Walking around the back streets of an old Italian village is always a delight, and Syracuse in Sicily was no exception. I am always on the look out for the “little things” to photograph, and, being an admirer of vintage automobiles, I have developed a passion for vintage Fiats.
I spotted this one in a back alleyway, and although it was a bit battered and probably had seen better days, it looked like it was still in use, and was more than likely used for just local trips. I was told the Italians hang on to these for as long as they can, and they only require minimal maintenance. Plus they are easy on fuel consumption too.
Maybe we can take a lesson from the Italians and only use our cars when we really need to, and ease the congestion on our roads, no to mention the fuel savings and gas emissions (sorry, I got a bit “green” there!).
Belongs in the pantheon of true “people’s cars” along with the Citroen 2CV and (dare I say it?) the ugly duckling of the lot…the Trabi, which was advanced over its peers in a number of ways.
Ironic, isn’t it, to think the original Fiat 300s like this one were banished for smoking, and now we find that VW’s “clean diesel” was smoking a pack a day on the road!
Oh, and let’s not forget the original Morris Mini-Minor…not as early as the others, but wonderful in its own right.
These cute little Fiats were only 633cc and air cooled.
But the tiny little Fiat engines was banned from western Europe for their excessive emissions.
Let’s also not forget the Volkswagon on the European side.
And the Ford Model T, which so greatly dropped the cost of an automobile it became a mass consumer good.
This Tatra V570 was produced in 1933. Three years before the VW Beetle.
It had a rear mounted air cooled engine.
Lower centre of gravity to make it more stable.
And aerodynamics to improve its efficiency.
The Czech company tried to sue for copyright infringement – but Adolph H. dismissed the claim. He invaded Czechoslovakia in 1939. VW finally paid up in 1961.
Looks like a “Noddy” car, Garry….
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