Militia-ous Maneuvers!

Felice Anno Nuovo amici!

The first entry of the year is typically the most difficult for me. In 2014, I covered my personal observations regarding the differences between the 500P and the A500. I covered forthcoming CC5C activites in the January 2015 entry. What should I write for 2016? Let's see...

In the blog entry introducing the Mighty Mouse Militia (MMM or M3), we established; (1) the original 1936 standard 500 is called "Topolino" or "Mickey Mouse", (2) a feisty 500 is a "Mighty Mouse", and (3) militia is defined as a body of citizens enrolled for military service, and called out periodically for drill but serving full time only in emergencies. In this entry, we will examine a very important function of the M3 for 2016 and beyond.

CC5C-Mighty Mouse Militia "RECORD" logo

By-and-large, the M3 idea is simply about fun. It's an extension of the CC5C Vivere | Amare | Guidare motto, albeit slanted in the direction of FIAT's racing history. The M3 logo pays respect to Karl 'Carlo' Abarth and Attilio & Domenico Giannini… the pioneers of tuning runabouts a/k/a city cars a/k/a economy cars. But there is more to life than the track. I'm sure that last line had do Enzo spinning fast & furiously.

The M3 logo also offers a borderless banner fans of this blog and it's sister FB page [everywhere] can rally under. The rallying, off track, is the "very important function" this blog entry will discuss.

I'm sure it would come as no surprise to you I frequent a few fan forums. Over the years I've paired down the sites/forums I visit daily to FIAT Tech and FIAT 500 USA. As the name suggests, FIAT Tech is the one of the very best FIAT-specific technical sites/forums on the 'net. FIAT 500 USA offers some technical help and is a fantastic source of FIAT news. I consider both to represent [online] community in the best sense of the word.

FIAT on the Dragon: Americanos Represent!

Are you new to the FIAT life experience? Are you a first time FIAT owner? Are you having trouble navigating the post-purchase experience? 'Interested in customizing the look and/or performance of your FIAT or ABARTH? FIAT Tech and FIAT 500 USA are two of your best North American resources.

One ongoing topic of discussion on many forums is "dealership closings". I cannot put a number to just how many threads dedicated to the subject I read every 2-3 months. Before we jump into that topic a bit of a retrospective perspective is necessary.

When FIAT returned to the North American market the automaker did so in grand fashion. Early bidders for a local license were required to commit to building a standalone "studio". The Italian automaker offered a few exterior/interior decorating variations from which dealers chose. In addition, the winning bidders committed to purchasing most of the materials used to build said studios from suppliers FIAT chose. That is a huge undertaking.

One of the first FIAT USA Studios to open doors

Adding to the daunting task of taking part in the reintroduction of FIAT in North America is the limited product line available at launch. Remember, the European automaker was working toward a complete takeover of the Chrysler Group LLC when they arrived on our shores. The EU range offering was due a major refresh, but FIAT S.p.A. was focused on the global future of the brand. Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep-Ram (CDJR) was in need of even more work. Not only was the Daimler-era product line showing it's age, the manufacturing facilities were in need of total retooling. So the entire success of the forward thinking business plan rested on the success of the iconic Cinquecento.

Nuova FIAT 500:The little mouse that could

As cool as many North Americans know the 500 is, building an entire business on three trims of the same B-spec 2-dr/3-dr runabout is a lot to ask -- even with the looming relaunch of the 500 ABARTH (a 2-dr/3-dr hot hatch version of the 500). Dealers were gambling big. Knowing this, FIAT sweetened the deal by announcing a major bonus to high performing studios… a license to sell Alfa Romeo. Wow! Dealers went to work. Some did a great job of playing brand ambassador to a truck and sedan loving public while others didn't fair so well. This is where we come back to the "dealer closing" subject.

