. I will of course register my car with you once in ownership. Regards Peter Allen.
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Hi Peter, I’ve contacted you directly,
Mike
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how much were these new in the uk
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They were c£34k in 2014. Some deals were offered on the final few to sell them though… But at least £30k though. Thanks
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Superb article – thank you…
I have the grey version (purchased September 2014 from new)… love love love.
I have had a little dink on him (not my fault) which I’m trying to rectify but having all sorts of issues with Abarth dealers confirming what colour he is and the paint finish as he has the special 3-coat paint – aarrgggh…
I recently joined an Abarth Club and just love taking him out with all the other wonderful Abarths and showing off my unique, beautiful Edi!
Thanks again for such a wonderful article.
Sam…
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Hi Sam –
Thank you for the kind words, always appreciated. I think I know your car… we may have spoken before too.
Contact me via askhowmanymade@gmail.com because if it isn’t you that I’ve spoken to then there’s something I want to clear up about your car – Regards, Mike
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Hi there,
I purchased a Grigio grey version earlier this year, No 34/50.
With only a reported 7 rhd in the UK I thought I bet act fast. Do you see the grey model attracting stronger values in the future as opposed to the bordeaux model?
Final question, how many pieces of luggage did they come with from new? Was it one or two bags?
Regards
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Hi John,
I think the value will be fairly equal in the future based on the preference of colour to rarity. More prefer the Bordeaux colour but grey is the much rarer car.
As for the bags, well I own a Bordeaux one and bought it from the owner who bought it brand new and that didn’t ever come with the bags. I even contacted the garage/salesperson and they all act like ‘no idea mate’ – so I’m afraid a lot of the UK cars didn’t come with the bags… an issue from the original selling dealer it seems. Strangely a few bags come up for sale on eBay, one’s I know have never been with the cars!
So a dodgy setup from the original days. When the boxes were first delivered they came with the cars and you had to open them to get the book packs out so there was no excuse that they didn’t come with them.
kind regards
Mike
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Hi,
Thanks for the response.
I suppose with any future classic its difficult to predict where values will go. I did see a grigio grey model for sale on Autoscout a few months back at €50k. Which is probably the most expensive modern Abarth 695 I’ve ever seen advertised for sale. Wasn’t up for long so it may have sold.
Are you able to confirm how many pieces of luggage came with the Edizione Maserati?
Thanks
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Hi John, I have replied to the previous comment. Accidentally pressed send before I’d finished typing. Have a re-read.
Yeah, I saw that Autoscout one, stunning low miles one. Proper collector thing. They do have a strong following and a good collector’s base. I went to see your car a few years ago at St Alban’s when it was up for sale. I think I’ve put a picture on the site.
Regards, Mike
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Thanks Mike.
Yes it seems it made its way up north since then as I purchased in Hull back in May.
Yes I’ve previously read about the luggage set going missing from new. Must confess if I was paying around £32k for a new one back in the day, I would’ve insisted on the luggage irrespective. I note there are a couple of the original bags on Ebay now .
Cheers
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Absolutely, I’m guessing it was those who didn’t know about the bags that got caught out.
I’ve popped a picture on the website of your car. Yeah, your car was sold to a guy in the Cleethorpes area from that garage. he did put a lot of pictures of it on Instagram for a while with his private plate as the name. We were in touch for a while, I think he had to sell it due to ill health. Your car started life in Chelmsford I think.
Cheers
Mike
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I believe it was sold on from the chap in Cleethorpes to a lady I purchased it from in Hull. Anyway its a keeper for at least the next 5-6 years. 😆
Many thanks for the feedback Mike 👍
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Cool. keep in touch John, Mike
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Hi Mike, I received the email about the reply that l’ve never written. Thanks a lot for the attention.
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Haha sorry mate, not sure how that happened!
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Hi, I thought I would add another piece to the puzzle. My wife owns one which she has owned since Apr 17. The car has now completed 3000 miles.
Thanks,
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Thank you Dave, I have contacted you directly – Mike
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Hello Mike, I happened upon one ( Australia 457 / 499 ) that has the Ferrari style stripes on it ( silver ). An additional door graphic too. Is this likely to have been a dealer option, or more likely an after market addition? Your article is a very engaging read. Thanks for all your research.
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Thank you for the kind comments Peter. I would assume the stripes have been added on at a later date.
There are a few of them which have been ‘modified’ in some way or another.
Thank you also for the number. The Aussie cars seem to be all in the 450+ bracket of numbers and this is another one I can add.
Kind Regards, Mike
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Hello Mike, I have been intrigued by the subtle differences in the dash and switches between the RHD and LHD versions. I have been observing that some have heated seats located by the window controls, and the versions that could accommodate sat nav have the boost gauge lower near the steering wheel. These variations were for different regional markets or compliance with country’s regulations? I imagine there is a corelation with the ‘batch’ within the 499. I have yet to notice an Australian one with heated seats…
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