Editor’s note: In the mid 1980s, while working under Chris Herwig as an AT&T National Account Engineering Manager for GE and Dupont, I was also writing for several major car magazines, and my stories were accompanied by photos taken by my wife Mary. We also had a lot of cars, mostly Alfas, but more than a few Fiats. We in fact did sell a Fiat Spider to Chris, and there were a few problems, which led us to write this bit of mostly fictional humor for our monthly column in “Car Collector and Car Classics” magazine. Note that in the photo Chris is holding a rather large pipe wrench. He was a very good sport about it all. Chris recently celebrated his 75th birthday, which brought this article to light once again. Happy birthday, boss!
Fiat
Fiat, 1980-1999: What We Have Missed
Review by Pete Vack
All photos from the book
David Beare’s most recent volume of Fiat history, Fiat, Twenty More Years Vol 3, 1980-1999, poignantly reminds those residing in the U.S. of the Italian automotive joys we have been denied. In 1983, Fiat exited the US market. Until the purchase of Chrysler followed by the introduction of the Fiat 500 to the U.S. in 2011, no new Fiats landed on these shores (the last Fiats sold here were the 124 Spiders and the X1/9, both by then imported and badged by others).
Yet in America, two generations had been treated to the delights (and problems) of Fiat’s postwar cars including the 1900, 1100, 1200, 1500, 2300, 600, 500, 850, Dino,124, 131, 128 and ultimately, the fatal Ritmo/Strada. These lucky enthusiasts experienced a truly different, and Italian way of motoring. No other manufacturer offered such a cornucopia of nicely styled, interesting, innovative and economical cars. Many of us came to know these cars well, some inside and out. [Read more…] about Fiat, 1980-1999: What We Have Missed
Fiat’s 1100: The Padmini Years
Fiat Freakout 2019: The Winners
By Philippe H. Defechereux © 2020
Event photos by Tim Beeble
In Part 1 of this report, the participants’ spirit had already been brightened by a surprise-filled countryside rally, a go-pro go-kart challenge or, for the sightseeing-inclined, a well-staged visit to historical Old Salem. But the fun was far from over: a fabulous Friday evening experience was still awaiting those who love movie thrillers filled with spectacular car chases and it would take place outdoors in a vast bucolic area and start at 8 pm close to sunset.
Fiat Freak Out 2019
By Philippe H. Defechereux © 2020
All photos property of Fiat Club America except otherwise indicated
From July 10th to 14th of 2019, on the vast and resplendent grounds of the Grandover Resort in Greensboro, North Carolina, the 36th consecutive “Fiat FreakOut” (“FFO” for initiates) successfully took place. Why such a long-lasting and popular tradition?
For some peculiar reason, Fiat cars (and some of their close relatives) inspire a beguiling and enduring fervor in their American owners and even their families. The FFO, organized by the Fiat Club America, is the annual national celebration of that passion, mixed with a large dose of well-planned fun.
Sharp’s Retromobile Part 2 Fiat to Renault
Photos by Jonathan Sharp
Where the cars are
What, even more from Retro? This is part 2 of Sharp’s Retro, covering Fiats to Renaults. While it seems like overkill, Retro is big enough for the like of four or five great correspondents and photographers, including the amazing Jonathan Sharp from the U.K, the magical Hugues Vanhoolandt from Belgium, the dean of all motoring correspondents Graham Gauld, who lives in France, and the evergreen ever-present Italian Alessandro Gerelli. It is where the Italians and French cars meet in glorious abundance.
And so, we do cover it well. It is almost like being there, minus the usually dismal weather. Enjoy!
–Pete Vack, Editor
A Touch of Dante’s Genius: Epilogue
Fiat X1/9: One of VeloceToday’s most popular articles
By Roberto Motta
Photos by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles press archive and GGRM archive
Read the history of the X1/9 Prototipos
Read X1/9 Prototipos Today
Characterized by taut lines, and equipped with the engine and various mechanical components taken from the 128 sedan, the Fiat X1/9 was, and remains, a dream car.
The “X1/9” was part of a design series designation that began with the Fiat 128, which was the “X1/1”. The X1/9 was the first ‘Targa’ car produced by FIAT and Bertone.
Chateau Impney Hillclimb Revived!
“You are going where? To what? When?”, I asked our foremost British correspondent when he said he’ll drop by Impney on the weekend of July 11-12. This one was a new one on us. In fact, it is the very first revival of the Chateau Impney hillclimb that was staged on the grounds of the Chateau Impney, originally run from 1957-1967. And what a revival it was. The turnout, the weather, and above all Sharp’s imagery were all spectacular; what else can we do but run as many photos as possible? And so we did. In this segment we list the Italian and French cars in alphabetical order. In another segment, we allow room –click here – for the magnificent non-Italian and French entries; cars you will not see elsewhere and yet so very fascinating= Ed. [Read more…] about Chateau Impney Hillclimb Revived!
Fiat’s X1/9: The 1300 and 1500 Street Cars
By Roberto Motta
Photos by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles press archive and GGRM archive
Read the history of the X1/9 Prototipos
Read X1/9 Prototipos Today
Characterized by taut lines, and equipped with the engine and various mechanical components taken from the 128 sedan, the Fiat X1/9 was, and remains, a dream car.
The “X1/9” was part of a design series designation that began with the Fiat 128, which was the “X1/1”. The X1/9 was the first ‘Targa’ car produced by FIAT and Bertone.
In the past, it was been a normal Fiat practice to realize an highly-tuned Spider versions of its standard sedans; for example the 1100 TV (in the mid 1950s), the 1200 and 1500 Roadster (in the early 1960s) or, from 1969, the 124 Spider. During the 1965, with the Bertone’s help, Fiat produced also a low-priced car, the little 850 Spider. This Spider was a great commercial success, helping cement the relationship between Bertone and Fiat.
[Read more…] about Fiat’s X1/9: The 1300 and 1500 Street Cars
Mystery Car Unraveled
Sometimes, it’s still fun….
Today we have almost dozens of books about rare Italian cars; multiple Internet sources which leave no digit unmolested, no photo left unseen; dozens of seasoned veterans with years of experience identifying, finding, buying, and selling rare Italian cars, and then wonderful resources for information such as the REVS and IMRRC.
All of this means that there are few true mystery cars left out there – the wealth of resources has taken much of the fun away from finding a photo of a car one can’t identify.
Still, once in a while one comes up that we find it hard to figure. When this happens, we put the image up on VeloceToday and we are sure to find the right answer. Or so we hope.
Brooklands Italian Car Day
Story and photos by Jonathan Sharp
Judging by the three lines of cars, all of which were made in Italy, waiting to pass through the Campbell gate of the Brooklands Motor Circuit in Surrey, the Italian car community is alive and thriving. [Read more…] about Brooklands Italian Car Day