One of the few drawbacks of the standalone studio format is the post-purchase service limitations such a business model naturally creates. In order to help lure dealers into the fold, FIAT USA guarantees those studios will have a protected hedge from stiff sales competition. This works great when 500s are the new kid on the block, but it means the only 'centos found on North American roads are those the select dealers sell. Couple that with another reality… Communities are left without a local service center if/when said dealers decide they no longer need/want to be brand ambassadors. Who will "Fit It" if/when something does go wrong? That's right, I went there.

Ad puns the "Fix It Again Tony" reputation of old

Any FIATista-ABARTHista worth his/her salt will inform you there are more FIAT studios than there are MINI showrooms. But many, if not all, MINI showrooms & service facilities are attached to BMW gallerias & service facilities. Getting one's MINI serviced becomes exceedingly easier as the ever-enlarging runabouts share more-and-more technology [platforms] with their higher end parent marque. According to what I have learned, after hours upon hours of phone calls into FIAT/Chrysler Cares, FIAT USA has not yet chosen to entertain this kind service solution for their city car pioneering marque.

This can and does become a hard sell for a would be and/or all-in new owner. Despite peddling what amounts to a large fleet of relatively inexpensive economy cars, FIAT S.p.A. is always at the cutting edge of engineering and styling advancements. Any truthful auto reviewer will tell you the innovators in their industry suffer the natural pitfalls associated with breaking new ground. Reasonable consumers also "get" that fact.

When FIAT decided to import the utilitarian 500L we knew there could/would be proper "flash" challenges. We knew there could/would be a learning curve… and acceptance hurdle… associated with the introduction of the forward-thinking Euro Twin Clutch transmission. Suffering the could be/would be issues is justified with the sticker price and fuel savings. But driving/towing 50-180 miles (80 to nearly 300 kilometers) for a "reflash" or other "working out the glitch" services is not likely something that is mentioned when selling a consumer on taking that pioneering leap with the automaker.

Gwen Stefani graces FCA "Mash-Up" Advert

FIAT S.p.A. and Chrysler Group LLC became FIAT Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) when the Italian industrial leader fully absorbed the USAmerican legend in October of 2014. This absorption has benefit CDJR fans in a major way. The various model ranges have been beautifully revamped and/or broadened… powered by FIAT-funded ABARTH-Alfa Romeo-Maserati technological advancements… drawing in new drivers as well as "Mopar Or No Car" loyalists. The same cannot be easily said for the hardcore followers of and newcomers to the parent brand fold.

Despite running shops filled with technicians, now, familiar with Italian motoring know-how… seemingly (to owners) in spite of working for a company that would be extinct without the business savvy and engineering skills from "The Land of the Boot"… a CDJR dealer won't touch a FIAT. In fact, according to FIAT/Chrysler Cares, said CDJR dealers cannot touch a FIAT. While protecting the sales of studio partners is understandable, isolating… possibly… alienating drivers is neither understandable nor acceptable. The "what if" can, will and does happen. Dealers can, will and have allowed their license/s to lapse. So what is a discerning automaker, auto group or auto enthusiast to do?

"The Family that Plays Together Stays Together"

The FCA theme for the 2016 Detroit International Auto Show is "Gears". The auto giant suggests the key to lasting success for all the brands under the FIAT-Chrysler umbrella is working together like gears in a powerful engine. I dig that! In fact, I couldn't agree more with my AWESOME automaker of choice. But an idea… a concept… runs the risk of rendering itself a somewhat worthless relic if said idea/concept is never realized. Am I right?

I hold my ideas/concepts to the same standards as I hold my favorite coach manufacturer. Your corner of North America may have ample sales & service outlets, but other pockets of the country inhabited by likewise passionate FIATisti-ABARTHisti are not as fortunate. As a member of the Mighty Mouse Militia, you owe it to yourself and your "dreamobile" loving brethren to send and email, make a phone call and/or place a visit to FCA Corporate and neighborhood dealers. Ask them when we can expect a more "drive friendly" service network. A voice, like an idea/concept, runs the risk of rendering itself a somewhat worthless relic if not exercised. You never know when and where you may need back up. I ask you once again… Am I right?

