Fiat’s bold heritage
> VIA EMAIL
A long time ago, when I was young, Fiat made some really interesting if slightly wacky cars – models like the Barchetta and Multipla. Nuts to market research and consumer opinion clinics. They didn’t try to recreate the past but were focused on fresh, sometimes controversial designs.
But the Fiat that left me dumbfounded was the Coupe, introduced in 1992. From the organic form of its front lights, via the slashes through its wheelarches, its hidden door handles and its alloy iller cap to its cut-o tail with stacked rear lights, it made me ache with desire.
I had my nose glued to the local Fiat showroom window as soon as rumours of the arrival of the irst Coupe demonstrator started. It was gorgeous. I’d just turned 30, was planning a family and needed a practical car. Well, it had four seats, a boot and a lip-down rear seat – done deal. Apparently not, according to my wife, and a Bravo hatchback was prescribed.
I did eventually get one. In fact I still have one. And I love it. It really gets to me that no one seems to remember this wonderful, beautiful and distinctive car. But when they see it, lots of people still seem to fall under its spell.