Fiat have built millions of vehicles since 1899 but the company is perhaps best known for its ability to produce small, economical, characterful cars. 'Great Small Fiats' traces this concept from the birth of the 500A 'Topolino' in the 1930s up the current Panda and a hint of the proposed Nuova 500. Each of the selected models are described in detail from their conception through to current ownership in the hands of collectors and enthusiasts. The chapters include practical information on buying and running a small Fiat and restoration advice for the older cars. Also included are Fiats built under licence outside of Italy and the Fiat-derived 'etceterini' coachbuilt and competition cars.
Fiat has built millions of vehicles since 1899 but the company is perhaps best known for its ability to produce small, economical, characterful cars. Great Small Fiats traces this concept from the birth of the 500A "Topolino" in the 1930s up to the current Panda and a hint of the proposed Nuova 500. Each of the selected models are described in detail from their conception through to current ownership in the hands of collectors and enthusiasts. The chapters include practical information on buying and running a small Fiat and restoration advice for the older cars. Also included are Fiats built under license outside of Italy and the Fiat-derived "etceterini" coachbuilt and competition cars.
Great Small Fiats is a tribute to some of the best small Fiats ever produced. In deciding which models to include in this book, Phil Ward concentrated on three criteria - greatness, size and emotion. Where size is an easy parameter to qualify, greatness is more complicated because it is a combination of of both the manufacturer's and the public's opinion. A car that is highly regarded by the public may not have been a commercial success and vice versa. A truly great car is one that works well for both parties. Emotion may be considered to be an element of greatness in that the public's 'love' for a car is a fantastic benefit for a manufacturer and must be treasured. Fiat have made the mistake of 'improving' an icon on several occasions only to find that public opinion went against them. Fortunately Fiat has been magnanimous enough to respond by giving the car-buying public more of what it wants. As long as they continue to do so then Fiat's reputation as the world's greatest small car manufacturer is set to continue. The author chose the Topolino as the starting point, as it fulfils all the criteria, and was the first Fiat built in the late 1930s to satisfy the Italian public's new-found desire for mobilisation. The old conventions of car production were turned upside down with the arrival of the 600 which revolutionised car production techniques and maximised on passenger space and performance at minimal cost. These principles continued via a succession of models which include the 500, 850, 126, 127 through to more recent models like the Cinquecento and Seicento. Running in parallel with these "cheeky" Fiats, this book covers a range of slightly larger cars that were built in huge numbers. Though rather staid in appearance, the 1950s Millecento was family transport for millions of Italians covering three decades, four when the Indian-built cars are included. Similarly the 128, Panda and Uno were 'the' Italian small cars of the '70s, '80s and '90s. Nuova Panda carries the banner through to recent models.
Always big on character and charm, Fiat's little cars played an important international roll in providing affordable and practical private transport for millions who had previously thought their dream impossible. With particular emphasis on the now classic 600 and Nuova 500 cars, this book tells the full story of these 'baby' Fiats. Built, and exported to, many countries outside of the marque's native Italy, over 6.5 million Topolinos, 600s and Nuova 500s were sold, and an amazing number survive to this today. Also covered are the wonderful models built on these cars' tiny chassis by Italy's leading coachbuilders, and the motorsport success achieved by the Abarth versions of the little cars that everybody loves.
Small cars have been a feature of Italian life since the 1920s. Three-quarters of the country is mountainous, so roads are windy and narrow, while densely packed city streets also require tiny and maneuverable cars. Products of necessity and austerity, Fiat's small cars have acquired a cult following throughout the world. The charismatic 500 and 600 are particularly popular, and while this book looks at these cars and their many derivatives, they are also set in context with the 1930s Topolino, and Fiat's more recent interpretations of the classic theme, the 126, Cinquecento and Seicento, being interpreted in detail.
A true icon of Italian lifestyle, the 500 was actually supposed to be a niche product, but in just few years, its elegance and affordability made it one of the best selling cars, with 4 Millions units manifactured and sold in a 20 years lifespan. ▹ This volume recounts the story of this Italian symbol from the early models, through the iconic 1957 Nuova 500, up to the current version thanks to the many renderings and original designs included. ▹ The book gathers pictures to witness the relevance of the 500 and its many appearances in art, news, movies and every-day life.
A visual history of the FIAT 500, the ultimate lifestyle car that has remained a timeless classic and design legend. Considered to be one of the most popular models in automotive history, the FIAT 500 has become a legend over time. Its innovative features, the original and recognizable design of its bodywork, and its versatility have distinguished it as an automotive icon with enduring appeal. FIAT 500: The Design Book is an invitation to embark on a captivating journey through the main milestones of the 500 project: from the first series in the 1960s to the public presentation at the Geneva International Motor Show of the Trepiùno prototype in 2004, of the new 500 and 500C, the 500L through to the 500X. This visually rich and fascinating book explains not only the genesis and "design metamorphosis" of each model, but also their backgrounds, and explores the contributions of the designers who have helped to develop them with innovation and foresight.
Fiat socialism could also be called flexible socialism, as it frees socialism from the rigidities imposed by historical law. This socialism will take different forms in different places, it accepts that socialist organizations are not exempt from making mistakes, it will involve different levels of participation by the private sector, as well as different levels in the gross operating surpluses, and it is open to processes of improvement in order to mobilize real resources in the best possible way to achieve the goals of socialism. Only one rigidity is established: monetary sovereignty. Modern monetary theory is only valid in monetary systems where the state is the sovereign issuer of its currency and where there is an appropriate coordination between the Central Bank and the Treasury. If Archimedes in ancient Greece said give me a point of support and I will move the world, a socialist Archimedes would say give me monetary sovereignty and I will build you socialism. Euro delendus est
The fascinating story of a century-old automobile dynasty Fiat is one of the world's largest automakers, but when it made headlines by grabbing control of a bankrupt Chrysler in 2009 it was unknown in the U.S. Fiat’s against-all-odds swoop on Chrysler---masterminded by Sergio Marchionne, the Houdini-like manager who saved Fiat from its own near-collapse in 2005 – has made the automaker one of the most unlikely winners of the financial crisis. Mondo Agnelli is a new book that looks at the chain of unpredictable events triggered by the death of Gianni Agnelli in 2003. Gianni, the charismatic, silver-haired power broker and style icon, was the patriarch who had lead the company founded by his grandfather in 1899. But Gianni's own son had committed suicide. Without a mature heir, the dynasty and Fiat were rudderless. Backed by Gianni's closest advisors, his serious, shy, and determined grandson John plucked Marchionne from obscurity. Together, they saved the family company and, inadvertently, positioned Fiat as a global trailblazer when the global storm hit. A classic story of ingenuity and hard work, the book portrays a business dynasty that triumphed over adversity and family tragedy because of its own smarts, sweat, and ability to bend the rules A an engaging tale for those interested in the stories behind the economic crash, the book contains never-before reported material about how Fiat succeeded in making Chrysler profitable where both Daimler AG and Cerberus, its previous owners, had failed. A story for a wide audience, from car buffs, business readers, lovers of Italy, and anyone fascinated by the lifestyle of Europe's most glamorous industrial dynasty, this book tells the tale of how Fiat achieved the seemingly impossible -- turning around an American automotive icon everyone else had given up for dead.
