A Christmas Story

Benvenuti amici!

With this entry, we bid a 'sort of' sad farewell to one 'cento and happily introduce/welcome another. Early on, I knew I would eventually slide behind the wheel of another 500. No matter what I tried, I always thought about Abarth Cinquecentos  & special edition fititos. In fact, I made (from La Fee Verte) my very own 'special edition' Pop. "There can be only one." With the brilliant help of Kyle, at our LS, our Pretty Green Pop grew shinier by way of cromo bonnet spear, mirror caps, and bumperettes. Still, I knew she would likely be piloted by another driver one day.

La Fee Verte

Recently, with LFV very nearly paid off, my mind began to wander. I considered, in a more serious way, which would be my next 500. I felt tempted with the announcement of the soon-to-be-released 1957 SE (a hardcore retro version of the already retro 500 Lounge). I continued to vacillate between various rarer 500s… including the Cattiva. 

Two weeks ago, I asked the missus to join me at the studio. I received word FIAT is offering some unbelievable year end incentives on various versions of the little mouse and thought we could dip our toes in the pool of possibilities. There was no commitment or outright intent ~ We were simply feeling things out. That is innocent enough.

The numbers made sense on one very special 'cento and I began, in earnest, to position us for a sooner-than-later purchase. This is where we will allow the following photos to guide you through our most recent life adventure…

Last ride as the designated driver of La Fee Verte

Soon-to-be repeat customer…

Reliving my first time in our LS...

See where this is going?

The shake that binds; Brandon & Amado...

Luke did a fine job of explaining the details...

Meet La Sombrita a/k/a Sombrita...

Passing the torch, well, The CC5C grille badge...

...

...

The signing of the canvas...

Passing keys and other gifts...

La Sombrita in her first snow (dusting)...

So, here's to another wonderful FIAT experience (for us in our new fičko as well as the lucky soul responsible for adopting our original). Thank you FIAT & Bergstrom FIAT USA of MKE, for offering products and standards which keep aficionados coming back for more. Thank you Bergstrom FIAT USA of MKE staff for adding OUTSTANDING SALES, SERVICE & CLUB SPONSORSHIP to the experience. We are looking forward to spending time in our Sombrita and sharing new FIAT life memories with you soon. Why we chose 'La Sombrita'? a/k/a 'Sombrita'. We can discuss that over a cruise and the breaking of bread. Until then...

"May your days, may your days, may your days be merry & bright and may all your Christmases by white…"

Vivere.Amare.Guidare.

Ciao!

@

Personalizza la Tua FIAT: 2

Benvenuti amici!

We are back with another customization spotlight. We discovered this at F5O (FIAT 500 Owners) recently and instantly knew we wanted to share it with the CC5C community. This project was presented by Bryan at NGen FIAT, located in the Woodlands Texas. This outfit grabbed my attention, because it is committed to much more than helping people personalize their FIAT 500s. NGen FIAT also organizes/hosts meets & events. They are a family owned & run business which is devoted to being an active part in bridging the gaps between owners. That is an important mission and we are very much pleased to shine a light on them.

This, unlike our equally brilliant build from Joseph Reyes at 500 Madness, is not a performance-focused presentation. This is the FIAT 500 take on Extreme [Styling] Makeover. Seeing this entry through, to the end, will be a very rewarding experience. With the FIAT Custom Shop apparently a long way out, places like Road Race, NGen FIAT, Euro Compulsion and H.P.S.I. Motorsports are, for most of us, the source for FIAT goodies and intense work. Of course, as was the case with my modding, there is also the partnering with our respective local studios for these projects.

Bergstrom FIAT Milwaukee ~ CC5C Studio Home

The custom project we are sharing today began with a verde chiaro 500 Lounge. Now, one could reasonably argue there is absolutely nothing one could possibly add to a Lounge. They are, after all, the luxury Cinquino. But FIAT owners are a creative bunch. They see possibilities in every Fitito. My friends, we proudly present… to you… 'All Dolled Up'.

The set-up…

Let's kick the tires and walk around…

Get a good look at everything…

Looks pretty spectacular to me…

Brace yourselves for the next two shots…

Ouch!

