Un'opera D'arte

Benvenuti amici!

From time-to-time, I receive an email link to a vintage FIAT for sale or a story someone believes will be of interest to me. Often these emails come from Brandon Drew. Knowing my obsession with the brand and its coaches, he sends them my way with a short 'catch-up' message. I received one of them last week. The link is to a Jalopnik special interest piece about the 500X and includes several shots of a FIAT 500 forming buck. FIAT has the, now, work of industrial art with them on their auto show tour.

The forming buck is literally a large block of wood, sculpted in the shape of the 1957 iteration of the 500. Before computers & robots, these forming bucks were used… with mallets & sheets of metal… to form the body of the world famous Cinquino. This particular buck was made infamous when used by renowned artist, Ron Arad, in an art exhibition of sculptures & paintings called IN REVERSE. But this exhibition is not the first brush don Arad's had with the FIAT 500… in his life or his art.

A few years ago, FIAT executives approached him. He was asked whether he would be interested in building a sculptural monument to the Cinquecento. He built a large crate and stuffed it with packing material… poking one FIAT out either end of the oversized box. The plates on each read 'AMOR' and 'ROMA', apparently dedicated to the moment in his youth he decided to purchase his own.

FIAT 5000000 Sculpture by Ron Arad

Ron Arad w/Friends: Cinquino & Yasmin Le Bon 

I'm unaware whether the automaker knew it, prior to approaching him, but don Arad has a lifelong history with the 500. He reports he was in a near fatal accident in his father's 1936 500 'Topolino' and the runabout has continued to pop up at several other points in his life since. The artist also wrote an essay called 500 Words On The 500 for FIAT 500: The autobiography. In the essay, don Arad writes, "the 500 proved that refusing to make compromises pays off." Ron Arad, himself, is a study in no compromise… as evidenced in the IN REVERSE exhibition.

The exhibition is defined, by don Arad, as an anti-retrospective. This is because it is attached to a reluctant retrospective. As an artist, myself, I understand his aversion to looking back on past works. It is typically more rewarding to dream about what will be than it is to wallow in what has been done. But, and I'm 100% certain don Arad knows this very well, looking back from time-to-time helps us appreciate 'the now'. And, so, we have the retrospective-anti-retrospective of the FIAT life experience.

Art Imitates Life Imitates Art

1957 FIAT 500 Forming Buck

Beautiful… Fully Formed or Crushed

Heavy Metal: Sculpted from the Forming Buck

Face to Face: Art Begets Art

And Chainmail Makes Three

The FIAT 500 is an enduring symbol of liberation. Introduced in 1957, the Cinquecento was proposed as a smaller and more economical alternative… as well as eventual replacement… to the FIAT 600. The Seicento, itself, was a larger replacement to the original 1936 "People's Car". Ron Arad has speculated the reason the 500 survived & thrived where the 600 did not is because the Cinquino is a no compromise runabout. Its diminutive size made it that much more usable in an urban environment.

As Italian families moved from the countryside to nearby industrial cities, they found the tiny 500 to be an affordable (and more comfortable) alternative to a Bianchi bicycle or even a Vespa scooter. This is precisely what FIAT intended when they insisted their greatest engineer-designer produce a coach to mobilize every Italian from every walk of life.

But the story does not end with a technical drawing and small bottom line. Due, in large part, to the brilliant mind of don Dante Giacosa, the Nuova FIAT 500 (like the 600 and 'Topo' before it) looked/looks good. Every line and curve seems to have a purpose for being. With so much design and life meaning, it is very easy to understand why this particular car drove don Arad to create this multiple series of works.

From Wood to Metal to Canvas

From Every Angle: Perfect

The FIAT-Arad relationship continues to blossom and a FIAT commission follow-up to the FIAT 5000000, consisting of don Arad painting a '57 iteration of the 500 on the sides of a new 500, has been given the green light for full street production. As a testament to art imitating life imitating art, FIAT will produce three different Ron Arad Special Editions. Arad has chosen digital camouflage, comic books and the aforementioned second commission for the series.

So it is, now more than ever before, the runabout of runabouts lives up to what I quite often characterize as MODern Art on Wheels.

Growth Spurt as Cities Grow

Vivere.Amare.Guidare.

Ciao!

@

Una Famiglia Automobilistica

Benvenuti Amici!

The 500. The 500L. The 500X. In the drama rich past of what may be the most storied brand in automobile history, the letter signature (following the number) of these models would have signified a generation or trim level. We covered a bit of the original 500 naming system in a past entry. [FIAT Global Brand Chief] Olivier Francois recently shed a little more light on possibilities of the modern naming system. In an interview with Just-Autos, he hinted it could be future FIAT 'families' of vehicles would be introduced to different markets. He went on to explain the template for it will likely be the 500 Family of vehicles. The Nuova Cinquecento is the best modern example of what put FIAT on the map… runabouts. It is relatively small, very stylish, comparatively affordable and obviously Italian. To suit varied tastes and lifestyles, it is available in Pop, Sport, Lounge, Turbo and cabrio trims. Of course, there is the extreme ABARTH model ~ for those interested in more drama for their 500. 'Perfect in its execution… a fine flagship model for any brand.

