66 replies to this topic

[Mojo Risin]

Ferrari design chief dies

[R Booth]

Fuk, did this guy have an eye for shape & form, or what? One of my prized possesions years ago ('til some prick stole it) was the Pininfarina cloisonné badge from my '57 Guilietta Spider that I had made into a key chain. Damn but I wish I had that back.

And the car too.....

[boomer]

A cute car for pink fingers it is...

As an old Chevy,Ford and Jeep driver,though we've had a few Toyota cars & 4x's,and few European sporties,and one Volvo...seen the title and thought....some old Italian tenor bit the big one....

[Maddog]

He was the comencement speaker at my my graduation from ACCD. Hell of an eye. He was worshiped at the school.

[mikewof]

Fuk, did this guy have an eye for shape & form, or what? One of my prized possesions years ago ('til some prick stole it) was the Pininfarina cloisonné badge from my '57 Guilietta Spider that I had made into a key chain. Damn but I wish I had that back.

And the car too.....

I still have my '75 Spider. Gorgeous design. White with red interior, sex on wheels.

Pinninfarina achieved something remarkable in auto design ... his 30 year old, 40 year old or even 50 year old designs would still fit today on a showroom floor. Could you imagine rolling out most 35 year old designs today? They would look as dated as a box of stale stadium peanuts.

I think this is one dts thread that deserves some photos.

[R Booth]

Fuk, did this guy have an eye for shape & form, or what? One of my prized possesions years ago ('til some prick stole it) was the Pininfarina cloisonné badge from my '57 Guilietta Spider that I had made into a key chain. Damn but I wish I had that back.

And the car too.....

I still have my '75 Spider. Gorgeous design. White with red interior, sex on wheels.

Pinninfarina achieved something remarkable in auto design ... his 30 year old, 40 year old our even 50 year old designs would still be fitting today on a showroom floor. Could you imagine rolling out most 35 year old designs today? They would look as dated as a box of stale stadium peanuts.

The very worst Pininfarina design was still twelve million times more beautiful than anything that came out of Detroit between the '70's and about eight years ago (Ford GT40)......

[Mojo Risin]

Fuk, did this guy have an eye for shape & form, or what? One of my prized possesions years ago ('til some prick stole it) was the Pininfarina cloisonné badge from my '57 Guilietta Spider that I had made into a key chain. Damn but I wish I had that back.

And the car too.....

I still have my '75 Spider. Gorgeous design. White with red interior, sex on wheels.

Pinninfarina achieved something remarkable in auto design ... his 30 year old, 40 year old or even 50 year old designs would still fit today on a showroom floor. Could you imagine rolling out most 35 year old designs today? They would look as dated as a box of stale stadium peanuts.

I think this is one dts thread that deserves some photos.

Put up a pic of your car. Would love to see it.

(This request is not to be confused with the request to Gaytor to post a pic of his car.)

[mikewof]

[Mojo Risin]

That's not white with red, and not an Alfa.

[mikewof]

Fuk, did this guy have an eye for shape & form, or what? One of my prized possesions years ago ('til some prick stole it) was the Pininfarina cloisonné badge from my '57 Guilietta Spider that I had made into a key chain. Damn but I wish I had that back.

And the car too.....

I still have my '75 Spider. Gorgeous design. White with red interior, sex on wheels.

Pinninfarina achieved something remarkable in auto design ... his 30 year old, 40 year old or even 50 year old designs would still fit today on a showroom floor. Could you imagine rolling out most 35 year old designs today? They would look as dated as a box of stale stadium peanuts.

I think this is one dts thread that deserves some photos.

Put up a pic of your car. Would love to see it.

(This request is not to be confused with the request to Gaytor to post a pic of his car.)

Definitely, I'm proud of her, albeit a bad daddy by keeping her in storage all these years (thanks for the permanent garage space mom and dad) instead of driving her.

I'll get over there on Friday or Saturday, take a photo for the thread. You'll have to ignore the dust.

[mikewof]

That's not white with red, and not an Alfa.

That's not my car.

Mine is a white with red 124 Spider, 1800 cc. That's a yellow Azzura, which I cannot afford.

[mikewof]

[mikewof]

Pinninfarina designed Cadillac ...

[Great Red Shark]

Damn, that's not bad looking at all, for a big ol' boat !

Caddy has a history of Italian ddesign help, I think those Allante's were Pinner's too.

