We saw this tiny old car just outside the Palazzo del Normanni in Palermo. Not really any identifying marks I could spot, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen one like it before.
Can someone help me figure out what type of car this is and about how old it might be?
(peeking inside the driver’s window)
In a former British colony, Marilyn learns about its history and explores its beauties
recommended by TravelGumbo
As the year draws to an end, Jayita’s visit to a religious landmark inspires her to wish world peace for us all
This iconic tree along The 17 Mile Drive is always a beautiful picture.
Of all the grand features of Paris’s Grands Magasins, Paul Heymont’s favorite is the stained glass dome at Printemps
DrFumblefinger shares images of a Lewis and Clark statue he spotted on the Boise State Capitol grounds.
This is all the clue there is: Is it enough for you to name the scene of a future TravelGumbo blog? Email answers by Tuesday midnight to [email protected].
DrFumblefinger shares images of a Lewis and Clark statue he spotted on the Boise State Capitol grounds.
DrFumblefinger shares images and memories of a cruise on Lisbon’s Tagus River.
Gumbo’s got a photo of a 1943 Kubelwagen from the great Tampa Bay Automobile Museum collection.
Rommels’ Afrika Korps ?
Yes, that Palm Tree icon is their symbol. Uncanny resemblance to PortMoresby’s avatar, although she’s nothing at all like Rommel or his Korps.
Gary, that pic is the “new” 500 (Cinquecento), now appearing in greater numbers in the U.S. as well, since Chrysler and Fiat are now one.
But DrF’s is the old one, from the 50s-70s, such as this one. I believe the last year was 1973; this is a 1967 model. Note the passenger-size to car-size ratio!
This is part of a whole series of “people’s cars” of the postwar generation. Others include the VW Beetle, the Citroen 2CV, the original Mini and a few more. It’s been interesting to see the Beetle, the Mini and the 500 revived as semi-luxury items.
The most common military version of the Beetle in WW2 was the “Kubelwagen,” the German equivalent of the U.S. Jeep. Here’s a picture of them together…
Incidentally, “Kubelwagen” means “bucket car,” named because it was one of the first vehicles equipped with bucket seats…deeply indented to help keep passengers from flying out when the side doors were not in place.
Yes, it’s a Fiat 500/600.
I drove one around Spain in the 70s.
Tiny rear engine – air cooled – go forever !
Copied in many countries around the world – made under license from Fiat
Considered quite a fashionable car and Fiat have started making the Fiat 500 again!
But much, much bigger !
Wikipedia Photo
The VW Beetle has been in production for 77 years !!
It produced many derivatives during WW2 for army use.
Another piece of magnificent engineering.
Rommels’ Afrika Korps ?
DrF, are you sure? Yours is, indeed, a Fiat 500. I drove the Spanish version, called a Seat, during a time I spent in Mallorca, mid ’60’s, a new one that broke down regularly, terrible car but rented, so the agency would pick it up and fix it. As PHeymont mentions, I think of VW as the real “People’s Car”, reliable and a ’69 model, I may have mentioned previously, lives in my garage below me as I write. I intend to update its registration soon so a friend can drive it. I’m sure I’ll be taking a spin too. I may even indulge it with (another) new paint job.