500: The Ultimate MODern Runabout

The 500L, inspired by the 500 Giardiniera and the 600 Multipla, takes its styling cues from the modern iteration of the Cinquino. Without aping the Cinquecento or presenting it in bloated form, it completely re-imagines the cultural icon as a 4-dr/5-dr 'city lounge'/estate coach. It is larger in size and available in Pop, Easy, Lounge and Trekking trim. This model carefully treads the line of passionate city car and ultimate utilitarian urban dweller.

500L: The Ultimate City Lounge

The latest and, according to Roberto Giolito, final spin-off of the modern 500 is the 500X. Sharing a platform with the Jeep Renegade, the 'X' is the most extreme departure from the 2007 original model. It is meant to represent what happens when the city car goes off road. This 4-dr/5-dr member of the 500 Family will be available in Pop, Easy, Lounge, Trekking and Trekking Plus trims. This model retains styling cues from the Cinquino and suggests FIAT could very well become more involved in Motorsport (a dream for many FIATisti). Rumor has it, taken from an interview with Roberto Giolito, there could also be an ABARTH model based on the 500X. Oh my rally goodness!

500X: Born from City & Bred for Country

If we are to take don Francois' word as gospel, we could very well see Punto and Panda Families. Already there exists a wink at this notion, in the Avventura (Punto) and Panda Cross (Panda). FIAT has also announced the Practical versus Passionate ranges  in their five year plan. Nothing seems more practical than offering utilitarian and passionately designed cars for a demanding international market. This approach also provides a very clear picture of how FIAT will tackle creating a distinctive and instantly recognizable global 'face' for the brand.

Avventura: The City is Officially in Trouble

Panda Cross: Perfect for Unfriendly Cities

With the looming rumor, and suspected test mule spotting, of what will likely be the upcoming return of the FIAT Spider, it is a great time for fans of the brand and models. If FIAT does as good a job restructuring the parent brand as it has with Maserati, Alfa Romeo, Jeep, Chrysler and Dodge, we are in for a wild ride. I, for one, couldn't be more excited about the possibilities.

Vivere.Amare.Guidare.

Ciao!

@

La 500T e Giannini

Benvenuti amici!

As is evidenced by this blog, our Facebook page and my activity with our local club (as well as other clubs), I am FIAT crazed. I find the madness from which I'm afflicted digs in deeper as I read & write more about the brand and its history. One bit of heritage I've always found interesting, and feel is missing from the modern iteration of the Italian automaker, is the ABARTH-Giannini rivalry. For those unfamiliar with the Giannini legacy, let's take a moment to delve into another bit of Italian automotive history.

The Original City Car Takes The Track

Giannini, although most often associated with FIAT as a tuning company, began as part of the service network for ITALA… an automaker founded by Matteo Ceirano. Some FIATisti may recognize this surname as the name of a company sold to don Giovanni Agnelli. It is one & the same and this business deal is part of what marked the recognized birth of the most celebrated industrial dynasty in Italy. Some very early FIATs, based on Ceirano designs, made Giannini Automobili S.p.A. a perfect fit for FIAT post-purchase work and Motorsport. But it was not until the '50s that don Attilio and don Domenico would become part of the the official sales & service network. It is during this period the brothers created what many might deem as their twin masterworks: The 500TV Giannini & the Giannini 590 GT.

The Other Small But Wicked: 500TV Giannini

The Devil's in the Details: Giannini 590GT

The 500TV Giannini hit Italian streets and tracks the same year as don Karl 'Carlo' Abarth's vicious 595 ABARTH. The 595, of course, is one of many extreme versions of the original 1958 500-based ABARTH. The Giannini brothers, later, retaliated with the 590GT and a street-to-track sibling rivalry was born.

The 595 ABARTH is a Tiny Terror

Like two sisters vying for the affection & attention of their doting father, the Rome-based legend went head-to-head with the Austro-Italian legend until the untimely departure of don Domenico. Although, Giannini-powered performance versions of FIATs would continue… even after don Attilio sold the company… the company would not fair well during the '80s. No longer able to keep up with the costs associated with the racing circuit, the tuning company countered financial struggles by re-imagining itself as a FIAT accessories company. This brings our story full circle.

Missed Opportunity #1: FIAT 500T

In early 2013, in an effort to offer prospective buyers a happy medium between the standard FIAT 500 Sport and the 500 ABARTH, the North American branch of the company introduced the 500T. On paper, the 500T is pretty much the equivalent of the European-spec base 500 ABARTH. Without ABARTH-specific badging, along with the 500 Sport interior, this makes it the perfect starting point for tuners with a knack for street/track flair.

Missed Opportunity #2: 500T Cattiva

Before the year was out, FIAT USA scrapped a formerly announced 'FIAT Custom Shop' and introduced a limited edition version of the 500T (and 500 Sport)… the Cattiva. By and large, the Cattiva is an upscale version of the standard 500T (and 500 Sport). It is in this respect the stories of the post-'80s Giannini company and the 500 'Turbo' converge… and this fan's dreams take over.