I had a 1971 Fiat 124 Spider convertible (1600cc, pre-hood bumps) for awhile in High School, - very cool. You could raise & lower the top manually from the driver's seat, where my MG required you to make about 4 laps around the back...

I loved that car - the cigarette lighter was labled "Cigar" and the gas guage "Benzia", and it had manual choke and throttle levers under the dash.

I kept the PF badge from mine, too.

[Anthonyvop]

[Anthonyvop]

[Bow Monkey]

Fuk, did this guy have an eye for shape & form, or what? One of my prized possesions years ago ('til some prick stole it) was the Pininfarina cloisonné badge from my '57 Guilietta Spider that I had made into a key chain. Damn but I wish I had that back.

And the car too.....

I still have my '75 Spider. Gorgeous design. White with red interior, sex on wheels.

Pinninfarina achieved something remarkable in auto design ... his 30 year old, 40 year old our even 50 year old designs would still be fitting today on a showroom floor. Could you imagine rolling out most 35 year old designs today? They would look as dated as a box of stale stadium peanuts.

The very worst Pininfarina design was still twelve million times more beautiful than anything that came out of Detroit between the '70's and about eight years ago (Ford GT40)......

Bite me. My ride was Detroit designed in that time period, and it still got his boss's stamp of approval. Beauty isn't everything.

"The Jeep is America's only true sportscar." Enzo Ferrari.

[tuf-luf]

Fuk, did this guy have an eye for shape & form, or what? One of my prized possesions years ago ('til some prick stole it) was the Pininfarina cloisonné badge from my '57 Guilietta Spider that I had made into a key chain. Damn but I wish I had that back.

And the car too.....

I still have my '75 Spider. Gorgeous design. White with red interior, sex on wheels.

Pinninfarina achieved something remarkable in auto design ... his 30 year old, 40 year old our even 50 year old designs would still be fitting today on a showroom floor. Could you imagine rolling out most 35 year old designs today? They would look as dated as a box of stale stadium peanuts.

The very worst Pininfarina design was still twelve million times more beautiful than anything that came out of Detroit between the '70's and about eight years ago (Ford GT40)......

Bite me. My ride was Detroit designed in that time period, and it still got his boss's stamp of approval. Beauty isn't everything.

"The Jeep is America's only true sportscar." Enzo Ferrari.

Uhh...I think was Enzo with tongue very firmly planted in cheek.

[soak_ed]

I have one of these, 2001 Mitsubishi Pajero Pinin.  I love it, utility, great 4 WD capability and fun to drive.  If I am careful I can go 85 mph on the highway too!   Polish chicks really dig it, must be that Pininfarina styling. 

[tuf-luf]

I have one of these, 2001 Mitsubishi Pajero Pinin.  I love it, utility, great 4 WD capability and fun to drive.  If I am careful I can go 85 mph on the highway too!   Polish chicks really dig it, must be that Pininfarina styling. 

Puke!!

Sorry....gag...PUKE!!

Tell me no.

[soak_ed]

I have one of these, 2001 Mitsubishi Pajero Pinin. I love it, utility, great 4 WD capability and fun to drive. If I am careful I can go 85 mph on the highway too! Polish chicks really dig it, must be that Pininfarina styling.

Puke!!

Sorry....gag...PUKE!!

Tell me no.

Dude, you have been in Singapore too long. Compared to some of the Eastern bloc cars, my little Pajero is a thing of beauty! I'm just wondering how much Miitsubishi payed Pininfarina to take on the job of giving an inexpensive Japanese 4 WD vehicle that Italian touch.

[R Booth]

I have one of these, 2001 Mitsubishi Pajero Pinin. I love it, utility, great 4 WD capability and fun to drive. If I am careful I can go 85 mph on the highway too! Polish chicks really dig it, must be that Pininfarina styling.

Puke!!

Sorry....gag...PUKE!!

Tell me no.

Dude, you have been in Singapore too long. Compared to some of the Eastern bloc cars, my little Pajero is a thing of beauty! I'm just wondering how much Miitsubishi payed Pininfarina to take on the job of giving an inexpensive Japanese 4 WD vehicle that Italian touch.

My guess is that their check bounced.......

[mikewof]

Dude, you have been in Singapore too long. Compared to some of the Eastern bloc cars, my little Pajero is a thing of beauty! I'm just wondering how much Miitsubishi payed Pininfarina to take on the job of giving an inexpensive Japanese 4 WD vehicle that Italian touch.

