Success!

Benvenuti amici!

"Sexy People" indeed ~ Eat your heart out!

Feast your eyes on this handsome group of FIAT 500 drivers! Eighteen (2 Guccis, 5 Abarths, 2 500Ts, 4 Lounges, 2 Sports and 3 Pops) total 500s joined us for the first Guidare e Gelato meet. Ours was a gathering of good-looking, intelligent, passionate, fun, pleasant & real people.

Look! A 'cento Italian flag (albeit in reverse)...

We are looking forward to future meets and, if/when we receive them via email, adding the insights & suggestions of members to our agendas. Staying true to the automotive tradition established by FIAT long ago ~ our aim is only to propose the idea of these gatherings. What we do and how well it works is up to the collective. This is our club...

Dawn's nero Sport chillin' in the Lounge section...

Gang Of 4 mean, nero, turbo-charged 'centos!

However, I must admit to finding endless glee, to an obscene degree, in leading the Cream City FIAT Parade. Looking back on the string of 'centos, as we drove some 9 or 10 trouble-free miles, was nothing short of boss. From the look of it, the Harley Davidson riders, pedestrians and one - talk about a sign - Ferrari driver were loving the caravan of FIATs just as much. We had perfect conditions & best group of people for a chilled cruise.

The Italian invasion begins ~ still feeling the buzz!

Too many 500s to get in this one shot ~ so cool!

I have more exciting news to share. The CC5C grille badge is available for pre-order now here. As mentioned previously, the badge is available sans mount (for those with one), with nero mount (for those looking to match the mount with the classic FIAT honeycomb-style grille) and with cromo mount (for those with the belief one just cannot get enough of it on an Italian machine.

Unlike the vinyl window badges, I cannot offer the grille badge free-of-charge. I am not pre-purchasing them. This item is for sale to club members and FIAT fans. We, as a club, have secured a 10% discount on all orders. The discount code is… CC5C. Once again, they are now available for pre-order only. They will commence shipping this item after 13 September. Of course, my order is already in.

Finally, for those still interested in the CC5C vinyl window clings, we are out of the primary & secondary batches. Fortunately, we have a new batch coming in very soon. All we require is an email request and we will provide one badge per 500. The new crop will look slightly different...

As you can see, these will be printed with the name of the club in Italian, rather than English. But do not despair, this does not make the current badge any less authentic. We are, after all, driving the North American FIAT 500. I am an artist. We tinker. You doubt me? Ask Roberto Giolito. He used the differences between EU & NA regulations as an excuse to revisit his wildly successful creation. File this under creative license. Both versions were created from my hands and I love them equally. 'Nuff said.

I am stoked to get two Guccis for our first meet!

As mentioned several times before, I owe a great deal of thanks to the missus, FIAT, Troy (Midwest FIAT Corporate rep in attendance), Ryan, Tony, Brandon, Luke, Jim, Kyle & Mike for their encouragement and help in making this thing a reality. But, now, I also owe you a debt for help in making it a success.

Build it and they will come ~ quick shot of arrivals!

Troy (left), patiently waiting for us to sort it out...

Amado & Tony can't believe the turnout ~ Oh my!

We will compile and distribute photos as soon we can. In the meantime, you can check here for the shots Troy, my beautiful missus & I were able to snap. The photo shoot for our next meet will be in Cream City proper and be better organized, if we can get those RSVPs sooner than later. Can you imagine the shots we can get in the city?! Stay in touch ~ hope to see you next time ~ most importantly "May your smile shine on."

We are the Città Crema Cinquecento Club. Dig it!

Vivere.Amare.Guidare.

Ciao!

@

CC5C: The Day Has Arrived

Benvenuti amici!

Today we celebrate, life behind the wheel of a Cinquecento... a Topolino... a Cinquino... a Fitito... a Fića... a Fićo... a Fičko... a 'cento and other FIATs!

Use this quick reference to make yourself familiar with the route ~ just in case you are separated from the group. We will attempt to keep the speed between 25-45mph (depending on limit and area). 

Begin: The Studio

• << Turn left onto W Metro Auto Mall
• >> Turn right onto 107th street
• >> Turn right onto Appleton Ave
• >> Merge right onto N41/45/West Fondulac
• >> Take exit 48/145 keep right
• >> Turn right onto Brown Deer Road/E100
• >> Merge right onto Lake Drive
• >> Turn right onto Silver Spring Drive
• >> Turn right onto BayShore Drive (FIATs on parade!) we will be making a series of three left  hand turns to make our way around the piazza & back to La Coppa
• << Turn left into the Kohl's Store parking lot find a spot

End: La Coppa

Be careful and stay together along the route. The big fun in this thing is the look on onlookers' faces when they hear/see our small army of FIATs humming along in harmony. Thanks for your part in making this a fun little cruise!

Vivere.Amare.Guidare.

