Fiat 500: On Its Way

Early one morning at the New York Auto Show, in April 2009, two rows of neatly positioned automobiles stood in darkened corridors at the side of the auditorium. Several would soon receive World Car of the Year awards in specific categories. One patient contender for the Design prize, a mini-sized blue car with a curiously compelling profile, seemed caught between bashful reticence and youthful enthusiasm.

Design of the Year Winner

Only when the speaker named the three finalists did some audience members note the identity of that blue minicar. It was the Fiat 500, deliciously shaped like its Italian predecessor of a half-century ago, and revived in modern form. Moments later, this little Fiat captured the Design of the Year trophy, beating the Jaguar XF and Citroen C5. No one appeared to argue about the decision. Fiat's 500 simply oozes flair, charm, and Italian style—not unlike its corporate cousins from Maserati and Ferrari.


When the last Fiat automobiles journeyed from Italy to American dealerships, Ronald Reagan was serving his first term as President. Officially, those final Fiats were 1983 models: Spider two-seat sports cars and X1/9 sport coupes. Spiders hung on until 1986, but they wore Pininfarina badges. Bertone badging went on the final X1/9 coupes.


Movie fans might know that a cartoon version of the original Fiat 500, named "Luigi," played a pivotal role in the 2006 Disney-Pixar animated film, Cars. To most U.S. motorists, though, the Fiat brand is only a dim memory. (Photo copyright at The Walt Disney Company.)


Luigi

Fiat's prominence in the American automotive mind took a surprising turn in spring of 2009, when the ailing Chrysler company announced that it was engaged in talks, with an eye toward becoming part of the Italian automaker's empire. After weeks of discussion, the two firms stated their intention to join. Fiat would acquire 20 percent of Chrysler in exchange for Fiat's smaller-car technology (no cash changing hands). After all the back and forth negotiating and legal debates, it has recently been announced that the shapely Fiats will indeed see American shores and roadways once again. Founded in 1899 by Giovanni Agnelli, the Fiat company had an early American connection. Between 1910 and 1918, Fiat motorcars were built in Poughkeepsie, New York.