I think it looks great, he fixed up the rough edges, and that Mitsu is a proven off-road performer, the winningest Paris-Dakar rally vehicle in the history of the race. Screw the detractors, that's an all-around excellent vehicle.

And the legendary beauty of Polish women ...

[mikewof]

There are few vehicles on the road today that don't owe part of their form to Italian automotive design. Germany and America and Britain and Japan may have developed the function of the the contemporary automobile, but it was Italy that gave it a soul.



http://www.classicdr...00.asp?id=16150

” Quite simply, if it weren't for Sergio Pinnindarina, the automotive world would be a very different place.”

[soak_ed]

Dude, you have been in Singapore too long. Compared to some of the Eastern bloc cars, my little Pajero is a thing of beauty! I'm just wondering how much Miitsubishi payed Pininfarina to take on the job of giving an inexpensive Japanese 4 WD vehicle that Italian touch.

I think it looks great, he fixed up the rough edges, and that Mitsu is a proven off-road performer, the winningest Paris-Dakar rally vehicle in the history of the race. Screw the detractors, that's an all-around excellent vehicle.

And the legendary beauty of Polish women ...

Absolutely some of the prettiest women in the world! They are intelligent, well educated, hard working and cook and clean too. My wife has a PhD, 2 jobs and still insists on ironing my shirts. The only drawback is they are stubborn as hell but you can't have everything.

[stranded]

when did ford buy the pininfarina design house ?

was it in the 70's ?

[Anthonyvop]

when did ford buy the pininfarina design house ?

was it in the 70's ?

As far as I know Pininfarina has always been a family owned operation

[tuf-luf]

when did ford buy the pininfarina design house ?

was it in the 70's ?

As far as I know Pininfarina has always been a family owned operation

Yes, Pinifarina was never owned by Ford.

They had a JV in Sweden with Volvo in the '80s though and Ford's association with Volvo may be the connection.

[tuf-luf]

Amazing how many cars this family designed...and how many people were inspired by their incredible style and modernity.

1933 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300
1936 Lancia Aprilia
1938 Lancia Astura
1948 Cisitalia 202
1952 Ferrari 250
1952 Nash Ambassador[3]
1952 Nash-Healey[4]
1953 Four Berlinetta and one Spyder version of the Maserati A6GCS/53
1955 Ferrari 410 Superamerica
1955 Peugeot 403
1956 Austin A40 Farina
1957 Lancia Flaminia
1958 BMC Farina cars - Austin A55 Cambridge Mk II, MG Magnette Mk III, Morris Oxford V, Riley 4/68, Wolseley 15/60
1959 Fiat 1800/2100
1960 Ferrari 250 GTE
1960 Peugeot 404
1961 Fiat 2300
1961 Cadillac "Jacqueline" Brougham Coupé (named after Jacqueline Kennedy)[5]
1962 BMC ADO16
1963 Chevrolet Corvair Super Spyder Coupé (2 built)[6]
1963 Chevrolet Corvette Rondine Coupé[7]
1963 Datsun Bluebird 410
1963 Mercedes-Benz 230SL concept car ("Pininfarina Coupé")
1964 Ferrari 275
1965 Ferrari Dino 206
1965 MGB GT
1965 Nissan Cedric 130
1966 Alfa Romeo Spider 1600 Duetto
1966 Ferrari 330 GTC
1966 Fiat 124 Sport Spider
1966 Fiat Dino Spider
1966 IKA-Renault Torino
1967 Proposal for replacement for BMC 1100 (ADO16)
1967 Proposal for replacement for BMC 1800 (ADO17)
1968 Ferrari Daytona
1968 Peugeot 504 Cabriolet and Coupe
1971 Fiat 130 Coupe
1971 Ferrari 365 GTC/4
1973 Ferrari 365 GT4 BB
1975 Ferrari 308
1975 Lancia Montecarlo
1975 Rolls-Royce Camargue
1976 Peugeot Peugette concept car[8]
1978 Jaguar XJ6
1980 Ferrari Pinin
1984 Ferrari Testarossa
1984 Ferrari 288 GTO
1984 Honda HP-X concept car[9]
1985 Ferrari 328
1985 Peugeot 205 Cabriolet and Saloon (4 doors) based on Gerard Welter's initial design of the 205 (1983)
1987 Alfa Romeo 164
1987 Cadillac Allanté
1987 Ferrari F40
1987 Peugeot 405
1989 Ferrari 348
1989 Ferrari Mythos
1992 Jaguar XJ220—rebodied an unknown number of cars
1992 Ferrari 456 GT
1993 Fiat Coupé - Interior only
1993 Peugeot 306
1994 Ferrari F355
1994 Peugeot 306 Cabriolet
1995 Alfa Romeo GTV & Spider
1995 Ferrari F355 Spider
1995 MG F - Roof Structure only
1996 Ferrari 550 Maranello
1996 Lancia Kappa SW
1997 Peugeot 406 Coupé
1999 Mitsubishi Pajero
1999 Songhuajiang Hafei Zhongyi
2000 Daewoo Tacuma
2000 Ferrari 360 Spider
2000 Ferrari 550 Barchetta
2001 Citroën Osée
2001 Hyundai Matrix
2002 Daewoo Nubira/Lacetti saloon and station wagon
2002 Enzo Ferrari
2002 Ferrari 575M Maranello
2002 Hafei Lobo
2003 Maserati Quattroporte
2003 Ford Street Ka
2004 Ferrari 612 Scaglietti
2004 Ferrari F430
2005 Hyundai Matrix
2005 Maserati Birdcage 75th
2005 Peugeot 1007
2006 Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano
2006 Ferrari P4/5 by Pininfarina
2006 Mitsubishi Colt CZC
2006 Volvo C70
2007 Brilliance BS4
2007 Ford Focus CC by Pininfarina
2008 Maserati GranTurismo
2008 Pininfarina B0 electric car
2008 Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupé Hyperion concept car
2009 Tata Pr1ma concept car
2009 Ferrari 458 Italia
2010 Alfa Romeo 2uettottanta concept car
2010 Lancia Stratos for Michael Stoschek[10]
2011 Ferrari FF
2012 Ferrari F12 Berlinetta

