Benvenuti amici!
I recently received my Mighty Mouse Militia grille badges, from Go Badges, and decided on a special midweek entry. We, now, have a small collection going. So, it seemed like a good time for a short tale of their design focus & why they came to be. Grille badges are nowhere close to being new to car culture. In May of 2014, I wrote an entry on the history of this earliest of customizations. All my designs start on a page, with pencil and/or pen, and later digitized by my very talented… and trusted… friend, Alberto Rios.
CC5C Origins Badge
Simple | Clean | Elegant: The CC5C 'Origins' badge was, of course, initially introduced right here.
Elements: 1) The Italian colors. 2) The modified Laureto/Laurel wreath has been a symbol of triumph since Greek & Roman times. It is often found in Italian grille badge designs. 3) The quadruple 'C'… the first and third are adjoined to create a '5'. 4) The repeated round shapes, in the design, are meant to echo the Cinquecento styling approach.
CC5C Revival Badge
The CC5C 'Revival' badge was named by Edwin Barron. It was introduced to celebrate one year of the club & blog.
Elements: 1) Silver outline. 2) Ferrari giallo/yellow background. More Italian automotive heritage in the club logo? Why not?!
FIAT 500 Owners Badge
The FIAT 500 Owners badge was inspired by the name of a forum I've frequented for some time. The name is simple and regionally non-specific. It's a nod to all Cinquecentisti and available in three slight variations that come down to outline (nero/black, bianco/white and grigio/grey).
Elements: 1) The outer rings & center circle are in Italian colors. 2) The inner symbol is an amalgamation of an F, a 5 and an O. Making a singular symbol from the letters and number is another nod to grille badge design history. It's a secret society kind of thing... one only members would immediately recognize.
Mighty Mouse Militia GANNINI Badge
The Mighty Mouse Militia badges were first introduced here. For this design, I sought the critical minds & support of well respected FIATisti. There are, and will only ever be, two variations. The first is the GIANNINI.
Elements: 1) The bolt is meant to pay homage to the late, great Atillio & Domenico Giannini. The brothers were one half of one of the most memorable rivalries within the FIAT organization. 2) The azzurro/blue used is the same as the traditional Giannini badge. It is meant to represent non-ABARTH FIATs… but especially the 500 Sport, 500TV, 590GT and 500 Sport Turbo.
Mighty Mouse Militia ABARTH Badge
The second Mighty Mouse Militia badge is meant to pay homage to the other party involved in the rivalry mentioned above... ABARTH.
Elements: 1) The Scorpio Rising pays homage to the updated ABARTH & Co. logo. The claws were modified (slightly pivoted downward) to help create the illusion of the scorpion chasing/fighting the bolt. 2) The giallo/yellow used is the same as the modern ABARTH badge.
Mighty Mouse Militia RECORD Badge
The third, and final, Mighty Mouse Militia badge is meant to pay homage to the various tracked record breaking FIAT/FIAT-based models appearing in 'Record Grey' paint.
Elements: 1) The Scorpio Rising pays homage to the updated ABARTH & Co. logo. The claws were modified (slightly pivoted downward) to help create the illusion of the scorpion chasing/fighting the bolt. 2) The grigio/grey used is similar to the color used on vintage & modern FIATs and ABARTHs.
I believe vintage & contemporary FIATs are worth celebrating. Whichever badge or badges you choose to display on your FIAT, know they were designed with the past of Italian motoring in the rear view mirror while driving furiously into its future. Who would want it any other way?
FIAT Club Badges can be found here
Vivere.Amare.Guidare.
Ciao!
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