
3 minute read
Car Badge of the Month: FIAT
Car Badge of the Month: FIATby George Holliday
Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino - FIAT
The Badge
From the early 20th to the early 21st century, when the most recent redesign was carried out, FIAT has over 25 logos on the bonnets of its cars, and the logos above
are the most well-known. In general, the emblems were very similar to each other and were grouped by year. From 1921 to 1931, the badge was oval, until 1968 it was vertical rectangular, until 2003 it was oblique, and then the round logo alternated with the text. Currently, the emblem contains only an inscription – a red name on a white background.
Brief History
Fiat’s story begins in 1900 when Italian entrepreneur Giovanni Agnelli opened the first Fiat factory in Turin, Italy. Agnelli founded the car company with a group of local investors, calling their newest venture Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino (FIAT), or Italian Automobile Factory of Turin. Their first factory was quite small, employing only 150 people on a daily basis. However, the tiny automaker proved successful in its home country, which cleared the way for Agnelli to establish the first Fiat factory in the U.S. in 1908. Fiat remained one of the best-selling cars in Europe for the next 100 years, especially in its native Italy. It survived Mussolini’s reign during WWII, developing new, innovative technology that ventured out into railways, commercial trucks, and even airplanes. After the war, Fiat looked to expand its offerings to the U.S. once more, rebuilding many of its former operations in the States. Fiat Group currently produces vehicles under twelve brands: Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Dodge, Ferrari, Fiat, Fiat Professional, Jeep, Lancia, Maserati, Ram Trucks, and SRT. In 1970, Fiat employed more than 100,000 workers in Italy when its production reached the highest number of 1.4 million cars in that country. The European Car of the Year award was awarded to the Fiat Group twelve times over the last forty years, more than any other manufacturer. Fiat Automobiles models won nine of these awards.
Fiat models awarded the title:
• 1967: Fiat 124 • 1970: Fiat 128 • 1972: Fiat 127 • 1984: Fiat Uno
• 1989: Fiat Tipo • 1995: Fiat Punto • 1996: Fiat Bravo/Brava • 2004: Fiat Panda • 2008: Fiat 500[52] Fiat Chrysler Automotive is currently the seventh-largest car brand in the world. Fiat is also manufactured in other parts of the world, including Brazil, Argentina, Turkey, India, China, Serbia, Japan, France, Mexico, and Thailand.
By George

INVITES YOU TO

photo: proshotz photography
DEsI t Refer: www.targa.nz for details Contact: Rod Corbett rod.corbett88@gmail.com 027 433 8772 Join us for the drive of a lifetime! 13 - 18 C to B e R 2020 t he ultimate ime tR ial 2020 Please join us for the drive of a lifetime! Not a race, but an exercise in precise driving and time keeping to maintain a set average speed through all closed tarmac stages. Discount entry fee available for VCC members in VCC/VIC eligible, road-legal cars. No special car mods (roll cage etc), required. Refer to www.targa.nz for details Contact: Rod Corbett rod.corbett88@gmail 027 433 8772 Not a race, but a test of precise driving and time keeping. No special car mods (roll cage etc), required. o Inaugural event - Nelson and Tasman Districts First time ever to the Upper South Island Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th October, 2022 (Scrutineering, Documentation and Briefing Friday 28th October) gN: Nz CLassIC DrIVEr

Photo : Proshotz Photography