[mikewof]

Excellent list. It's also amazing from that list that many of the Fiats, Alfas, Peugeot and Jaguars just kept their Pinninfarina designs for years and decades.

Alfa and Fiat used that Pinninfarina design about twenty years, the Alfa cabriolet essentially used the Spider/Veloce/Graduate design from about 1965 to 2010 with only minor updating. The only basic design that I can think that lasted as long are the Porsche 911 variants and the Checker Marathon variants.

[tuf-luf]

Excellent list. It's also amazing from that list that many of the Fiats, Alfas, Peugeot and Jaguars just kept their Pinninfarina designs for years and decades.

Alfa and Fiat used that Pinninfarina design about twenty years, the Alfa cabriolet essentially used the Spider/Veloce/Graduate design from about 1965 to 2010 with only minor updating. The only basic design that I can think that lasted as long are the Porsche 911 variants and the Checker Marathon variants.

Land Rover maybe? Toyota Land Cruiser lasted pretty long also. VW Bug also.

[punter]

Excellent list. It's also amazing from that list that many of the Fiats, Alfas, Peugeot and Jaguars just kept their Pinninfarina designs for years and decades.

Alfa and Fiat used that Pinninfarina design about twenty years, the Alfa cabriolet essentially used the Spider/Veloce/Graduate design from about 1965 to 2010 with only minor updating. The only basic design that I can think that lasted as long are the Porsche 911 variants and the Checker Marathon variants.

Land Rover maybe? Toyota Land Cruiser lasted pretty long also. VW Bug also.

You could add Mini too with its resurrection. And then you have the Lotus Super 7 with the Caterham and other kit car variants.

[HobieAnarchy]

I'm driving one of his later designs . . .



I've had people thank me for letting them watch the roof go up / down. It's pretty frikin' slick.

[R Booth]

I'm driving one of his later designs . . .



I've had people thank me for letting them watch the roof go up / down. It's pretty frikin' slick.

Why are you driving your gay sister's car?...

[Snaggletooth]

I'm driving one of his later designs . . .



I've had people thank me for letting them watch the roof go up / down. It's pretty frikin' slick.

Why are you driving your gay sister's car?...

Herr bieng lesbiate hase nuthing do witthe coole carr!

[Heavy Metal]

I'm driving one of his later designs . . .



I've had people thank me for letting them watch the roof go up / down. It's pretty frikin' slick.

Why are you driving your gay sister's car?...

I was thinkin it, you had to say it. NTTAWWT

Ive had a few Alfas in my day, it was a shame the earlier ones didnt come with a brush and shovel to clean up the rust flakes left on the driveway each time it was used.

