Freaking Out Over Fiats

[Europa]

http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08 ... ver-fiats/

Freaking Out Over Fiats
August 18, 2009, 5:49 PM
By PHIL PATTON

A 1978 Fiat 131S at Fiat Freak Out, an annual gathering of Fiat owners.

Phil Patton for The New York Times

A 1978 Fiat 131S at Fiat Freak Out, an annual gathering of Fiat owners.
More than a quarter century ago a band of Fiat owners, left high and dry by the Italian automaker’s withdrawal from the American market, formed a club to foster appreciation for their cars. “Fiat left the U.S. market in March 1983, and we were formed in July 1983,” said Bobb Rayner, one of the founders of Fiat-Lancia Unlimited.

Last weekend, the club held its annual gathering, Fiat Freak Out, which included a concourse on Saturday and a show and parts swap on Sunday. Some 150 Fiats, Lancias and Abarths, along with a few Alfa Romeos and a Ferrari or two, assembled on the lawn of Lower Perkiomen Valley Park in Oaks, Pa., a northwestern suburb of Philadelphia. The venue changes from year to year, but there was another difference this time around — the prospect of Fiat’s return to the United States.

Chrysler delivered a new Fiat 500 to the Freak Out to sit alongside the older models. Fiat, which now owns a stake in Chrysler, has said the 500 will be sold in the United States. Other models probably will be offered as well, but Lisa Barrow, a Chrysler spokeswoman, said the details are still being worked out.

An old 500 sat beside the new 500, and several owners swore they would buy new Fiats if they indeed become available.

Phil Patton for The New York Times

An old 500 sat beside the new 500, and several owners swore they would buy new Fiats if they indeed become available.
Among the older cars were a gray 1978 Fiat 131S “Supermirafiori” edition, wearing the Scrabble tile style Fiat logo of the period, and a red-and-cream 1962 Multipla, an example of the company’s tin-toy-like proto-minivan. Convertibles dominated, including Spiders and the X1/9, a Bertone design.

There was a rare, bright-blue Abarth coupe with a Zagato body and a few Lancia Scorpions, the latter model a Pininfarina design that bears a hint of resemblance to the DeLorean DMC-12. The last Fiats sold in the United States were also represented by Bravas, Stradas, 128s and 131s.

Fiat fans have long suffered from bad jokes about the cars. “But by the same token that has been a bonding force,” Mr. Rayner admitted. And Fiat’s reputation in the 1970s for poor quality, he noted, was not unique. “They had problems, yes, but so did all cars. Remember the Chevrolet Vega and the Ford Pinto?”

[katsi]

How cool, the older Fiats are really nice. The boxy-ness of them realy work. Even the old and new 500's are pretty cool looking as well. But, has anyone actually seen the Fiat auto line up. They have the 500 and another one that look ok but the rest are BUTT UGLY. The larger ones look like boots with wheels. No kidding, kinda like a high top rollerskate. Personally, I predict another poor showing in the US marketplace for Fiat. Hope I'm wrong but, I would not choose to purchase a newer Fiat because they are just soooooo homley. The AMC pacer looks like Marlyn Monroe compairred to some of the new Fiats.

[ga.spyder]

The new 500,seen in person,is not an ugly car.It is a little quirky though.I have my doubts as to how well they will be recieved by American buyers.I have driven it and it is a well constructed ,quiet,peppy little car.It placed the 7th fastest overall time in the auto-x at FFO! Now if you wanna see ugly,you should see the Fiat Multipla minivan......yeck!

[htchevyii]

I don't like the ugly van, but many don't look worse than any other new "belly button" cars. The little "El Camino" things I saw in Mexico were kind of cool. I'm probabily not the avg consumer, since even though I work at a new car dealership, I much prefer the simplicity and style of old cars. I do kind of like the new 500's, although I don't know if I'd buy such a small car.

[manoa matt]

"I don't know if I'd buy such a small car." What about your spider? The 500 interior has to be roomier than the spider.

[katsi]

Whoa Matt, You have to admit, the spider is almost like an enigma. It started out as the 124 coupe and then the idiots squaired it up and then Pinninfarina came in and said, "Hay, what the heck did you do to that great looking car?" Then they went retro with the coupe and chopped off the top, stylized the rear end to fit a convertable and finally spruced up the interior. For, what makes the really cool car we all love. The fact of the matter is, if the spider did not LOOK as it does now, I don't think any one of us would be fixing them up and driving them. They are a timeless beauty. Anyway, my point is this, we love them because they are so F-ing cool looking. The rest just falls into place - good and bad - and we take it and deal with it because they are just so gorgeous. I don't think that if they looked like the Yugo, we would be putting so much time and energy into them (excusing the occasional freak).

Anyway, imagine if Datsun / Nissan still made the 510 and it looked pretty much like it did back in the early 70's. I don't think I would drive anything else. For that matter, what if Fiat still produced the Spider or the 124 coupe in ths same early fashon? That would be really cool. Does aerodynamics really account for that mutch? I would love to see a return of the more "Boxy" style of small car. Any car for that matter.

Now days, it's hard to tell a Hyundai from a Ford from a Chevy, from a Fiat, from a ...... It seems that the car manufacturers have lost all their coolness and let their immaginations take a wrong turn somewhere.

Just my mumbling thoughts. Did not intend this to be rude in any way.

[mbouse]

great that "Chrysler" brought a new 500 to the show. Great that some may have had a chance to test drive it or the right hand drive model last year.

i'm wondering what federalization will do to the performance, betting that either of the two above mentioned models have yet to pass USA safety or emissions standards.

hoping that there will be a plethora of available aftermarket replacement parts to European-ize (is that a word?) what we end up with here in the states next year. and i am not just talking about rebadging... heavy and awkward looking bumpers and emissions equipment come quickly to mind.

[htchevyii]

"I don't know if I'd buy such a small car." What about your spider? The 500 interior has to be roomier than the spider.

But you can't beat the spiders head room. I did get to drive the right hand drive one the Irish fellas brought last year and it did seem smaller than a spider plus the spider is just a fun car, not main transportation.

[mdrburchette]

I, for one, am hoping the 500 will soon make it to our shores and the Feds don't screw it up with all kinds of mandates. I would prefer the Abarth edition since I thought the one I drove could use a little more power but I believe I'll fit nicely in one. No car is meant to meet everyone's criteria but I think it'll be a nice every day car for the girls and me.