Mighty. Mouse. Militia. Approved. Maneuver.

Vivere.Amare.Guidare.

Ciao!

@

Sombrita: The Shadow Knows

Benvenuti amici!

FM Evoluzione & MBC Italia (ABARTH FM Evoluzione), Novitec Group, Romeo Ferraris, Pogea Racing GmbH, SR Auto Group, Road Race Motorsports, NGen Customs & Performance, Garage Italia Customs, Madness Autoworks, and a host of other customization outfits are setting up operations all over the world. These businesses are part of the next generation of carrozzerias. We have covered the subject a few times, but most notably in this entry. We have also featured specific customizations in pieces like these two entries. You may have seen the aesthetic customization of our former verde chiaro 500P. Now, is time for Sombrita to get her shine on.

The very first customization piece was done before we took delivery of our A500, Sombrita. The look of the hatch pull strap in FIAT 500s has always bothered my eye. The strap, itself, is a complete unnecessary detail. So, why is the piece a cheap looking, nondescript strip of nylon? It should wow us, no?

I replaced this piece for La Fee Verte and it had to be replaced for Sombrita.

Black-Italia Hatch Strap: Pull with style

We ordered a Black-Italia nero/black leather hatch pull strap with rosso/red stitching, to match the rest of the nero/black leather interior of the car, from Madness Autoworks. It's a functional, sleeper of a mod. I mean, who will ever notice it? We notice it… and that is what matters.

Luke Bibis & Amado admire Sombrita's grille

The second step of customization I knew our Sombrita craved is a CC5C grille badge. As is the case with the hatch pull strap, it is an aesthetic modification (mod). But this one isn't about something I feel is missing from modern FIATs or ABARTHs or any brand/marque per se. Grille badges are something I feel is missing from contemporary car culture, in the general sense.

Since Cream City Cinquecento Club debuted our logo & grille badge/s, we've noticed a lot of other local & national FIAT clubs embracing this important right of automotive passage. We like to think ours has something to do with inspiring the revival. 'Glad we took the advice of a forum member to heart.

'Cento… Ama... cento

Third customization? Well, this one is something I never thought I would do. But I am a big believer in self-promotion. So, I ordered a personalized license plate. It isn't what I would characterize as a 'vanity plate', though. The plate reads CC5C. I dig it, and it does something I can't quite explain to how I feel when I approach the car… or walk away from her.

Next up is one customization I thought about doing to our first FIAT, La Fee Verte. But I opted not to mess with any performance modification until now. I think the ABARTH 500 is a perfectly designed, engineered and assembled sports coupé. But, as is the case with most performance cars, there is always a tweak or two that can add true value to daily driving and/or a spirited romp.

For me, there is one major performance modification that also lends an undeniable aesthetic richness to the stance… the profile of the little machine. Of course, I'm referring to suspension.

I made sure to research and ask lots of questions, before deciding on whether or not I had the heart to go through with this mod. Fear of 'what if something goes wrong' and Milwaukee Wisconsin road conditions tap danced atop my cranium. Thankfully, Edwin (one of the community kings of mods) and Chris (of Euro Compulsion & Jolly Club fame) were there to answer any and all concerns I had. They also made themselves available to talk me… as well as any help I recruited… through the process.

Before...

and After.

I ordered two lowering kits from Euro Compulsion. I sold the first to my friend, Joe, when I lost the nerve to perform the mod. Later, I saw the results of his work and ordered one I fully intended to use. Joe and another friend, Bryan (an automotive technician by profession) offered to lend their know-how. To further sweeten the deal, Willie and his brother allowed us to do the work in their warehouse… a/k/a heaven for anyone with a love for the wrench and things that go vroom.

