“Any car with the word “Fiat” on it.”
FIX-IT-AGAIN-TONY
I had a Fiat 850; my first car. Back in the late ‘60s, it cycled like this...The car would break-down. It was towed to Tony’s. He’d have to order the part. Three weeks later, he’d fix it, and take my money.
A week later, it was something else and we’d begin again.
A friend who knew of all my problems with the car, nonetheless bought it from me for a few cases of beer and a bag of weed.
The next day, I introduced him to Tony.
Also
F@##ing
Italian
Attempt at
Transportation
THe Italians at the time thought Americans were still in the home mnechanic mode, and could handle cleaning carb jets, using the choke and throttle separately, and knowing all the good old American odds and ends that kept Model T's on the road.
In short, their marketing department though that we were still "Tony." Not the effete hydramatic wimps we have become, most of whom do not know a clutch from a Clinton.
THink, FIATS were unreliable? In Germany they had a better reliability rating than BMW. And of course, a Renault would make them look dependable indeed. Historically speaking, the 124 series especially were a fabulous accomplishment and are still in production around the world.
At a cocktail party, it is OK to complain about your Audi, or Volvo, both of which are shop queens, not to mention the Land Rover. But the cheap FIAT, who cares? A great car of the world, except for Americans.