It is an outright shame the tuning company became little more than a fond memory of days gone by, but it is a greater shame FIAT has failed to capitalize on the similarities between the fabled 500TV & 590GT and the 500T. The past Giannini models and the current 500T serve as an alternative to the Cult of the Scorpion. With no true rival in the segment, bringing back Giannini in this capacity would/could cause a real stir. And who doesn't like a bit of drama in their Italian coaches? It appears I'm not the only supporter looking at our favorite automaker & the modern iteration of the Cinquino from this vantage point, as at least one owner (in France) has taken to the task of creating a personal homage to don Attilio & don Domenico.

It's your turn ~ don Elkann, don Marchionne, don Giolito & don Olivier. C'mon… Forza Giannini!

Giannini-fied EU-spec 500 Sport

Vivere.Amare.Guidare.

Ciao!

@

Mopar Marelli?

Benvenuti amici!

Modifications & customizations are big in the world of FIAT Chrysler Automobiles. For people like me, keen to keep the personalization of their daily driver as close to stock as possible, the ability to go straight to the automaker factors big. Fortunately, there are USAmerican and Italian solutions in the family. These go-tos are synonymous with the brands they service and have become mainstays in car culture.

Dodge, the performance focused automobile division, wholly owned by FIAT S.p.A. when the Italian company acquired Chrysler Group LLC, began life as a parts/assemblies supplier to industrial giants like Ford Automobiles. The spirit of the Dodge Brothers Company lives on through another FCA Division… MoPar or Mopar (Motor Parts). As the name of the company suggests, MoPar has a distinct focus on mechanicals. MoPar was established in 1937, some years after Chrysler bought Dodge Brothers Automobiles.

Evolution: MoPar or No Car

While Dodge evolved into a mid-level sedan & truck range, MoPar continues what built the legend of Horace & John Dodge. But, unlike the company it replaced, MoPar only supplies customer care and performance parts to owners of Chrysler-related automobile brands... especially Dodge. In fact, the two have become so integrated, 'Dodge guys' proudly exclaim "MoPar or No Car".

Magneti Marelli is an electronics, computers and performance systems developer, founded in 1919 by FIAT S.p.A. and Ercole Marelli. Much like the FIAT-Bianchi-Pirelli partnership, Autobianchi, Magneti Marelli was founded with the primary purpose of ensuring Italian motorized innovation is consistent… and constantly rolling through automotive & racing language barriers.

Performance for the People Since 1919

The Magneti Marelli logo can be seen in nearly every Motorsport on the planet. Be it Formula One, World Rally and/or Moto Grand Prix, fans of speed & power… especially in an Italian motorized vehicle... have been celebrating the brand for nearly a century. 

[FIAT] Taking the merger route, after the acquisition of Chrysler, has sparked some question as to whether MoPar and Magneti Marelli will be merged and abandon the separate house model they enjoy today. To some degree, I can understand the worry. After all, FIAT recently retired the Chrysler Pentastar logo (linked to MoPar since the '70s). But good business-sense says fear not. It is cost effective for the automaker to keep both going strong… each serving fans on either side of the Atlantic. If rumors prove true, and FIAT does move all 500 production to Europe, there will be even more reason for dedicated aftermarket resources.

Need more convincing?

Despite Chrysler & FIAT sharing DNA with Alfa Romeo, the directions taken with said DNA could not be more different. 

FCA revives the Dart name

The new Chrysler 200 finally lives up the badge

Sergio Marchionne has made the wise decision of tasking Dodge with a performance focus in mid-sized sedans and muscle cars, while the folks at Chrysler are responsible for creating classy mid range sedans with performance capabilities. The Chrysler camp has also spliced Alfa DNA strands into that of the Jeep brand. The resulting product stays true to the 'all-American' vibe the fans expect… while allowing the Italian influence to unleash the creativity of homegrown engineers & designers.

In contrast, the modern day FIAT side of the house infuses their signature small and compact runabouts with fuel efficiency & performance grown from the same DNA. In the North American market, the parent brand has introduced four models… none of which could be mistaken for anything in the Dodge-Chrysler product line.

The Icon Returns: In Pop, Sport, Lounge & Turbo

Get Stung: ABARTH terrorizes the runabout world

The City Lounge: FIAT expands the 500 famiglia

500X: The City Lounge drives beyond city limits

Each model is what one would expect from the European legend. FIAT specializes in putting together a stylish, simple package… keeping things interesting with a dash of technological and/or performance bonuses. Still to come is the long-awaited FIAT side of their work with Mazda. The smart money is on that entry further distinguishing the brand from its American cousins.

FCA has been careful to introduce a large range of models, from the same gene pool, without succumbing to an inbred stable of rebadged selections. At the end of the business day, these models and their respective badges deserve dedicated aftermarket OEM parts & service… MoPar & Magenti Marelli hold their own and then some. On the rare occasion they do play together, well, let's just say they cause a stir.

Evil Alliance: Mopar Marelli 500 ABARTH Venom

Vivere.Amare.Guidare.

Ciao!

@