So, to what did we modify? I opted for Eibach Pro-Kit lowering springs. This is mild… an important consideration for anyone with second thoughts about performing this kind of mod in a daily driver rolling on less than idyllic roads. I also ordered Koni (Yellow) adjustable rear shocks/dampeners. The fact FIAT-ABARTH uses a Koni-based FSD suspension kit for the front and a slightly modified standard FIAT suspension for the rear of ABARTHs always bothered me. I wanted Koni quality suspension all around.

Lancia-FIAT-Alfa Romeo

The kit takes roughly one inch from the front and 1 1/2 inches from the rear from the car (after the springs settle a bit). We set the shocks/dampeners to medium stiffness… for compliance and comfort. You can see the initial wheel well gap difference in the photos above. How much of a difference this mild drop and upgraded shocks/dampeners makes in the feel & look of this car is amazing. Paired with the stock ABARTH 16" wheels, this setup is perfectly suited to handle the road conditions we find ourselves traversing. I am very happy with the results. We not only hug the pavement better, but the wheels look more connected to Sombrita.

That profile has a new attitude

So, with better connectivity, I could see other areas ripe for some aesthetic tweaks. What jumped out most is the center caps. I chose a very subdued setup for the ABARTH. But the red/rosso ring around the caps scream 'Look at me'. I reached out to a friend, Edwin, about where (in North America) I might acquire EU-spec center caps. Edwin seems to be a master at the art of locating such things. He honed in on a set at FIAT on the Dragon, from the EU-spec Punto ABARTH, he thought I may dig. He was 100% right. They were held, but never used, by Tom Schmidt. The caps have a black ring, as opposed to the red ring of the 500 ABARTH. Subtle and perfectly suited to mate with a nero puro car. Of course, the new caps pointed to, yet, another opportunity for customization… wheels. It seemed the more 'Look at me' elements we removed the more others stood out. The gun metal grey wheels don't look as rich on lo-key nero/black as they do on grigio/grey and rosso/red FIATs. Sombrita has no 'go faster' stripes to tie the wheels. They felt slightly disconnected. What to do... what to do?

Nero on Nero with a Splash of Rosso

Fortunately, I'd done some homework when we brought Sombrita home. Madness Autoworks offers a wheel swap program. For those 99.9% happy with their OEM ABARTH wheels, but desiring something different, they can powder coat said wheels. There is the option of paying for the set up front and sending your wheels to them once you've swapped out your stock set (to only pay for the work done). There is also the option, for those with more than one car, of putting your A500 on jacks and sending them your wheels for treatment (to only pay for the work done). Either way, it's a perfect setup for someone like me. I'm a Stock-non-Stock a/k/a "OEM+" kinda guy.

A Redline-Amacento Original + A595 Pomello

But I'm getting ahead of myself. Just before the new wheels, I designed a shift boot I feel lovingly ties Sombrita's rosso/red leather seats (and door panel inserts) to the console. It took a few tries to get it just right, but Redline Goods came through with flying colors. So, what are you seeing in the details of this custom boot? Well, there are two nero/black front panels. The contrasting stitching on those panels matches the stitching found on the shift knob and e-brake. There is one rosso/red rear panel. The stitching for the rosso/red panel and the nero/black panels is meant to continue the stitching style found on the rosso/red-nero/black ABARTH 500 seats. This, as is the case with the hatch pull strap, is a tiny design element. But those are often the variety that make the most difference in the 'feeling' of richness. 'Wow. Someone cared enough to think about what the driver (and passenger) thinks when looking at the console.'

Stealth Mode: "The Shadow Knows"

Finally, some shots to show off the last big customization. I went back & forth with this decision. I knew I wanted to put matte nero/black on her nero puro (straight/gloss black) skin. I had a couple ideas…

1) The treatment on the ABARTH Punto Scorpione. This would be a reverse 'ghost stripe', meaning matte vinyl on the bonnet & roof. The 'ghost stripe' would be the nero puro paint. It makes sense, right? Sombrita has the ABARTH Punto center caps.