Funnily enough, the new Italian girlfriend reminds me of some of my old Alfas - when they are operating well, they are an absolute delight to watch and handle, but when they break down, and they will, its going to be costly and frustrating

[R Booth]

You can never, ever, be a true Alfa owner until you've owned at least one that is postive grounded.....

[tuf-luf]

Funny how Alfas stopped rusting out when they moved from their seaside mfg-ing facility to Fiat's N Italy facilities (post-Fiat takeover).

My Alfa 155 twinspark never rusted. Loved that black beast :-)


Not mine...but oddly enuf, google spat out a pic w Malaysian plates

[Heavy Metal]

Funny how Alfas stopped rusting out when they moved from their seaside mfg-ing facility to Fiat's N Italy facilities (post-Fiat takeover).

My Alfa 155 twinspark never rusted. Loved that black beast :-)


Not mine...but oddly enuf, google spat out a pic w Malaysian plates

The 155 was awesome when it first came out, real wedge look. I had a 156 V6 Monza 6 speed manual, black with red leather interior. Absolutely loved that car, so much fun to drive and look at
I think it was only the "suds" that had the rust issues - sud being the south manufacturered alfas?

[tuf-luf]

Funny how Alfas stopped rusting out when they moved from their seaside mfg-ing facility to Fiat's N Italy facilities (post-Fiat takeover).

My Alfa 155 twinspark never rusted. Loved that black beast :-)


Not mine...but oddly enuf, google spat out a pic w Malaysian plates

The 155 was awesome when it first came out, real wedge look. I had a 156 V6 Monza 6 speed manual, black with red leather interior. Absolutely loved that car, so much fun to drive and look at
I think it was only the "suds" that had the rust issues - sud being the south manufacturered alfas?

They made for awesome touring cars on the track too. Love the ground effects on this badboy!

[punter]

Funny how Alfas stopped rusting out when they moved from their seaside mfg-ing facility to Fiat's N Italy facilities (post-Fiat takeover).

My Alfa 155 twinspark never rusted. Loved that black beast :-)


Not mine...but oddly enuf, google spat out a pic w Malaysian plates

The 155 was awesome when it first came out, real wedge look. I had a 156 V6 Monza 6 speed manual, black with red leather interior. Absolutely loved that car, so much fun to drive and look at
I think it was only the "suds" that had the rust issues - sud being the south manufacturered alfas?

Rust in Alfas a thing of the past. Still got some electronic issues in the modern ones. Onto my 2nd one and every so often it has some melodrama, but you sort of expect that with Italian cars. But at least they look good!

[Silverbullet]

Dude, you have been in Singapore too long. Compared to some of the Eastern bloc cars, my little Pajero is a thing of beauty! I'm just wondering how much Miitsubishi payed Pininfarina to take on the job of giving an inexpensive Japanese 4 WD vehicle that Italian touch.

I think it looks great, he fixed up the rough edges, and that Mitsu is a proven off-road performer, the winningest Paris-Dakar rally vehicle in the history of the race. Screw the detractors, that's an all-around excellent vehicle.

And the legendary beauty of Polish women ...

Absolutely some of the prettiest women in the world! They are intelligent, well educated, hard working and cook and clean too. My wife has a PhD, 2 jobs and still insists on ironing my shirts. The only drawback is they are stubborn as hell but you can't have everything.

[soak_ed]

Dude, you have been in Singapore too long. Compared to some of the Eastern bloc cars, my little Pajero is a thing of beauty! I'm just wondering how much Miitsubishi payed Pininfarina to take on the job of giving an inexpensive Japanese 4 WD vehicle that Italian touch.

I think it looks great, he fixed up the rough edges, and that Mitsu is a proven off-road performer, the winningest Paris-Dakar rally vehicle in the history of the race. Screw the detractors, that's an all-around excellent vehicle.

And the legendary beauty of Polish women ...

Absolutely some of the prettiest women in the world! They are intelligent, well educated, hard working and cook and clean too. My wife has a PhD, 2 jobs and still insists on ironing my shirts. The only drawback is they are stubborn as hell but you can't have everything.

That's what I'm talking about!


I don't know if it is something in the water or what but the majority of Polish women are large breasted, and usually the rest of their body is well proportioned. If you are a breast man, come to Poland!

[HobieAnarchy]

I'm driving one of his later designs . . .



I've had people thank me for letting them watch the roof go up / down. It's pretty frikin' slick.

Why are you driving your gay sister's car?...

Because she has a lot of bi-curious girlfriends.

