I will always remember my first car. It was suweeet and afforded me luxuries beyond mere transportation! (No worries…. there will be no TMI, X- rated shares in this forum; at least not today. But, if you would like to be inspired and remember your 'glory' years, check out Fiat's latest commercial..... not too much imagination required on this one! cleaning_dads_car_after_date.wmv (2.29 mb) ).
The year was 1984. For those of us on the planet, it was a smoking year. I was getting ready to move out of my parent’s home –with my collar turned up and my groovatron ‘mullet’ hairstyle. Be clear, I thought I was looking good. Mmmmm.
I needed independence. I needed wheels. Simply put, living at home cramps the style and ‘success rate’ of a 23 year old. I called my Grandmother in North Dakota, and like a champion, G sent me hard cash. I purchased from my sister's old beau a matchbox-sized turquoise colored Fred Flintstone Fiat. (For their current global line-up visit <http://www.fiat.com> ).
Alas, I was free.
Some technical problems didn’t slow me down. The heater for starters. No matter how many trips to the mechanic, the heat simply didn’t work. The radio and speakers provided no sound or tunes. No worries for a resourceful girl like me – I had my battery powered cassette deck and would jam to Peter Gabriel, Flock of Seagulls & Tears for Fears on my travels. Freedom didn’t last long. My Fiats’ rear axle broke in half in 1985 driving on Freeport Road in Fox Chapel. Within a decade, the Fiat brand was no longer sold in the Unites States.
So, it warms the cockle of my heart to know that my ‘first’ will once gain be coming back. Something Old, Something New. Like a vengeance, Fiat of Italy may be roaring back into the States as they are looking at purchasing 35% controlling interest in Chrysler LLC. Welcome back, old friend.
Drive Your Bargain,
Anne
www.twitter.com/annefleming