2) The same treatment as Option One, minus the 'ghost stripes'.

3) Pay homage to past ABARTHs, like the 1972 124 Rally Car, with a full matte nero/black wrap on the bonnet & boot. The 124 was red with a nero puro/pure black'gloss bonnet and boot, but Sombrita is nero puro. But matte on gloss nero/black could create a similar effect. I don't want to copy this model. I want to allow it to inform me in the same way the 'double hump' bonnet upgrade for the ABARTH 695 Biposto is informed by the very same vintage Scorpione.

Customization 101: A strong point of reference

Ghost-striped bonnet of ABARTH Punto Scorpione

The CF bonnet on the Mopar-Marelli A500 Venom

Bonnet: Matte Black Vinyl Wrap

Mirror Caps: Matte Black Vinyl Wrap

Spoiler Underside & Boot: Matte Black Vinyl Wrap

This has a number of advantages, besides the nod to vintage scorpions. The entire bonnet and hatch paint is protected from wayward road debris. That is a BIG plus. The more I thought about it the more this option appealed to me. We went with it and this was undeniably the way to go. We scheduled a full detail with CMG Detailing. They set up the wrap for us, prepping Sombrita for the treatment, giving her a full detail.

"Lust on Wheels." No?

La Sombrita: Pa'que tu lo sepas!

As you can see, the results of these simple changes truly transform the 'personality' of the car. That intangible is the essence of an Italian car. It is why we cannot walk away from our FIATs without taking a second or third glance. And let's be honest with ourselves…

"If you can walk away from your car without looking back, you picked the wrong one." Thanks for allowing us to share our process with you. We'd be thrilled to share your customization process in a future blog entry.

Vivere.Amare.Guidare.

Ciao!

@

CC5C: Enter the Dragon

Benvenuti amici!

Cream City 500 Club is more than a group of Milwaukee/Madison/Oshkosh-based FIAT loving, beer drinking and cream-colored brick laying loonies. We are actively involved in supporting the greater (national, international) community of Italian city car drivers. We support one another in our FIAT life and attend national as well as local events. One national event on the radar of many CC5C Famiglia members is the Brett Melancon founded & led FIAT on the Dragon (FotD). For those unfamiliar with this massive event, you can read more about it here and keep up with FotD related news here.

The Mighty Mouse Militia is Growing

This year, a number of CC5Cers joined the swelling Mighty Mouse Militia roster on this curve carving trek. Duane Hand reports his very personal experience in this entry. The photos used for this entry are courtesy of Brett, David, Duane, Edwin and yours truly. 

Duane & Mary Ann Hand w/Luigi (sans stripes)

It's 4:00 AM, Thursday, April 9th, 2015, and I'm wide awake. The plan is to get an early start anyway but I'm too excited to sleep. At 4:30 I wake my wife, Mary Ann, so that we can make the final preparations for our trip.  With the usual morning rituals completed, we begin the process of packing the final items in the suitcase and loading everything into the back of the car... double checking along the way to be sure nothing is being left behind.

We're all loaded up by 5:15, so we slide into our 2012 giallo FIAT 500 Sport (Luigi) and set the navigation on my phone for our destination, 650 miles southeast of home. The phone tells us this trip will take us 10 hours to complete. Wasting no time, we set out on our journey -- we want to start out early, in order to avoid Chicago rush hour traffic. And also in order to arrive at our destination early enough to unwind before going to bed for the night.

Luigi (with stripes) Summer 2014

We sail through Chicago with no traffic delays and feel like we are truly on our way. With the Windy City in our rear view mirror, we decide to stop in Indiana to have breakfast. We did not take the time for that at home, partly because it was just too early but also, because we needed to get a jump on Chicago traffic. We settle for fast food because we're anxious to reach our destination at a decent hour.

