Un Lavoro d'Amore: Pt Uno

Benvenuti amici!

I think everyone is aware our focus for the NA (North American), as well as the global, FIAT community is promoting life behind the wheel of these beautiful Italian machines by focusing on the people driving them. Our aim, of course, is to be an online destination for Italian car aficionados. But we also aim to draw fans of life… and the adventures therein.

One major component of our individual & collective experience on this big, wonderful planet is expression. Knowing this, we often give audience to the customization work of our fellow FIATisti.

The next few blog entries will shine a light on one such act of expression. I 'discovered' this project on one of the FIAT forums I frequent. I was so taken with the passion I saw in the inspirational preparation photos shared, alone, I knew I had to propose a collaboration (of sorts). The greater FIAT community deserves to take part in this brilliant life series. 

What is so special about this particular story? Read on...

"My name is Bryan Thompson. I've been a professional car designer for more than 15 years, styling for Nissan, Peugeot Citroën, Volvo-Mack Trucks, Airstream, etc.  

Bryan and what is definitely not a 'Cento

While I've most often designed large vehicles, like; trucks and vans and camping trailers, my main passion is for small cars. I love them like most people love their pets.

Bryan, his ABARTH of choice & a furry friend

I got my start in the automotive industry at Fiat. Long story made kinda short, I was a young frustrated design student at Arizona State University, studying product design and wanting very badly to learn how to become a car designer. In a pre-internet world, this information was not readily available. 

Sometimes it takes a bit of terrible advice to focus desire and ignite a fire. A Guidance Counselor told me, "Car Design is a pipe dream, that needs to be let go." Undeterred, I dropped out of school, and moved to France.  I lived in the South near Montpellier in a dirty old camping trailer, totally broke, starving and struggling to learn the language, but in total design bliss. I was surrounded by quirky European cars, beautiful French people and amazing cheap wine. So what if I couldn't bathe regularly, no one else seemed to either!

Arc de Triomphe: Place de la Comèdie

I spent my time researching car design studios and making naïve attempts at contacting the Design Directors at each and every company in Europe.  Of course, no one replied.  So, after months of this, I snuck onto a train and went to Turin, Italy, knocked on the door (literally) at Centro Stile Fiat, and proceeded to wait in the lobby until I could be seen.  

Believe it or not, this actually worked.  

Peter Davis, the Design Director at the time, happened to be present, available, and, probably, a little amused at my scruffy (and pungent?) appearance.  He spent an entire afternoon with me; looking at my sketches, listening to my questions, and saying everything I had come so far to learn. 

Tipo B Spider176 Concept - Peter Davis; far right

He told me I had talent, but that I was green.  [Looking back, I wonder if he meant my complexion. Who knows?] He also told me how to make a portfolio, from what schools the industry hired, and a host of other insider details. The notes I took that day became my bible, and I did everything he suggested.

Fast forward 20 years or so. After a decade designing for Nissan and, later, growing my own design studio, I wanted to explore creating a car. That comes back full circle to Fiat… A car for myself.

CONCEPT:

I love the current Fiat 500, and the Abarth brand. But I want to do something that, in my opinion, is true to the original Abarth 500s in the way that I've admired them for so many years.  

Some of the "Small but Wicked"…

… bits of automotive bliss…

… which informed & inspired Bryan

The Abarths I remember always retained the charm of the 500 on which they were based, letting their buffed up performance speak for itself, rather than trying [quite so] hard to be "dark."

It's that contrast of Charm and Wicked Performance that draws me to this happy little mischievous car. So, for my little car, I want to capture that duality in a modern way. 

Bryan's personal-build A500 vision/concept

This car should look delightful and whimsical, and then ROAR to life when you turn the key, and growl through every corner.  It should make you smile when you look at it, and laugh out loud with a big, toothy grin when you drive it.  In essence, it should be the fastest, fun-to-drive, little picnic-finder out there."

CC5C readers dig these vintage adverts

So, has Bryan captured your attention? Are you curious about the progress of this project? Well, you are in luck. Bryan's work is moving along well and he  agreed to participate in chronicling it for the CC5C crowd. We are very pleased to help Bryan share his FIAT life experience. To be continued...

Vivere.Amare.Guidare.

Ciao!

@