The Beginning
2017 is where it all started… 30th September to be precise. Three Abarth owners, passionate about the brand, formed AOC Sussex, Surrey & Hampshire, a local community to unite like-minded people who share an interest in the scorpion. Initially, the club started as a Facebook group, creating an online community where discussions could take place and meets were organized. The club was small, hosting only three events in its first year, but as the brand grew in popularity, it was certain that the club would grow in turn.
First Club Meet at Goodwood – Goodwood Motor Circuit
Abarths at Westerham Brewery 2017
Club Get Together at Newlands Corner
Auto Italia 2019 – Brooklands Museum
Abarths at Goodwood 2019 – Goodwood Motor Circuit
Brunch at Rykas Cafe – Dorking
The Relaunch
In 2018, the club underwent a relaunch, establishing the foundations of what exists today. A new team took over the helm, aiming to grow the community and expand beyond the Facebook platform. The club’s official YouTube channel was launched, providing our first presence outside of Facebook, with videos capturing meets and events to give those who were unable to attend a taste of what the club was about. 2018 was also the year the club established its nickname “AOCSSH,” as the full name was quite a mouthful!
In 2019, the club continued to grow, with events increasing year on year and the online community thriving! Alongside this, a rebrand was in motion. This was the year the AOCSSH Shield debuted, with the final design being voted on by members, becoming the club’s primary logo. Stickers and clothing featuring the new logo became available for purchase at events, raising funds for the club’s website launch.
2020 was planned to be a huge year for the club, with a calendar packed with exciting events, from national gatherings to breakfast social meets. Unfortunately, COVID put a stop to all of that, and for most of the year, the club went into hibernation. However, the online community remained active throughout, providing a source of positivity and connection during isolating times.
Summer Picnic 2020 – Urnfield Sports Ground
Festival Italia 2020 – Brands Hatch
Sunset at Devils Dyke 2019 – Brighton
Cars at the Castle 2021 – Hever Castle
AOCSSH Rally 2021 at Beaulieu National Motor Museum
All Italian Meet 2021 – Departure Cafe Alton
The Merge
2021 was a significant year for the club. After a year of lockdowns, the club was eager to make up for lost time. The most notable change was the merger of AOCSSH and Abarth Club Sussex. With both clubs sharing the same ethos and covering Sussex County, it was decided to join forces and create one united Abarth community. It was at this time that AOC Sussex, Surrey & Hampshire gained its Scorpionship status, making it an official Abarth club.
Continued Growth
2022 marked the first full year of events after COVID. Many events that were absent from the calendar during the pandemic made a return. In 2023, the club also achieved a record-breaking event, our Breakfast at Goodwood, which attracted over 100 Abarths. That same year, we welcomed John Evans from Autocar magazine to our Easter event at Ryka’s Café. He wrote a feature on the club, which was published in the May 2022 edition of Autocar.
2023 was the busiest year to date for the club, hosting 46 events, and we didn’t limit our activities to our three counties. We also organized the first AOCSSH road trip, which spanned 11 days, travelled 2,000 miles, and went through six countries—it was a memorable adventure.
European Tour 2023 – Great St Bernard Pass
John Evans from Autocar Visits AOCSSH
Breakfast at Goodwood 2023 – Goodwood Motor Circuit