Benvenuti amici!
It's been a while since we last hosted you. We trust you passed the final weeks of summer in passion, purpose, peace... and your FIAT and/or ABARTH.
Have you ever wondered why FIAT seems so hellbent on the inclusion of the female form in their ad campaigns? What is the connection? It may not be what you think. Sure, the female form is one of nature's great works of art, but the function of the fairer sex's heart & brain can be just as captivating... and mysterious to males.
We read, hear and celebrate of the men responsible for the machines that make our lives easier and otherwise more enjoyable. But little is written or spoken of the women responsible for supporting their industrial efforts and/or making their homes a place where they could restore their seemingly inexhaustible energy. Today we take a moment to salute two women of note; Nadja Abarth-Žerjav and Anneliese Abarth. Karl "Carlo" Abarth was married three times, but little has been written about his first wife. So, we shall move on.
I consider the definitive book on Small but Wicked to be ABARTH: The Man, The Machines. Featured prominently throughout the first half or so of the book is Sr. Abarth's second wife. Much is known about her due, in large part, to the social and historical stature of her family. So, we begin with Nadja "Nadina" Abarth-Žerjav.... daughter of famous Slovene-Yugoslav lawyer-activist-politician Gregor Žerjav... who was born in Gorizia, 1912. Sra. Nadja came from a highly educated and successful Slovenian family. She met Karl "Carlo" Abarth in the early '40s and married him in 1949... the same year ABARTH & Co. was founded.
So, how is it possible Nadja Abarth Žerjav is scarcely mentioned in global motoring circles? How, indeed.
The fact she was a humble person and did not make dramatic public appearances with the maestro may have something to do with the lack of mention (regarding her contributions). But... given her social status, the powerful contacts she had throughout Europe and the [7] languages she spoke, it is easy to imagine her a unique asset for any post-war industrialist. In fact, Abarth-Žerjav was/is quite well-known (as Nadina) in Turin Italy for the circles in which she freely moved and the part she played in the European automotive revolution. She brought the Austrian, Italian and Slovenian worlds together in much the same way as the most beautiful European mountain ranges.
The mind boggles at the value add a person/woman like Sra. Nadja would be for even the most modern business. Hers was a key role in the most early formation and successes of Compagnia Industriale Sportiva Italia a/k/a CIS-Italia or Cisitalia, the Squadra ABARTH racing team and the wild track & road models don Carlo would create until their divorce was finalized in 1979. We are honored to remember her, in this way, here.
Nadja Abarth-Žerjav passed in the year 2000 and was buried in the family plot at the Žale state cemetery (Ljubljana, Slovenia). We thank her for the smiles per mile owed to her great support of - invaluable service to - Sr. Abarth.
The loving memory and awe-inspiring legacy of Sr. Karl "Carlo" Abarth is survived by the commercial exploits if FIAT S.p.A. a/k/a FIAT Chrysler Automobiles and the diligent personal work of Anneliese Abarth. Sra. Anneliese, born in Austria 1939, began her professional life as a model with a special interest in Motorsport. She met don "Carlo" in 1964. The two became romantically involved and [later] married in 1979. He, with Anneliese at his side, consistently contributed to the democratization of the race car and beyond until sadly he returned to the stars... the Scorpius Constellation... later that year. But the story has only begun.
Sra. Abarth, an enthusiast, continues to focus her energies into the split-second thrill that is the motoring world. She co-founded FilmGo and produced racing films for Formula 1 and America's Cup for German television. She created Motorsport documentaries and still regularly appears at events. These activities put Sra. Anneliese in a position to continue the work to which her late husband devoted his entire working life as well as create a unique name for herself in the arena of speed. She continues to passionately promote the world of land & sea sports today and is the founder of the Carlo Abarth Foundation. Check out the website and the accompanying Facebook page today. You can also keep up with/follow the passion-filled life adventures of Anneliese Abarth by visiting her personal Facebook page.
So, you see, female Function & Form are, in more ways than one, the crucial cornerstones and successful commercial future of the Cult of the Scorpion.
We read, hear and celebrate of the men responsible for the machines that make our lives easier and otherwise more enjoyable. But little is written or spoken of the women responsible for supporting their industrial efforts and/or making their homes a place where they could restore their seemingly inexhaustible energy. Today we take a moment to salute two women of note; Nadja Abarth-Žerjav and Anneliese Abarth. Karl "Carlo" Abarth was married three times, but little has been written about his first wife. So, we shall move on.
So, how is it possible Nadja Abarth Žerjav is scarcely mentioned in global motoring circles? How, indeed.
The mind boggles at the value add a person/woman like Sra. Nadja would be for even the most modern business. Hers was a key role in the most early formation and successes of Compagnia Industriale Sportiva Italia a/k/a CIS-Italia or Cisitalia, the Squadra ABARTH racing team and the wild track & road models don Carlo would create until their divorce was finalized in 1979. We are honored to remember her, in this way, here.
Vivere.Amare.Guidare.
Ciao!
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