I told you so...

So, with the Lounge disassembled for painting, and other modifications, the transformation can begin. We will skip that, as you can find it on the NGen FIAT website, and jump to the big reveal. Get ready!

Drum roll, please…

Ta-Da!!!

Let's take a closer look…

A Posh interior for a posh tiny buggy…

This build is beginning to look familiar...

That's it! The EU Barbie Special Edition…

Of course, this spin on that is more extreme…

This is an exercise in loving devotion...

… To a given idea...

… And seeing the idea...

… through to existence.

Now, that's amore!

Are you happy you committed the time to scrolling through this build? Are you shocked by the transformation ~ from start to finish? There is a groundswell of excitement, in North America, building around the FIAT brand. I have a strong feeling the things we are seeing from owners like Joseph & Bryan are the merely tip of the iceberg. We, at CC5C, welcome the future today.

Do you have a build you would like to share? Do you have a story of another sort to share? Please, share it with the community here. We look forward to every new contact made. Until our next meeting…

Vivere.Amare.Guidare.

Ciao!

@

Personalizza la Tua FIAT: 1

Benvenuti amici!

When FIAT re-introduced the Cinquecento (500) to the world, in 2007, they made it clear the intent is for their city car to become the iPod of the automotive industry. The Italian automaker launched the car with a rich interior/exterior palette and continues to add trim levels as well as special editions to help match consumers to their equivalent 'cento. In addition to this, the Agnelli family saw fit to create a 500 spin-off line called the 500L...

FIAT 500/500L 'Italian Invasion'

Back to special edition 500s. In late 2012, FIAT NA (North America) announced the North America-only 500 Sport Turbo ~ also called the 500T. The 500T was lauded, by then head of FIAT NA Tim Kuniskis, as the ultimate 500 customization machine. The 'T' has more power than the standard 500 and more freedom to take what you dig about the Scorpion and add whatever your heart desires. In effect, creating your own Italian dream

Base 500T

FIAT NA, under Kuniskis, simultaneously announced a small authorized aftermarket vendor network as well as the as-yet-to-be-completely-realized FIAT Custom Shop. Of course, this is not completely good news. The North American arm of the company has a great concept (and customization starting point), but has not brought the plan to fruition. Thankfully, there is the occasional brilliant example of what the Shop could offer to the public.

The FIAT Custom Shop Hallmarks

Base 500T Cattiva

Base 500 Abarth Tenebra

Fortunately, for FIAT aficionados and the brand, we are a passionate bunch… and we do not sit around waiting for someone else to make things happen for us. While our favorite city car manufacturer focuses on the Chrysler merger, we have been busy finding ways to express our individuality by way of our Cinquinos. I, for instance, desired my own personal Pop Star SE/TwinAir look (unavailable in the US). I, with the help of our LS, added personal touches ~ all based on factory customization available at purchase of EU 500s.

The Pretty Green Pop Star

This brings us to the star of this entry. 500 Madness, also of Smart Madness fame, got in on the ground floor of North American FIAT customization. I am pleased to say I have been able to purchase EU-specific accessories from them. One particular member of the Madness famiglia is taking his FIAT dream from concept to reality using the 500T as his canvas.  

Feast your peepers on the Fitito that Joseph built. All photos are courtesy  of the man himself. We owe him a special thanks for sharing this project with us. Much respect to our artistic brother...

The initial intro to the 500-owning public...

"Drop it...

Like 'Cos it's hot…"

What?!

They're not details…

They are the product...

Oh, no he didn't...

Complete with CF (carbon fiber) mirror caps

Yes, my friends, that just happened. But aesthetic changes are not the limit to Joseph's modifications. There are goodies under the bonnet too. Head over to the 500 Madness website to learn how you can express yourself through your little machine. Of course, they are not the only game in town. They just happen to be the place I looked for my non-OEM Italian 500 swag. Check out our links section for more options.

This entry is dedicated to all the men & women working hard to keep the FIAT NA dream alive. Grazie mille...

Vivere.Amare.Guidare.

Ciao!

@

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!

@