FIAT Cinema

Benvenuti amici!

There are a few things the Italians do well. Food, Mechanical invention, Drawing, Painting, Architectural Design, Interior Design, Style, Trendsetting, Pop music, footie, Motorized Transport Engineering, Design & Styling and Marketing are just a few of the gifts bestowed to the land of the boot. The Italians make certain these gifts come together in various ways, but none so perfectly as they come together in their films.

Specifically, the films of the '60s poured on the nationalism like no other era in the history of the country. Homegrown scooters & cars were filmed zipping in-and-out of insane Italian traffic. 

The tradition of showcasing the zesty metal quickly spread beyond Italian borders. Even the Brits, famous for their own brand of nationalism, could not resist getting in on the action. Despite the fact their Mini is the star of the show, The Italian Job opens with Italian luxury & super cars, while the majority of the filming is set in Torino (Turin) and sets its lens on quite a few 500s.

A few of many FIATs featured in The Italian Job

The Japanese seem to love the visage of Fititos too. There are two high profile anime, Lupin III & Dragon Ball, which featured the classic FIAT 500. The car plays just as much a key role in Lupin III as any other character in the long running manga/anime/feature film series. 

Lupin III

Dragon Ball

In the USA, the car love in film has usually been reserved for our domestic muscle cars and the occasional European luxury & super cars. However, in recent years, FIATs are showing up in our cinema. 

Disney/Pixar's Cars

Disney/Pixar deemed the Cinquino important enough in automotive history to create two key roles in their hit film as well as expanding to more than four in its sequel. It is always fun, for me, because I enjoy a bit of Latin flare. Ah, the flare. It all starts with the t.v. spots. FIAT makes the best use of syndicated shows as well as traditional television adverts.

FIAT 500 Abarth: Anger Management

FIAT 500e: environmentally sexy

The automaker actually refers to its television adverts as short films. To be sure, the narrative in many of those spots qualifies them as such. There is a seemingly endless treasure trove of these clips and they come from all corners of the world. They star the gamut of the FIAT line-up over the years and vary from strictly business to soap opera-style comedy to goofy action shorts. 

The FIAT approach to marketing, whatever their latest release happens to be, resonates with me. The approach is what is commonly referred to (in graphic novels) as 'slice of life' and very few, if any, pages are left unturned.

FIAT Palio 'Hands Off' spot

FIAT Grande Punto 'Italian Job' Spot


FIAT 500 'Immigrants' spot

… but I digress... Here is a peek at some modern non-Italian motion pictures featuring the Cinquecento (and other FIATs). May it inspire you to snatch a few precious hours with your loved ones, soaking in a bit of cinematic fun, while you take pride in seeing your daily driver on the big screen.

The American

You Will Meet A Tall Dark Stranger

Cars 2

Rum Diary

Total Recall

Identity Thief

"We'll see you at the movies..."

Vivere.Amare.Guidare.

Ciao!

@

Un Club Americano

Benvenuti amici!

Not long ago I announced, in a blog entry and on the CC5C FB page, my choice of membership with FIAT Club America. The organization started many years ago... as a pen pal group, founded by Santo Bimbo, once called FIAT Club of America and [later] FIAT Lancia Unlimited. It has grown quite a bit since then and enjoys the distinction of bending the ear of the Italian automaker in North America. My interest in the organization has nothing to do with their status, though. There are three specific things, about FCA, that I find  intriguing. 

1) People & the FIATs they drive

One thing I've learned over the time I have lived with La Fee Verte is I get a kick out of seeing other people as happy & excited about FIATs as I am. I read about it, hear about it and/or see it and I swear I feel greater excitement than imaginable. In fact, the feeling has been so strong and so often I have given serious thought to leaving my current career path to secure a future working at FIAT USA in one capacity or another. 

As a pragmatic and fiscally conservative person, I have thus far been unable to simply leave a paying job to pursue my passion. So, with the support of the loving missus, I founded the CC5C, established this blog & launched the CC5C Facebook page. I have no idea whether, or for how long, these three activities with stave off my desire to add my talents to the pool of deft skill at the parent to the little mouse, but I know seeing the smiles on the faces of the famiglia is doing my soul lots of good!

2) FIAT FreakOut

2013 FIAT FreakOut

Since 1983, North American FIAT aficionados (mostly focused on FIAT's working class sports cars) have met on the East Coast to celebrate the cars they love with other people sharing their passion.

