The Old Dog Explores: This Mouse Ain't No Rodent!
What I used to think looked silly now looks way COOL! It hasn't changed so I must have!
When I was a young man and I saw the Fiat 500 (nicknamed "Topolino", which translates in English as "Little Mouse") in European films I thought that they looked embarrassingly silly!
Who would ever be caught driving that little piece of........ I thought. After all, in North America we've got our mammoth, 8 cylinder, gas guzzling, cruise machines. Bigger is better and that little Topolino is nothing other than a ridiculous toy!
Fast forward almost 50 years and I wouldn't mind having one of them!
This guy pulled up in the piazza to display his prized little mouse just as we were enjoying dining by the Lake Como.
Was It The Ambiance That Made Me Desire That Car? I Wondered!
How did this car go from being a piece of ........ in my mind to being a highly desirable collectible? Was it just the atmosphere of a beautiful summer evening in the gorgeous village of Cernobbio?
This was our view from the outdoor restaurant as the sun set. This quaint village, about 15 minutes from our home is near both the city of Como and the famous town of Belaggio!
We got lucky to get these seats without a reservation on such a beautiful Friday evening!
In such as spectacular setting would just about anything look good?
The History of The Fiat 500. Lovingly Known as Topolino (Little Mouse)
- It was produced by Fiat between 1936 and 1955 and was one of the smallest cars in the world.
- It was powered by 569 cc straight side valve engine.
- The engine has 13 bhp and a top speed of about 85 kph (53 mph)
- It was highly successful in both pre and post war with nearly 520,000 sold!
- This tiny 3.2 m long car has an amazing amount of interior space and exceptional all round vision!
Here Are A Few More Shots of This Little Beauty!
Can you see that the rag top has been folded back? Do you notice the suicide doors?
I love the leather bucket seats. To see some studio shots of this car check it here!
So what do you think? Was it just the ambiance that had me smitten with this little car! No! It's a cute, little, fun, funky car! I think that it's way cool and I'd love to buzz around the little towns in my area in it. I'd have a blast!
What About You?
- Are there items that you used to think were sill that now seem cool?
- Are there any antique cars that you'd like to drive?
- Does the setting often change your perception of what is beautiful or cool?
- What was your first ever car?
I hope that you enjoyed this article about a "Mouse That Ain't no Rodent!"
Until next time,
@kus-knee (The Old Dog)
Tell ya what Old Dog....you wanna get one of those mousies for your next anniversary...I'll come buzz in' around the town with ya...deal?...
Haha maybe we'll try and rent one for the day!
that mouse is very very cute!
haha funny reading you two's comment here :)
gives me an idea what its like at home :)
a blast!
Thanks for the nice comment. Sorry I missed your last few posts and so glad you're doing well!
You're not alone. There must really be something to specific aesthetics that only begin to appeal to men after a certain age, because I know several dudes around 40-50 who now own Fiats. There's clubs for it on FB and everything.
Personally it's got to be futuristic and electric in my book. I'll have one foot in the future until the day they finally throw dirt on me.
Thanks for the image of one of your "dream cars". That one looks like it's got the wind resistance all figure out!
In fact, I wrote an article lamenting the fact that we're in 2017, yet cars don't look like it. I want to live in the scifi future, damnit.
86 Plymouth Horizon was my 1st car ever..........and my 2nd.
Wow, thanks for sharing. Do you still have affection for it?
I have no desire to ever see that car again, lol. I also had my 1st wreck in that car.
Lovely car will drive it any time!
It is lovely and probably quite a bit of fun.
I am sure
It never ceases to amaze me how 'Old Cars' that in their day people ridiculed today become iconic.
I'm more jealous of you eating by Lake Como tbh. :-D
It is amazing. Talk show host! Wow!
Meh, it's easy. We started out with a mobile phone, I kid you not. LOL
Ohh wimens and cars.... i guess is a red one ...!?!
I think that we need a pink one for you!
Red is just fine , no matter year , but the size is importnant !
Once Steem goes up to $10.00 I'll put one in a box and send it to you!
Ha ha when steem go to 100 i will buy me one red here :) One you cannot put in a box !
I would also love one of those, I think they were so bad that most of them rusted away, and now they are very scarce!! Short supply and high demand increased their value!
In South Africa do you have completely different cars? I know that you posted a lot about antique vehicles and many were unfamiliar to me.
Hi @kus-knee, I would say we have all the normal makes from Germany, France, Japan, USA, Britain, Italy and the more popular Korean and Chinese vehicles.
Lovely Car my friend, though it became lovely for you later! I have no interest in driving any antique cars as I am not a car lover, @nba05 is. For me a car is good enough to commute (any car that runs good and reliable). My First Car was Honda Civic 2002.
Yes, I was never a "piston head" as we used to call car lovers back in the day. I'm pretty well an A to B man myself but at my age I want it to have air conditioning!
"Piston Head", new word for me! Yes, a car should have an AC.
I like when you share photos thank you for this positive
Thanks for your visit!
you welcome sir
Wow!! I never knew people still drive those type of cars anymore.
I would love to drive a 1950's Dodge Challenger!!
Yes, a little spin in muscle car wouldn't be bad. When I was a teenager I got to cruise around Toronto in one of these:
Wow lucky!!!