The next leg of the journey is fairly uneventful, with just short stops for restroom breaks, fuel, or to change drivers. We get our rest but not so for Luigi. That's okay because I like to think he's doing what he was made for and is enjoying his first ever extended road trip.

We've been at this for a while, now, and the hunger had returned. We just entered Kentucky a short while ago and agree to stop for some lunch... fast food again. We've been driving through rain, quite hard at times, for most of the trip. One of the wiper blades has been making a loud, annoying clunking sound on each cycle, so it's off to an auto parts store, while we're off the highway, for a replacement. With the wipers blissfully silent again we resume our trip.

It's almost 4:00 PM, local time, and we've just crossed over into Tennessee. Finally, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. We're less than 2 hours from our destination.

We leave the freeway and make our way on the final leg of the trip. One more stop for fuel to make sure we're ready for tomorrow. Just before 6:00 PM we arrive at the Talley Ho Inn in Townsend, TN. We get checked in, go for dinner and settle in for the night. Big day tomorrow.

I spy Mirabella (James' A500). Can you?

Gigante meets up with (Doc)Ron's lil' beastie

Chris' bianco A500 with Jolly Club livery

850 Sport Coupe: Old is still New in Italian

Vintage X1/9: Among a host of Nuova 500s

FIATs rival nature's beauty in this gorgeous shot

Friday morning I'm up early again. You see, today, I'm participating in FIAT on the Dragon and the excitement is building. A few years ago, we were vacationing in the same part of Tennessee. We were going somewhere (Where? I don't remember.) and the GPS led us into North Carolina. It eventually deposited us on the Cherohala Skyway. We thought, "this sounds scenic", and it was! There were numerous spots to pull off with spectacular views of the mountains and valleys. The Skyway suddenly turned into the Tail of the Dragon.  None of us knew what this was, at the time. But the GPS said this was the way to go... So, what the heck, let's go! I was driving an SUV with four passengers. I was having the time of my life, but not so for my family. The many, sharp turns were making them feel ill. Being the driver, I didn't feel the same effects as they were. I was persuaded to take it a bit slower. It seemed like this road was never going to end -- turn, after turn, after turn.

Once we made it safely back to our cabin, I looked up the Tail of the Dragon and discovered it is an 11 mile stretch of mountain road, in North Carolina and Tennessee. In that 11 miles the pavement makes 318 turns, many of them very sharp.

After I became the proud owner of a FIAT 500 Sport, it dawned on me that it would probably be fun to drive 'the Dragon' in this spirited little car. I discovered that FIAT Club America's Brett Melancon organizes an event each year called FIAT on the Dragon and that's why I came here.

Greg's tuned 500L (Jolly Club livery)

Duane-Cam POV...

In hot pursuit!

Hard right at your 12!

Drivers and FIATs (over 100 of them) gather, in the rain, on a field at the Inn, for final instructions before we make our way to 'the Dragon'. I am alone in Luigi because Mary Ann has no desire to experience this again. We leave in small groups and head to the Foothills Parkway. This Parkway is good practice for what lies ahead. It has quite a few turns on it, though not as severe. This gets you used to what is coming up.

At one point, the leader of my group pulls off at one of the spots on the side of the road and we all follow. I'm thinking, "What a beautiful view of the Smokey Mountains from here. But I can't take my eyes off of the caravan of FIATs whizzing past us". It's very cool to be in such a caravan, but it's impressive to be on the side of the road watching and hearing them go by.

We're approaching 'the Dragon' and, again, we pull off. This time it is for a tree that has fallen over half of the road. I get the feeling that this is not an uncommon occurrence. Soon, we're back on the road again.

Finally, I see a road sign -- Sharp Turns Next 11 Miles. This is it, we're here!

No turning back now -- Fun is on the way!

Gigante leads an aggressive group...

