Fiat 500: The Sixties Revisited

There’s no use in denying it: I’m quite the nostalgic, as you may already have surmised, if you frequent my blog on occasions. Today gave way for yet another dive into days gone by, as I passed a beautiful version of the 2008 model Fiat 500. I must say though, that I actually had to look twice.

I mean… Look at it! I could’ve sworn it was a 1960’s Fiat. At first glance, that is. Seriously, I’m quite taken aback by the striking resemblance. You just have to hand it to the Fiat designers, don’t you, who’ve performed way beyond any design lover’s wildest expectations. Man! I grew up practically surrounded by them. Call it a slight exaggeration, if you will, but I swear it’s (practically) true. Those of you not old enough to remember, may want some kind of proof, so here goes:

See what I mean? My only regret is that they didn’t have the courage to turn the doors the other (some might argue “the wrong”) way, which truly would’ve been a bold approach in today’s car manufacturing industry. It certainly would’ve added a certain je ne-sais quoi. A flair of… well, the nostalgia they’ve tried to achieve, obviously. I’m left completely dumbfounded. Will you look at that! You may have gathered by now that I’m deeply and profoundly awestruck, although I’ve maintained my ability to raise a glass in sincere reverence and praise of Italian design, even if I seem to detect a touch of Japan in there (am I right in assuming that Fiat and Yamaha have something going?).

Having said all that, I must confess that I’m a little ambivalent. After all, I strongly oppose the presence of fossil-fuelled cars altogether, but as fossil-fuelled car come, this one’s an aesthetic triumph, no less. Or, at the very least: a successful stroll down memory lane.

But let’s not fool ourselves: deep down it’s all a question of vintage design offering the mental promise of simpler times revisited.

Time to get real.