I have been aware of FIAT -- primarily by the 1957 500, the FIAT 124 Spider, the FIAT 128 & Alfa Romeo Spiders -- since my teens & tweens. I always thought them some exotic car I could never dream of owning. Although the jury is still out on the Alfa, it turns out FIATs are nothing if not affordable cars. In fact, as my studies of the automaker have taught me, FIAT is the original 'by the people, for the people' car brand.

While post-purchase researching my first Italian city car, I came across the FCA website. I delighted in the idea of one day joining other owners of what I always thought were examples of MODern Art on Wheels. Alas, it appeared I would need to make the voyage to my favorite coast to make that a reality. It will be some time before I will have the heart to put those kinds of miles on my Pretty Green Pop. Enter the 2014 FIAT FreakOut. Yes! Finally! July 10-13, FCA will let their freak flag fly in the Chicagoland area.

With the CC5C seed growing roots, my goal is to be part of a 10 or more FIAT caravan representing our little club at the summer extravaganza!

3) Ricambi magazine

As a bit of an obsessive person, I like to be able to read as much about what interests me as I am able. As a former small press publisher of comic books, I am a huge fan of printed special interest periodicals. This combination can be tricky, if one happens to be a North American fan of FIAT. 

It seems every brand and car enthusiast, save FIAT & FIATisti, has a fan magazine on the racks. By now, you can imagine how frustrating a visit to the nearest magazine vendor must be for me. I am left with turning the pages of various car rags in hopes of finding an advert or lame 'don't care about Italian design' review of 500s and 500Ls. 

Fortunately, included in the annual membership fee with FIAT Club America is a 6-issue Ricambi magazine subscription. The bi-monthly publication includes articles about former FreakOuts & other get-togethers, affectionate recollections about beautiful, little Italian machines and a slew of other point-of-interest editorials. At a mere $35 for the annual FIAT Club America fee, the price tag is clearly competitive with many mass-produced hobbyist publications.

I trust you found this entry as engaging and informative as past scribblings and I hope, if you are active/interested in being active in local CC5C gatherings, you will consider joining us in representing our group at the FreakOut next year. Cute little caravans are cool!

Vivere.Amare.Guidare.

Ciao!

@

La Storia del Scorpione e Topolino

Benvenuti amici!

The long history and heavy influence of FIAT S.p.A. (Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino Società per Azioni) is clear to those keeping up with this blog, other blogs, official/unofficial auto sites, programs/documentaries and books. FIAT, the family-owned and run Italian industrial powerhouse, has been involved in the automobile business since the business was little more than an enthusiasts game. In the area of their specialty, small/city/economy/B-segment cars, FIAT (also written Fiat) is arguably the most influential and innovative brand of the bunch.

It is a good thing for consumers, and car enthusiasts alike, the tiny giant is not leaving it up to their fans to get the word out. In 2007, the automaker reintroduced itself to the simple yet stylish (and affordable) 2-dr market with a modern version of their flagship creation… the 500 or Cinquecento. Included in the relaunch package is the perfectly simple Pop, the heavily chromed Lounge and the storied 500 Sport (re-imagined for the North American market), of Hockenheim fame, first introduced in 1958.

The 500 Abarth & 500c quickly followed. This gave Italian car aficionados and/or general consumers, looking for more style in their eco-car, plenty of choices to match their respective driving style/s and aesthetic taste/s.

Not satisfied to rest on their laurels, FIAT reintroduced itself to the 4-dr market with a modern melding of the 1956 600 Multipla & 1960 500K/Giardiniera. Having found international interest and stronger foreign market relationships, these latest versions of what FIAT does best are finding a much larger audience. For the first time in history, the Italians look to be moving into markets across the pond with no intent of ever again becoming wholly dependent on their homeland for financial stability.

So, what does one do when finding oneself before a global audience? If you are FIAT, you build drivable reminders of your history in the form of heritage-focused special edition FIATs. Here are the two latest homage variant offerings from the master of the sexy scorpion & the cute, little mouse.

The king of small car performance

In 1963, at the Torino Motor Show, Carlo 'Karl' Abarth introduced his FIAT 595 Abarth to the world. Now, in 2013, FIAT is celebrating the event with a 50th anniversary special edition. This 500 Abarth variant truly takes a few more steps to the extreme in design elements, specifically the interior. 

