Fiat Road Race
Lost in Italy : Episode LNIT-120
Douglas: Our car, the Cinquecento, is the Ford Model T of Italy. First built in the late '50s, it's still the most beloved car in the country.
Ombretta: Even if they're not very comfortable--they're small and they don't drive very fast--it's like driving a piece of history. And they are so cute!
Douglas: Plus, the Fiat Cinquecento is so easy to park. Parking in Italy can be such a nightmare!
Ombretta: The main thing the Fiat Cinquecento reminds me of is my childhood. It was the car I learned to drive in and also where I gave my first kiss... sorry, Douglas. It wasn't you!
Douglas: Many Fiat 500 owners are their own mechanics, so they put a great deal of work into their beloved automobiles. Of course, the first thing they do is to make the engine faster, so during the Raduno they can have a friendly race... it's so funny to see these tiny little cars racing around! The Raduno begins with all the cars gathering in a field. The drivers compare their cars, swap restoration horror stories, and trade spare parts. It's a great place to see the cars up close. If you ask, most owners will even let you sit inside. Prepare yourself--these cars are really small.
Ombretta: After all the cars have gathered, they take a beautiful drive up into the surrounding hills. They even stop for contests along the way to test the drivers' skills. But the best part of a Cinquecento Raduno is the obstacle course. Every car takes their turn, with a trophy going to the fastest driver.
Douglas: Of course you had to be the one behind the wheel!
Ombretta: Hey, how can you be expected to race a Cinquecento? You're not even Italian!
Contact Information
The official FIAT 500 website (in Italian)
www.500clubitalia.it
Fiat 500 Fan Club in the U.S.A.
www.fiat.at/ho/funclub
An Italian site that shows how to restore a Fiat 500 (also in Italian)
fiatcinquecento.dadacasa.supereva
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