Ciao!

@

Che Cosa Significa CC5C?

Benvenuti amici!

Why Cream City Cinquecento Club/Città Crema Cinquecento Club? It's about time I break down the name of the club for those not in-the-know. First, allow me to concede the name, in Italian words, is not meant to be grammatically correct... it is stylistically correct. Grammatically correct, the name would read something like "Club Cinquecento di Città della Crema". We took artistic license in order to stylistically bring the Italian & English in alignment. With that bit of business out of the way…

Cream City - Cream City brick is a cream or light yellow-colored brick made from a clay found around Milwaukee WI, in the Menomonee River Valley and on the western banks of Lake Michigan. These bricks were one of the most common building materials used in Milwaukee during the mid and late 19th century, giving the city the nickname "Cream City" and the bricks the name "Cream City bricks". Cream City bricks were widely exported, making their way not only to American cities such as Chicago and New York, but also to Western & Central Europe.

Città [chi-tA] - (Italian) city, borough, town, capital, metropolis, urban center

Crema ['kreimə]- (Italian) cream

Cinquecento [chìngkwə chéntō]- (Italian) literally, five hundred, from cinque five (from Latin quinque) + cento hundred, from Latin centum

Club [klub] - an association of persons for some common object usually jointly supported and meeting periodically; also : a group identified by some common characteristic

Proper runabouts incite enthusiastic rallies

So, there it is. Now, you are aware what you and/or a loved one has gotten yourself/you into. This is going to be a blast and I am glad you, with your famiglia (including your 'cento), are along for the ride. Based on the number (twenty) of confirmations we received during the past two weeks, we suggest showing up a bit earlier than noon ~ if you intend to use the wash station and have your fluids/tire pressure checked. 

Happy Friday! See you tomorrow...

Vivere.Amare.Guidare.

Ciao!

@

CC5C: Sounds

Benvenuti amici!

Miles Davis' Move, John Coltrane's Locomotion, Charlie Parker's Chasin' the Bird , Thelonius Monk's Introspective, the entire Swing collection and BeBop slice of Jazz makes for brilliant 'cento driving soundtracks. I select a Jazz playlist on my Podicento© & feel like I can cruise coast-to-coast. The music makes for such a nice compliment to my daily commute. While operators of other vehicles muscle their way through traffic, I zoo-be-zoo-be-zoo my way over it all.

The 500 definitely adds swing to modern living

My father listens to traditional 'Jibaro' music called Seis (Andalusian/Southern Spanish folk music), Aguinaldo and Johnny Cash. My mother is a bit more 'hip' than that ~ she listens to James Brown, The Beatles and other contemporary music from her youth. This led to a broad musical palette for Amacento©. I always have one ear longingly focused on the past with the other one straining lustfully to hear what the future holds.

As I commit these words to the digital page, I realize much of this may ring familiar to design & engineering fans of the FIAT 500. 

New footprint - Same Flawless Style

But the saga doesn't end there. FIAT has a penchant for choosing genre-spliced tunes for their adverts. Here are a few examples...

This tune begins as what sounds like dreamy classical music, but suddenly becomes a masterfully crafted symphony of strings, blips and metallic boom. This Italian FIAT 500 spot contains a track by Raffaele 'Raphael' Gualazzi ~ that boldly straddles musical eras as well as genres. Everyone, by now, knows this tune and just as inspiring is the softer traditional rendition. Below is my personal favorite of them all...

This Itailan classic informed this modern tune

So, what do you play on your daily and/or weekend drive behind the wheel of your FIAT? More to the point, what will be on your playlist during our Guidare e Gelato meet (this Saturday)?

Until our FIATs join in humming harmony...

Vivere.Amare.Guidare.

Ciao!

@

CC5C: First Meeting Plan

Benvenuti amici!

We are only days away from our inaugural CC5C meet: Guidare e Gelato. This means it is nearly time to collectively celebrate our lives behind the wheel of the greatest city car ever designed, including all small FIATs ~ the 500 being the iconic hallmark to this breed of automobile. 

Let's have some fun...

Q: Where do we begin?

A: Bergstrom FIAT-USA of Milwaukee

11330 W Metro Auto Mall, Milwaukee, WI 53224

Q: Arrival time/reception?

A: Noon/31 August 2013 

Members will have the opportunity to meet one another and receive a short, casual briefing in regards to the activities & cruise route. We will do this over complimentary refreshments - provided by the studio - in the conference room. We will also use the opportunity to organize our vehicle pre-cruise check & wash bay list. It is first come ~ first serve...

12:15-1:15 PM

... The studio generously offered complimentary tire pressure/fluid checks of all member vehicles. We have available to us the vehicle wash bay & supplies. The early topolino gets the formaggio...