Some of my favorite detailing elements in this superb package are; the chrome bonnet spear, the chrome mirror caps, the striking front seats & the sensual red dash panel. In my opinion, these decisions hit all the right notes.

Realizing the world is just about as fired up about the heritage of the Cinquecento as is the automaker, FIAT has announced they will also celebrate the 57th birthday of the 1957 Nuova 500 with an anniversary edition in 2014.

The king of small car design

Dante Giacosa is the designer/engineer of many inspiring motorized vehicles, but he is best remembered for the original 1936 FIAT 500 (Topolino), the 1952 FIAT 600 & their offspring ~ the 1957 Nuova FIAT 500. The thumbprint of its brilliantly simple design can be found in the engineering of every economy car on the planet since.

The modern version of the 1957 Cinquino will be available in verde chiaro and this gorgeous azzurro. My favorite of the detailing elements included in this package are the all around period badging, the retro wheels, the matching mirrors/dash panel & the tricolor door panels. 

Roberto Giolito, Head of Design FIAT & Abarth, is to be commended for all the wonderful designs coming out of Torino these days. For me, history never looked so good or felt this fun. Kudos to FIAT for taking every turn, at breathtaking speed, to keep their iconic creations relevant & exciting without leaving their groundbreaking history in the dust.

Vivere.Amare.Guidare.

Ciao!

@

La Mia Vita con La Fee Verte

Benvenuti amici!

We, the CC5C, enjoy sharing life enthusiasm with others. Whether it is our latest modification, road/air excursion and/or famiglia cruise ~ we wish people as much fun as we are experiencing. This week we choose to share a snapshot, more accurately snapshots, of our FIAT 500 trek with you.

Although there is an end to this entry, our life travels continue to bring us to the beginning of the next… and the next… and the next... We hope you get a kick out of this peek into our family album.

We begin this photographic trip at our first FIAT rental (a bianco 500 Pop w/nero interior). Enterprise rental offered me a Chevy Aveo or  the other small economy car they had on-hand. No-brainer, yeah?

A 500 Pop like this was my first drive...

I knew of the little Italian, because a little bird alerted me when they began rolling out of factories in Europe. I read anything and everything I could about the new Cinquecento. There was plenty to be found about the European model, but the North American version was just too new here. 

It seemed every article was more focused on how ill-suited the reviewers thought it to the USAmerican market than the build & design quality. I was left with little choice other than relying on safety scores, price point comparisons and European reviews.

Roughly a month or two later it was absolutely decided in my mind. If I could swing the payments and find a color combination with which I could live for some time, I would drive home in a FIAT. I asked a gear head buddy to kick tires & test drive with me. I had to make sure it was solid in comparison to others in its class.

Well, it did far more than measure up to the other options. It pulled on my heart strings. As much as I put on airs, I knew I was hooked when I laid eyes on this Pretty Green Pop w/tri-color interior. The avorio wheel worried me a bit, I must admit, but not enough to steer my decision in another direction. I would drive away with La Fee Verte.

… First photo (note the brick)...

… MODern Art on Wheels...

I must say, as an lifelong artist, I find Italian small cars to be some of the most photogenic machines on the road. The 500 is, at once, a study in Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Minimalism and Pop Art. Come to think of it, there is also a bit of Ukiyo-e and Chinese brush painting in its design ~ as much about what is not there as what is. Art imitates life.

… First 500 Miles…

We record many milestones; the first 500 miles, the first 1000 miles, the first 1500 miles, etc were recorded with photographs. Another interest we, well I, took up is customization. The first of which, for me, was the fog lights. I had to have them. But it didn't stop there.

… First Mod ~ Fog Lights…

 … And another ~ Shifter & Boot…

… And another ~ Hatch Pull Strap…

… First multi-FIAT Cruise…

I enjoy sharing the acquired knowledge of the 500 with others. I find the exchange of information very enriching. Knowledge is useless unless it is shared. One couple was so appreciative of this free exchange they invited us for friendship, a cruise and dinner. This experience would feed my imagination through the upcoming winter.