Silver is a gay color. Mine's a much more manly black. I also think it's the only one in North America with a trailer hitch.

[Anthonyvop]

Funny how Alfas stopped rusting out when they moved from their seaside mfg-ing facility to Fiat's N Italy facilities (post-Fiat takeover).

The rust problems for Fiat/Alfa/Lancias of the late 60's to the early 80's was directly attributable to the Italian Government's deal with the USSR forcing the companies to use Soviet made Steel in exchange for the Licensed manufacture of the Fiat 124.

[soak_ed]

I'm driving one of his later designs . . .



I've had people thank me for letting them watch the roof go up / down. It's pretty frikin' slick.

Why are you driving your gay sister's car?...

Because she has a lot of bi-curious girlfriends.

Silver is a gay color. Mine's a much more manly black. I also think it's the only one in North America with a trailer hitch.

So you didn't mind giving up your man card when you bought that Vulva?

[tuf-luf]

Funny how Alfas stopped rusting out when they moved from their seaside mfg-ing facility to Fiat's N Italy facilities (post-Fiat takeover).

The rust problems for Fiat/Alfa/Lancias of the late 60's to the early 80's was directly attributable to the Italian Government's deal with the USSR forcing the companies to use Soviet made Steel in exchange for the Licensed manufacture of the Fiat 124.

Prove it.

[mikewof]

Great Red Shark, bring back any memories?

Been in storage for about twenty years, but dry air, I bet it turns right over after I change the belts, hoses and battery

[Maclir]

My first car was a Farina design - an Australian built Austin Freeway shagging - I mean - station wagon. The down under version of the Austin Cambridge A60 - but with the beefier Aussie "Blue Streak" 2.4 litre 6 cylinder engine - with 80 (count them) horsepower. Not some wimpy 1.5 litre pissant 4 cylinder engine. I did get it up to 100 mph on the M5 south of Liverpool one time, and also heading from Cowra to my uncle's farm - pissed all over my cousins HR Holden.

Nice designed car.

[Anthonyvop]

Funny how Alfas stopped rusting out when they moved from their seaside mfg-ing facility to Fiat's N Italy facilities (post-Fiat takeover).

The rust problems for Fiat/Alfa/Lancias of the late 60's to the early 80's was directly attributable to the Italian Government's deal with the USSR forcing the companies to use Soviet made Steel in exchange for the Licensed manufacture of the Fiat 124.

Prove it.

OK

The former Soviet Union was good at building missiles, jet fighters, tanks and just any military machines, but building passengers cars for its people were never its strength. The 5-year plan in 1966 called for establishing a national car maker at a purpose-built city called Togliatti near the Volga River, about 800km east of Moscow. The factory would be known as Volga Automotive Plant, or in short AvtoVAZ. Substantial help was given by FIAT chairman Giovanni Agnelli II, one of the rare Western friends of the communist USSR. In exchange for cheap Soviet steel, FIAT helped designing the Togliatti plant and offered the blueprints of FIAT 124 to form the basis of the first Russian people's car, Zhiguli VAZ-2101. That car rolled off the production line in 1970.

AvtoVAZ

The original template for this genuine motoring icon was the 1966 Fiat 124, a car justly praised for its handling, comfort and versatility and notorious for its biodegradable coachwork. This last trait was due to a body made from steel sourced from the Soviet Union thanks to a deal negotiated by the Italian Communist Party between Fiat and AvtoVaz. In exchange for a large quantity of low-grade metal, Fiat would provide the expertise for the USSR to produce an up-to-date – and exportable – car.

http://www.telegraph...last-laugh.html




I know my Fiats and Lancias!

[mikewof]

Of course, cheap Russian steel is probably better than good European and American steel. I've had lots of rusty US made cars, but the '75 Fiat is totally rust free.

I'm continually amazed by the quality of Russian steel and machining. I had a USSR made electric razor from the early 80s, the plastic crumbled, the electrics sucked, just a piece of junk compared to a Norelco .... But the steel cutting blades inside were awesome, perfectly machined practically to gauge block smoothness, harder than engine steel, milled to precision with a gorgeous feather. Better than,U.S. milspec imo.

And that was for a cheap razor, cost $4. Scared me to think if how good their precision stuff was. I think us Yanks never really had the whole story with how advanced the Soviets were in certain areas.

[Anthonyvop]

Of course, cheap Russian steel is probably better than good European and American steel. I've had lots of rusty US made cars, but the '75 Fiat is totally rust free.

