Mighty Mouse Militia est. 2015

Benvenuti amici!

Cream City Cinquecento Club a/k/a CC5C or CCCC was created to appease my desire to promote the FIAT brand (culture, lifestyle, design) philosophy. There is one critical cornerstone of FIAT heritage I initially left out of the club… that is performance. The club was too new, the missus & I were the only members and I don't take part in regular track days or AutoX. It's not my area of expertise. But I do enjoy recreational karting, I support Scuderia Ferrari and I did have lots of fun at the 2014 ABARTH Track Experience. While taking part in the FIAT-ABARTH 'Drive for the Fans' program, I discovered a desire to, in some way, offer that slice of the FIAT life experience to our local club as well as global blog & Facebook supporters.

Sr Giacosa's 1958 FIAT 500 Sport

It's important to note, prior to going any further, Motorsport activity is nothing new to the Italian automaker. FIAT designed & built the first ever purpose-built race coach in 1902 ... the 24 HP Corsa. There have been many models to carry the torch throughout the evolution of the brand. Today, the 500 Sport (in appearance and some engineering aspects, since it originally appeared in 1958), 500T (a/k/a Giannini), ABARTH 500 & the upcoming 500X keep that driving-for-sport tradition. Behind the wheel of Sombrita, I finally feel as though this is the perfect time to propose a loonier side of the FIAT life experience… 

... Mighty Mouse Militia (MYT MAUS MILITIA or M3).

The Legend & His Army of Tiny Terrors

What's in a name?

The original 1936 standard 500 is called 'Topolino' or 'Mickey Mouse', so a feisty 500 would be a 'Mighty Mouse'. No? For me, the name makes a direct reference to 500s... despite the fact the 'Mouse' part of the name could be about any small FIAT (or other true city car, for that matter).

That leaves us with the 'Militia' bit. Well, let's leave that to Merriam-Webster.

1. a) a body of citizens enrolled for military service, and called out periodically for drill but serving full time only in emergencies.

FIAT 500TV Giannini & 126GPA 800 Giannini

Unlike CC5C, M3 contains no reference to any nation or city. Anyone from/in any part of the world born to any ethnicity can fit right in. However, the name does make reference to something linked directly to FIAT and the small cars the automaker produces... along with the crazed loyalty they inspire in their drivers. Even the term 'FIATista' evokes a sort of militant loyalty to the brand. 

So, we now have a purpose and name. To be clear… this is in no way replacing what CC5C is all about. It is enhancing what CC5C is all about. This is something our local club can easily share with various groups in other cities, states regions and countries… in a more inclusive way.

In my area, we're organizing a spirited Road America jaunt to serve... from last year on... as the Trofeo CC5C. You can read a bit about it here. The Trofeo event simply did not work as a regular CC5Cruise. That is likely because it doesn't fit into the typical laid-back CC5C gathering mold. These Mighty Mouse gatherings could/should/would be for the most part spirited and Spartan-like. Other examples of CC5C Mighty Mouse-type activity can be read here and here. We're already working with other individuals & groups to get things rolling outside the Milwaukee a/k/a Cream City Metro area.

Mighty Mouse Militia ABARTH

Mighty Mouse Militia GIANNINI

We consider FIAT Tech, Jolly Club & SoCAL ABARTH Club to be a few of the key supporters in the North American Mighty Mouse Militia success puzzle. We opened up a dialog with those aficionados, similarly obsessed with the heritage of this brand, about the M3 logo and purpose. Everyone added their two cents to the overall vibe of what M3 should be, ensuring we weren't diluting what they already offer the community. As we see it, the informal motoring group can & should be represented by several individuals and other clubs from all over the world. No borders. No boundaries. Just fun.

Finally, for those committed to the cause, we are currently offering three versions of the Militia grille badge on GoBadges. In addition, we offer more affordable 2"x2" vinyl stickers (available via the EuroCompulsion Gear page). The logo incorporates the CC5C wreath, paying homage to over one hundred years of auto racing and Italian Driving Social clubs. The Giannini lightning bolt & ABARTH scorpion represent FIAT Motorsport tradition as well as the in-house rivalry between the two carrozzerias. They are available in ABARTH giallo, GIANNINI azzurro and RECORD grigio. Fans of the either of the two tuning mavericks, Motorsport and/or our can match one or all to their runabout of choice. We are also working on designs for a line of Mighty Mouse Motoring inspired t-shirts.

'Not into any of that? 'Just looking for another something cool to stick to your ride? I think you'll find these get you there fast. Get'cher motor running & stayed tuned...

CC5C Revival Badge

Vivere.Amare.Guidare.

Ciao!

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