Benvenuti amici!
On 11 July 1899, a group of Italian investors, including Giovanni Agnelli, founded the Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino (Italian Automobile Factory Turin). FIAT or Fiat has enjoyed European automotive dominance for nearly 100 years. In the 101 year history of the company, the Agnellis have seemingly done it all. Now, they can add creating a true global phenomenon to their already overwhelming & growing list of technological achievements.
The company has managed to achieve this through the least likely of means ~ introducing a tiny city car inspired by the genius creations of Dante Giacosa ~ most notably; the mythical 1936-1955 FIAT 500 'Topolino' & the legendary 1957-1975 FIAT Nuova 500.
The 1957 iteration of this little mouse, below left, is where FIAT & Abarth chief designer, Roberto Giolito, most obviously drew his inspiration for his own 2004 Trepiùno concept car & it's chip off the ol' block offspring ~ the Simple, Modern and most importantly Fun to drive 2007 Nuova 500.
Genius: don Giacosa, '57 Cinquino & '36 Topolino
Modern Genius: Giolito's Trepiùno Concept
Bottling the Past in an Original & Modern Way
The 2007 500 is a global hit allowing the Agnellis to successfully move into many other markets and, since launch, introduce several versions of the 500 (Pop, Cabrio, Sport, Lounge, Sport Turbo, Abarth, Abarth Cabrio, 500e) to the world. Each one is a fine example of the ultimate city car and maintains the core principles the company established decades ago.
The newest addition to the famiglia is the FIAT 500L (See; below). This, too, drew inspiration from the past. Roberto Giolito wanted the 'Elle' to have obvious lineage to the 500 without lazily creating a large, bulbous version of the Cinquino. To achieve this, he looked to the FIAT 600 Multipla & the Fiat 500K Giardiniera ~ always considering the simplest and most stylish ways to give drivers what they require in a modern world while leaving what they do not on his drawing table. This philosophy is proof of artistic mastery.
500L: Lightning Strikes 'Multipla' Times
FIAT 500: Modern Art on Wheels
This brings us to why we are here. I founded the Cream City 500 Club to celebrate shared enthusiasm for the small bits of automotive bliss ~ the classic & neo classic FIAT 500 as well as other FIATs. There are no special rules or fees involved. This is about the 'cento, fans and fun. To be honest, your wise purchase is admission enough. Oh! What would a club be without a smart logo to represent its members? I designed the badge, below, with Italian automotive history and the brilliant simplicity of the car which inspired it in mind. My long time friend and artistic partner in crime, Alberto Rios, digitized the image. Grazie Mille, Ponbiki! The logo will initially be available as a vinyl window badge @ a low cost. I ordered samples in the bianco on nero version and also have a nero on bianco version as well as different colored backgrounds ready to go to print, if I find there is a demand for variants.
By now, you may be wondering what a FIAT-loving group of loonies might do during their meets ~ Living, Laughing & Driving is as good a place to start as any. If this reads like something up your alley, you can get more info about the CC5C @ our Facebook page. Ride & Smile!
Vivere. Amare. Guidare.
Ciao!
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*Legal: FIAT,Fiat, Nuova 500, Trepiuno, FIAT 500, Abarth, FIAT 600 Multipla, FIAT 500 K Gardiniera, 500L, other FIAT-related product and the photos included herein are © their respective owners and appear here as fanfare. The author claims no rights to and/or ownership of the photos/art of others. The thoughts, opinions and feelings expressed in CC5C © blog entries are not representative of or endorsed by FIAT S.p.A or FIAT-Chrysler USA. They are representative of and endorsed by the author and club. The CC5C © blog and CC5C © Facebook page were created for fan entertainment. Pure. Simple. Fun. We trust you will enjoy your visit, come back for more and share the love, life & brand with others. Grazie.