At one time I owned a 1972 Fiat Spider. In 1979 I was heading out of the US for a year so I parked it in my parents back yard. Prepped the motor for storage and covered it with a tarp.

A year later when I came back I opened the hood to give it a once over before starting I found that the engine had fallen out onto the ground. The frame had rusted so much the motor mount had pulled out talking the other rust weekend mount with it...Amazing.

Later on I owned a Lancia Scorpion which I had converted to the Euro Spec Beta Montecarlo model. It was a constant battle against rust. After 2 fenders and floor board plus tons of grinding, welding and bondo I finally gave up after rust took hold on the frame.

I know many a Fiat and Lancia owner. Your FIAT might be rust free but you are the exception not the rule.

[mikewof]

Of course, cheap Russian steel is probably better than good European and American steel. I've had lots of rusty US made cars, but the '75 Fiat is totally rust free.

At one time I owned a 1972 Fiat Spider. In 1979 I was heading out of the US for a year so I parked it in my parents back yard. Prepped the motor for storage and covered it with a tarp.

A year later when I came back I opened the hood to give it a once over before starting I found that the engine had fallen out onto the ground. The frame had rusted so much the motor mount had pulled out talking the other rust weekend mount with it...Amazing.

Later on I owned a Lancia Scorpion which I had converted to the Euro Spec Beta Montecarlo model. It was a constant battle against rust. After 2 fenders and floor board plus tons of grinding, welding and bondo I finally gave up after rust took hold on the frame.

I know many a Fiat and Lancia owner. Your FIAT might be rust free but you are the exception not the rule.

Maybe my Spider is made with that Russian steel?

Funny though, my impression of the bodywork is that it's similar to German cars, apparently with the Zinc undercoat. Were any 75 fiats made like that?

Your 72 was an 850, right? Mid engine, air cooled. Where were those made? Very pretty design but a friend had one that rusted pretty bad too. I suspect they solved the problem by 75.

[tuf-luf]

I know my Fiats and Lancias!

Cool! Thanks.

And I was always told by some older blokes who claim to know the history that is was Southern Italy climate (i.e. seaside) vs Northern Italy dryness (at the Fiat MFG facility) that made the difference. And it was always just crap Russian steel. Go figure.

[Anthonyvop]

I know my Fiats and Lancias!

Cool! Thanks.

And I was always told by some older blokes who claim to know the history that is was Southern Italy climate (i.e. seaside) vs Northern Italy dryness (at the Fiat MFG facility) that made the difference. And it was always just crap Russian steel. Go figure.

The Southern Italy issue was with the Alfasud which was a co-production of Alfa Romeo with the Government to bring industrial jobs to the south.

Before:



After:

[Anthonyvop]

Your 72 was an 850, right? Mid engine, air cooled. Where were those made? Very pretty design but a friend had one that rusted pretty bad too. I suspect they solved the problem by 75.

Nope 124 Spider. If I can find them I will scan some photos.

[tuf-luf]

2010 Pinifarina designed Spyder

[punter]

2010 Pinifarina designed Spyder

I believe will be in production, or version similar, in a few years. Alfa and Mazda working together on next mx-5. Does sound promising!

[tuf-luf]

2010 Pinifarina designed Spyder

I believe will be in production, or version similar, in a few years. Alfa and Mazda working together on next mx-5. Does sound promising!

Love the classic Alfa triangle grill face and the tapered curved windscreen...gorgeous!!

[Tucky]

2010 Pinifarina designed Spyder

A great example of the Master's work. Heritage pushed on. If they could just pass bumper testing

[Ramona]

I still own a 1970 Fiat 850 coupe that looks like it could have been a Pininfarina design but wasn't, its an in house design. The only car I ever bought new. Yes it has rust and I have cut and welded new bits in. Steel seems fine. The main problem with Fiats of this era is the company was always having problems with the workers when my car was built. Can not recall why they were always on strike but the paint work on these cars was sometimes very poor. Local agent was always handling partial repaints.

[R Booth]

2010 Pinifarina designed Spyder

I believe will be in production, or version similar, in a few years. Alfa and Mazda working together on next mx-5. Does sound promising!

Love the classic Alfa triangle grill face and the tapered curved windscreen...gorgeous!!

Here's a sister ride of my ex '57 Giulietta Spider (that wasn't even on that list you posted earlier---wth?), Tuffy. Loved this car....even the positive ground system......