Mark & Co. join the fun in his tuned 500T

At first, it's not too bad, but it quickly evolves into a very challenging roadway.  Some of the turns are quite mild and easy to handle. But it seems that most of the time, as  I come out of one turn, I am immediately thrown into another. I am trying to be conscious of the center line and not cross it because, on occasion, I encounter a vehicle coming the other way, right in the middle of a curve. I notice that there are very few spots on this road that have guardrails. Indeed, I take a couple of curves that are sharper than I expected and the adrenaline starts pumping and I'm thinking, "I'm going to be driving down the side of the mountain without a road."

Finally, I see Welcome to North Carolina and I know I'm almost done. A short while later, I arrive at Deals Gap -- which is the other end of the Tail of the Dragon. I pull into the parking lot and I just sit there allowing the tension to slowly release. Luigi doesn't seem to need to do this. Going into this, I wasn't sure how well this little car was going to perform going up such a challenging roadway. Now that I've done it, I'm very impressed. Despite the steep grade, at points, the wet pavement, and the challenging turns, this little 500 performed very well. This has been so much more fun than in a larger SUV.  Also, being without passengers, I was able to go faster which made it more fun and, at the same time, scarier!

Luigi with new window dressings!

After shopping (I needed a window decal to proclaim our achievement) and some, well needed decompression time, I turn around to do it again... downhill. The rest of the group is going on to do the Cherohala Skyway before turning around, but I came here to do 'the Dragon', and now that I have lived the dream, I just want to go back. The return trip is a totally different experience.  Going downhill is a lot different because I'm relying more on gravity and less on the accelerator. Also, I feel a bit more relaxed because I don't have the constant feeling that I may be holding back the group (behind me).

There are more drives and FIAT activities this weekend. But we choose not to participate in most of them, because this is our vacation time and we have plans of/drives to do on our own. This is beautiful country and we want to take the time to appreciate it.

This has been an amazing experience, which I encourage all FIATisti to participate in. Whether you want to do something different or you want to see how far you can push your car, and yourself, you can NOT be disappointed.

The end… Or is this just the beginning?

Luigi on the Dragon (with CC5C grille badge)

Special THANK YOU to Duane for taking the time to write this entry and GRAZIE MILLE to Mary Ann for being a good sport and life partner to our reporter. We look forward to seeing you soon...

Vivere.Amare.Guidare.
For Brett Melancon & the Mighty Mouse Militia

Ciao!

@

Lancia! LANcia! LANCIA!

Benvenuti amici!

In October 2014, our first ever dedicated Lancia entry went live. That entry was a sort of eulogy to the once indomitable Lancia… as well as a call to properly restore the brand. Challenge? For all intents and purposes, the legendary leader in automotive innovation has never been much more than a 'local hero'. By that I mean Lancia is… historically… an Italian brand for Italians. To reach its full potential, it must be more. To reach its full potential, Lancia must be a global call to slide behind the wheel of a chariot fit for the great Greek gods of old and give it all manner of Hades.

Hades & Cerebus



Question: How does FIAT S.p.A. accomplish this in a fickle marketplace? How does FIAT S.p.A. present Lancia in such a way as not to derail the ABARTH & Alfa brands?

Answer: It may not be as tricky as one would think. Historically & currently, the ABARTH brand caters to what could be described as the F4 level car enthusiast. I mean this literally as well as figuratively. The FIAT-ABARTH division powers FIA Formula 4 race cars. F4 is the entry level of endurance competition. The FIAT-ABARTH cars, including Punto & 500, are entry level Italian sports coupés.

Alfa Romeo has a strong historical link to endurance competition and, in the 2015 Formula 1 season, will be reunited with Ferrari (the marque that, in large part, owes its start to Alfa Romeo). F1, Ferrari & Alfa Romeo burn off excess fuel under the foot-to-pedal of a far more exclusive clientele base. That leaves a great deal of Italian motorsport heritage & back roads motoring without proper representation... in Italy and abroad.

