Around 1974 the former Traffic Service of the National Dutch Police situated in Driebergen
( Netherlands ), predecessor of the present National Police Corps, made serious test drives with the
Fiat 124 Spider Abarth (CSA) to serve as their speedy highway automobile for control and surveillance tasks on the
Dutch highways. The text on the car ' Rijkspolitie' means literally ' Kingdom Police'.
That these tests were prepared and set up thoroughly may be concluded from the installed equipment
that can be seen on the picture below. As a matter of fact, these photographs are unique and the only
visual aids that still exists of this special ' Spider venture' of the National Dutch Police.
Click on this photo for a larger representation.
We were informed by our member Willem-Jan Kleppe, that he posesses -as the only person in the
world- a large Spider poster of these 'speedy traffic guys' from Driebergen. A poster, that was
hanging in the works canteen of this specific police department for many years and that he succeeded
in 'prizing off' this unique object in a rather clever move.
Willem-Jan promised us a nice picture of it for our website !
Click on this photo for a larger representation.
The Fiat Spider Abarth lost the tests against its opponent Porsche 911 in the end.
Apart from the fact that the Porsche had more power under extreme circumstances than the Abarth,
possibly also aspects like firmness of construction, a higher maximum speed ( 200 km. for the Spider
against 220 km. for the Porsche) and likely a relatively higher trade-in value for the Porsche after
a period of intensive or brute use were the decisive issues in this unusual, but amusing competition.
Probably the police-guys missed the Spider ad below. If not, they definetely would have made
another choice ! Haha !
Click on this photo for a larger representation.
Control.......! With a waving right arm and a commanding voice from the loudspeaker on the back of
the Spider, it is made clear to turn to the next exit Maarn / Doorn and stop there for whatever reason !
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The 124 Spider Abarth 61-AN-17 and the 61-AN-18 served
the AVD (National Traffic Service) between February 1974 and October 1977. Registration
number 17 disappeared already a long time ago (about 20 years ago) from the lists of
the Dutch Fiat 124 Spider Register. Number 18 was registered up to 1989 and disappeared without a trace ever since. |