[mikewof]

2010 Pinifarina designed Spyder

I believe will be in production, or version similar, in a few years. Alfa and Mazda working together on next mx-5. Does sound promising!

Love the classic Alfa triangle grill face and the tapered curved windscreen...gorgeous!!

Here's a sister ride of my ex '57 Giulietta Spider (that wasn't even on that list you posted earlier---wth?), Tuffy. Loved this car....even the positive ground system......

Amazing how similar they are, and how relatively fresh the over fifty year old Alpha looks. Timeless.

Gotta say, I'm partial to the older design.

[R Booth]

2010 Pinifarina designed Spyder

I believe will be in production, or version similar, in a few years. Alfa and Mazda working together on next mx-5. Does sound promising!

Love the classic Alfa triangle grill face and the tapered curved windscreen...gorgeous!!

Here's a sister ride of my ex '57 Giulietta Spider (that wasn't even on that list you posted earlier---wth?), Tuffy. Loved this car....even the positive ground system......

Amazing how similar they are, and how relatively fresh the over fifty year old Alpha looks. Timeless.

Gotta say, I'm partial to the older design.

I bought mine in '81 or so and about 6 months later I hooked up with one of the two earthquake retrofit companies here in Cali (one of just three or four hourly jobs I've ever had) as a construction super. Got to leave my tools at home for a change so I started driving this to work instead. My first project was retro-fitting an old theater on 3rd & Western, about an eighteen mile drive from my beach house. It was actually a pleasure going to & from the job site, top down, cruising thru the 'hood at 0600 and then back again after work in the late afternoon, just in time to do a couple of lines and hit the surf.


G-damn but I realllllllly miss the 80's. F'ng DEA....

[mikewof]

G-damn but I realllllllly miss the 80's. F'ng DEA....

The '80s were okay Boothy, but by the time they came around our paradise had already been destroyed, the drugs of the '80's were just there to help us forget about what we didn't get from the '50s.

Think about it ... you'd wake up, put on a white shirt and a tie, mound of bacon waiting for you on the table, kids and wife enjoyed your company and laughed at your jokes, then you got into your Buick, hit the office around 9:00, work until lunch, knock off for two martinis and a steak lunch, head back until 5:00, all the time, you're chain smoking at your desk, and nobody thinks a whit about you keeping a bottle of good Scotch in your bottom desk drawer.

Head home, roll through your front door, dog has your slippers, wife has another martini for you and maybe a bj, have another steak for dinner, maybe knock in the back nine on the course behind your house while your wife cleans up, kids still don't hate you, head home, procreate, smoke a cigar, repeat the next day, die of a dignified ticker failure while your brain is still sharp and your penguin still sturdy.

Anyone man who can think of a favorite decade did not live and breathe in the 1950s and early '60s.

[DickDastardly]

The Southern Italy issue was with the Alfasud which was a co-production of Alfa Romeo with the Government to bring industrial jobs to the south.

I once owned one of those. Handled like a roller skate on steroids, little 1.2 litre motor that revved out to 8000, huge fun. Nightmare to work on, non-existent handbrake working on inboard front discs and rusted faster than I could paint it. Vexing proposition. When I gutted it for a total respray I found a pack of Italian playing cards jammed between the back seat base and frame, left there by the assemblers as a supervisor came past no doubt.

[grabbler]

G-damn but I realllllllly miss the 80's. F'ng DEA....

The '80s were okay Boothy, but by the time they came around our paradise had already been destroyed, the drugs of the '80's were just there to help us forget about what we didn't get from the '50s.

Think about it ... you'd wake up, put on a white shirt and a tie, mound of bacon waiting for you on the table, kids and wife enjoyed your company and laughed at your jokes, then you got into your Buick, hit the office Haround 9:00, work until lunch, knock off for two martinis and a steak lunch, head back until 5:00, all the time, you're chain smoking at your desk, and nobody thinks a whit about you keeping a bottle of good Scotch in your bottom desk drawer.

Head home, roll through your front door, dog has your slippers, wife has another martini for you and maybe a bj, have another steak for dinner, maybe knock in the back nine on the course behind your house while your wife cleans up, kids still don't hate you, head home, procreate, smoke a cigar, repeat the next day, die of a dignified ticker failure while your brain is still sharp and your penguin still sturdy.

Anyone man who can think of a favorite decade did not live and breathe in the 1950s and early '60s.

Sounds like Mikey's had a heavy entertainment diet of "Mad Men" and "Leave It To Beaver" re-runs...