… First Winter…

… She handled the first snow storm…

… With plenty of personality…

… The missus feeds my inner geek…

… Knitted gift ~ FIAT afghan…

What does a Fiatista do through the cold, blistery winter months? Curse the use of salt, of course. That is until the first thaw ~ when keeping the little 'Cento clean (salt/slush-free) no longer feels like a futile exercise. If one is wise, one also uses that time to develop a healthy relationship with the people trusted to care for one's investment each time one drops it off for regular maintenance and… mods.

… First 12 months…

… LFV gets some B-day goodies too…

How did FIAT get a non-car guy to start collecting clothing and other tidbits to  publicly proclaim his affinity for the brand and, especially, the automaker's flagship model? Beats me. But my creative juices were flowing and, as is the case with most artists, I felt the need to share. Could it have been the cabin fever I caught during the long Wisconsin frost? Whatever it was, I created a club ID logo for a club which did not, yet, exist.

… Committing an idea to paper…

… From paper to LFV…

… To the People (1st Guidare e Gelato cruise)…

… To the City (2nd Guidare e Gelato)…

… Partners-in-Smile (3rd Guidare e Gelato)…

I enjoyed creating the first MKE FIAT life community logo so much I also created one inspired by the name of an online I sometimes visit. We are not certain whether we will also offer it as a vinyl window cling/badge, but we are fans of Euro-style grille badges ~ like the one I created for CC5C. In any case, this too is about sharing the fruits of life.

… One of 3 variations for FIAT 500 Owners...

… LFV becomes shinier over time…

… More miles & smiles to come…

We are still smiling and sharing our life passion with other FIAT life enthusiasts (online as well as in-person). La Fee Verte has afforded us the same thing her ancestors offered the Italians, Spaniards, Yugoslavians, Russians, Poles, Slovaks, Czechs, Greeks, Portuguese,  Francs, Brits, Dutch, Germans, other Europeans and Latin Americans before her. She provides us a sense of freedom to go where we want when we want… responsibly and economically… and that with a degree of style only she & her kind possesses. 

So, what's your story? Have you recorded it? How would it look? How would it read? "Spread your love like a fever…"

Vivere.Amare.Guidare.

Ciao!

@

CC5C: Endless Fun

Benvenuti amici!

With so many positive things happening in the four months since the birth of the Cream City 500 Club, people may be wondering what is next. After all, we are a Wisconsin-based club and our state suffers from an extreme case of the horrible winter weather syndrome. 

Vintage 500 wrapped in her winter outfit...

Well, the fact the proposition is actually working as we hoped is most certainly encouraging. The fondest wish we had is people would begin to form bonds beyond the construct of the meets and it is happening. We, ourselves, have enjoyed a wonderful one-on-one dinner with one amazing couple. It was so nice, I am confident we will do it again ~ as well as look to do the same with other members of the famiglia. 

Via Downer on 2625 N Downer... Chilled... Great...

When the missus & I decided not to plan formal November-February get-togethers we thought it safe to assume people would simply run out of time, steam and fuel funds. The last thing one wants to do with this sort of endeavor is overstay one's welcome. What we desire to happen, now, is members suggest impromptu group fun. 

As is the case with the first 3 meets, there will be times these unofficial proposals will not work for everyone. That is okay. The idea is to keep forging relationships which further cement the foundation of this fledging group. Two members, Paul Reszka and Mark Beckmann stepped forward with phenomenal future ideas. We plan to propose both ~ one as an official annual gathering and the other as an impromptu gathering.

We jumped into the idea of proposing impromptu meetings with the invite for interested members to hit a local theater playing the film called RUSH one of upcoming weekend. Given the important role the FIAT famiglia plays in Formula One, it seemed a no-brainer. It is an opportunity to enjoy a new experience with the group while learning another side of FIAT-related history in an entertaining way.

In fact, we think it would be an interesting proposal for any/all FIAT aficionado groups. Family night at the movies ~ What a concept! If you have a owners of... 

... 124 Spiders...

... X 1/9s...

... 500 Sports...

... 500Ts...

... 500 Cattivas...

... and/or Abarths...

... in your group, why would you not attempt to organize such a thing? For those able to put their rides away for the winter, this may be their last chance of the year to show off their coach/es. For those carts already tucked in for a cold winter, this may be the one thing to keep the heart of the owner warm through a long off season.

The sporty/sports car off season also happens to be the season for sharing & giving. Share time with/give your 'famiglia' members a reason to smile. Stay connected...

Vivere.Amare.Guidare.

Ciao!

@