1:15-1:45 PM

... Members will have the opportunity to take photos of owners/famiglia & their respective 'centos together. The beautiful missus and I are more than happy to oblige photo requests. We would like a few group photos (owners, 'centos, owners with 'centos, all attendees with 'centos). It is a great way to mark the occasion...

Q: What is our destination?

A: La Coppa Gelato e Café ~ BayShore Town Center

5675 N BayShore Drive, Glendale, WI 53217

Q: ETA?

A: 2:00-2:15 PM

... Time to relax with new friends & family over some delicious gelato. We realize this is a holiday weekend and people may have other gatherings to attend. If some need to scoot off earlier than others, don't feel obligated to linger. We appreciate everyone sharing part of the day with our group and making this club a success from the start.  

We hope to see you next time...

Vivere.Amare.Guidare.

Ciao!

@

Edizione Speciale

Benvenuti amici!

Being a fan of the FIAT brand, in North America, can be tough. Yes, we have available to us what many would say is the best of the new breed of Italian city cars. Yes, the Dodge Journey is upgraded/rebadged/sold, in Europe, as a FIAT Freemont. Yes, we drive the same 500L as is available in Europe. But that is it. Unless you have the money to import & drive the other cars in the modern FIAT stable or own one of the classic variety, the common FIAT fan only has the FIAT 500, the 500L and the not-really-a-FIAT Dodge Journey. 

Luckily, the 500 is selling well enough on our shores and FIAT has deemed it worthwhile to offer a variety of special edition Cinquecentos here. Most of them will be or are, now, available for purchase. Some are meant to give us something to which to aspire. All are special in their own respect. But I am preaching to the choir. If you're reading this blog, you already know this. Let's take a look, just the same...

FIAT 500 Prima Edizione

The early/introductory edition which officially announced FIAT landing on our shores. Enter the "new wave of immigrants". Welcome to the party!

FIAT 500 Pink Ribbon Edition

Limited to 250, this is the extremely rare North American 500 which supported an equally important cause. FIAT & the Breast Cancer Research Foundation joined energies to put this edition into production.

FIAT Abarth 500

The FIAT Abarth 500 seemed a lot more like a special edition FIAT when first introduced. The local studios had one or two demos consumers could test drive. If you wanted to own one, you ordered it to your aesthetic and convenience specs. Since then, it would appear FIAT makes available, to studios, a certain allotment to order. Of course, consumers can still order the mighty mouse to their specs. Not nearly as rare as they once were but just as special as they have ever been. Nothing looks or sounds quite like it.

FIAT 500 + 500c by Gucci

The FIAT 500 + 500c by Gucci enjoys a lot more exclusivity than the Abarth 500. Neither studio nor consumer may order this rarified version of the Cinquecento at will. It was introduced as a pre-order item and, now, seems to be allotted to studios as a better-than-average-sales reward. If you have never seen one up close and personal, you owe it to yourself to do so. The interior is inspired, the cabrio top adds an extra level of chic and the metal flaked [nero] paint gives it that extra wow factor.

FIAT 500 Sport Turbo

The FIAT 500 Sport Turbo was introduced as a blank canvas for consumers interested in modifications. It fits, and is priced, perfectly between the 500 Sport & the Abarth 500. It is available in colors not available to the Abarth ~ but it is not available in every color available to the standard 500. The 'blacked-out' head/taillights are the star of the show with this Cinquino.

500c Beach Cruiser + Abarth 500 Cafe Racer

These concept cars were introduced in tandem with the FIAT Custom Shop. They set the FIAT-USA world on fire with their cutting design and absolutely flawless execution. The Beach Cruiser takes the base cabrio to the outer limits of what can be done with the simple city car. The Cafe Racer strips the Abarth 500 down to its bare-bones. We have yet to see the Custom Shop realized to completion, but we still have these stunning images to keeping us dreaming.

FIAT 500 Sport + Sport Turbo Cattiva

Introduced shortly after the entries above, this was presented as a concept car considered for production. Apparently, the concept was very popular ~ it will available in the standard Sport as well as the Sport Turbo.

Abarth 500 Tenebra

Introduced with the Cattiva, this matte Abarth has not been introduced for actual production yet. This mighty mouse incorporates some design elements first introduced to the market in the 500 Sport Turbo package.

FIAT 500e

There is no denying this electric version of our beloved 500 is rare. It is only available in California-USA and in low numbers. This sexy e-Cinque may make it to other states with zero emissions-sales mandates. Even then, it will be rare in the 'cento line-up. There are no plans to make it available elsewhere.

Abarth 500c

This beautiful cabrio tears the roof off the standard Abarth 500. The canvas top adds chic to the performance-focused Scorpione. At the moment, sightings of this sexy beast are still rarified when compared to its hard-top twin.

FIAT 500GQ

We should have seen this one coming, but were completely blindsided upon announcement. The styling & specs of this exclusive cabrio sits it perfectly between a Sport Turbo and an Abarth 500c. FIAT continues to bridge the gap between the fashion & automobile industries as only they can.