Enter the once powerful, now limp on life support, Lancia Automobili S.p.A.. There are two occasions, in recent history, FIAT S.p.A. seemed poised to properly reboot the 'Lance'. Between 2003 and 2008 the automotive media was buzzing with rumors of production runs on a new concept introduced by Lancia. The concept was inspired by the 1965 iteration of the Fulvia Coupé. The original Fulvia was the final winner of the precursor to WRC (World Rally Championship). The IMC (International Championship for Manufacturers) was also an FIA rally-style Motorsport event. The modern iteration never rolled out.

Perfectly executed 2003 Lancia Fulvia Concept

Remained poised for production until 2008

In 2005, a design house called Fenomenon proposed the first Stratos-inspired concept since 1978. Once again, in 2010, we would be taken down the annals of Lancia's rally heritage. The 2010 concept was also inspired by the 1973 Ferrari V6-powered Stratos HF. The significance of its ancestor cannot be overstated. The legendary Stratos took the first three WRC titles. It is safe to say it was much more than just another beautiful Italian machine. Despite their respective perfect conceptual execution, neither the 2005 nor the 2010 concepts ever saw production. The obvious question is… "Why?"

2005 Fenomenon: Have Sexy | Will Travel

Perfectly powered by Ferrari F430

Stratos 2010: Forbidden Fruit

The fact these concepts exist at all makes it clear FIAT knows exactly what their rabid fans want more than anything else. The Fulvia concept is muscularly luxurious… a description that pretty much sums up what pre-70s Lancia was/is for all enthusiasts. Likewise, the Stratos concepts… especially the 2010 iteration… harken back to a time when the Terror from Torino specialized in innovation. The 2010 proposal harnessed the power of the Ferrari donor car on a shortened wheel base. I find myself salivating uncontrollably at the thought. With the ABARTH as well as the revitalized Alfa range, we're seeing small cars harnessing good power & torque. The 2010 Stratos takes this idea to its insane maximum.

So, with worthy successors to the throne, the question begs an answer to… "Why not?" That question may never be answered -- at least not in a way petrol heads can stomach. Sergio Marchionne, FIAT CEO, repeatedly insists Lancia is not a viable business venture outside the Italian marketplace. In the time since the CC5C blog & club were founded, I have read countless claims (posted in forums and the official Lancia Facebook page) FIAT is not interested in exploiting what Lancia has done better than any other marque in rally history. And it's difficult to argue with the accusation.

While under FIAT ownership, and despite Lancia retiring from rally in 1992, the brand still holds the records for the most overall and the most consecutive WRC titles. Still, look for any current news and you will be lucky to find anything other than the latest Elle magazine special edition color combination. But, given the aforementioned news about ABARTH & Alfa Romeo FIA sponsorships, the Agnellis & Marchionne could easily brush off such claims as mindless ramblings. So, perhaps the real question is… "How can we?"

I would suggest looking to Subaru. Since the 1995 introduction of the Outback, the "7-star cluster" has become synonymous with off road driving as well as rallying. They've created a entire range of muscular versions of standard people movers. Those musclebound versions dominate their sales (Impreza is practically an entire range). What if FIAT marketed Lancia as a complete range of Quadifoglio Verde/ABARTH/SRT beasts... filling the void between the FIAT and Jeep ranges? What if Lancia was reintroduced as the definitive brand of AWD (all wheel drive) sexy sedans & sport coupés? The technology in modern automobiles has made it possible to marry power and fuel efficiency to varying degrees. If the 22nd placed global automaker can do it, surely 'the Fixer' and his fearless pit crew can get it sorted and on the right track. 

Question: FIAT, can you hear the cries?

LANCIA! LANCIA! LANCIA!

Vivere.Amare.Guidare.

Dedicated to Jolly Club & Mighty Mouse Militia

Ciao!

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