By now, you may be wondering why you are reading an entry about Special Edition 500s. I have great [in a roundabout way] related news for every member, representative and fan of the Cream City 500 Club. I approved the first ever CC5C grille badge today. It will not magically transform your Cinquino to special edition status, but it is a special spin off the CC5C window badge. 

Unfortunately, I cannot offer this item free to anyone. What I can do is guarantee it will stand out among other grille badges ~ just as your 500 stands design & execution above other city cars. It will be available sans mount (for those who already have one), a nero mount and a cromo mount. In addition, club members will receive a 10% discount on their orders.

We hope to see this available for order from this vendor by the estimated 13 September 2013. As always, I will keep you in the loop.

Until its arrival, here is a sneak peak...

Vivere. Amare.Guidare.

Ciao!

@

CC5C: Meeting Details

Benvenuti amici!

I return with more exciting details regarding the first ever Cream City 500 Club Guidare e Gelato meet.

I recently visited our local studio (LS). On behalf of Midwest FIAT Corporate & the studio, Brandon kindly extended a very warm welcome to the club. The FIAT of Milwaukee welcome includes...

• Complimentary pre-cruise tire pressure & fluid/s check
• Complimentary access to the studio conference room
• Complimentary access to the studio vehicle wash bay
• Complimentary refreshments (water, soda, cookies)
• Access to Brandon ~ answer owner-related questions
• Continued support of the CC5C ~ check it out here...

As is made clear through their generosity, FIAT USA-MKE is definitely committed to helping us make this a buzzing success off the line. I am glad to have the level of support we enjoy [from the start]. It helps encourage future participation and growth of the brand as well as the club. 

On the subject of growth, I see more and more 'centos on Cream City streets. This is exciting for me. I neither need nor want to see them on "... for everyone" level, but more 500s on North American roads should equate to better long term support for the consumer and that higher level of support is a very good thing. It's the proverbial gift that keeps on giving. The brand wins = The local studios win = We win.

Back to the meet update. As mentioned in earlier entries, all FIAT owners are invited to  join the club & meets. The Italian automaker, long ago, established a legacy of designing suitable transport for various lifestyles. My ambition is to be a mirror of said legacy. Whether you are simply celebrating your everyday life behind the wheel of a FIAT or you are showing off your weekend toy, this is your club. You... I... we make it work ~ together. The same can be said for the brand as a whole. For me, the latest Abarth 500 print ad/video makes the point literal.

Brandon has asked me to give him advance notice, if I expect a larger group. You can help determine that by contacting us no later than a week in advance. It will help the folks @ FoM better prepare to host us. I look forward to seeing you on the 31st of the month. More smiles per mile...

Vivere.Amare.Guidare.

Ciao!

@

CC5C: The Day Approaches

Benvenuti amici!

The first meet-up for the club is quickly approaching. I am looking forward to seeing a small group of tiny cars zipping around the city of Milwaukee. The more reading I do on other FIAT clubs, the more resolved I am to get this on the road. 

Ryan Lenfestey, the amazing former Director @ our LS, always spoke to me about putting together a FIAT club. He recognized my passion for the little mouse and thought a local club could do good things for owners, the studio & the brand in North America. I was aware Tony Westley, the former in-the-know Specialist @ our LS, once led drives for another city car brand. Also being a FIAT 500 owner, I thought he might be interested in partaking in a club geared toward FIATs and was inspired to at least give the idea more serious consideration.

Still, I dragged my feet on the idea until going out for a day drive with another owner-couple. I was sold. I committed myself to designing what I thought would be a worthy badge logo and name for meet-ups/drives of the would-be club. Once I settled on a look, I used my experience with another [unrelated] blog to set up this spot. In addition, I posted club threads on some established FIAT enthusiast forums to help draw local attention.

I am pleasantly surprised to find a good percentage of site traffic from other states & countries. Of course, much of this traffic is likely due to the various club links I include on this page and that is the point of including such things. I want to avoid becoming a tiny, static, digital island. There is plenty of passion for these great city cars to go around. I dig the idea of acting as vehicle to help stimulate said passion. So, a big THANK YOU to all the visitors from around the world is in order. Due to the added interest, I have included the translate tab & enabled comments. My goal is to continue to include content of interest and, in doing so, add value to your ownership experience. So, I hope you are enjoying all the hidden video clips embedded in my entries.

To the early members of the CC5C, thanks for expressing your passion for the brand with your online presence and supporting the efforts to get this thing started. In response to this support, I have decided to offer the initial batch of window badges [at our LS] gratis. I have already contacted the studio about refunding any money collected. I look forward to seeing you all, with your 'centos, the final Saturday of this month.

Vivere.Amare.Guidare.

Ciao!

@