Great Small Fiats

by Phil Ward

Overview

Great Small Fiats is a tribute to some of the best small Fiats ever produced.

In deciding which models to include in this book, Phil Ward concentrated on three criteria - greatness, size and emotion. Where size is an easy parameter to qualify, greatness is more complicated because it is a combination of of both the manufacturer's and the public's opinion. A car that is highly regarded by the public may not have been a commercial success and vice versa. A truly great car is one that works well for both parties. Emotion may be considered to be an element of greatness in that the public's 'love' for a car is a fantastic benefit for a manufacturer and must be treasured. Fiat have made the mistake of 'improving' an icon on several occasions only to find that public opinion went against them. Fortunately Fiat has been magnanimous enough to respond by giving the car-buying public more of what it wants. As long as they continue to do so then Fiat's reputation as the world's greatest small car manufacturer is set to continue.

The author chose the Topolino as the starting point, as it fulfils all the criteria, and was the first Fiat built in the late 1930s to satisfy the Italian public's new-found desire for mobilisation. The old conventions of car production were turned upside down with the arrival of the 600 which revolutionised car production techniques and maximised on passenger space and performance at minimal cost. These principles continued via a succession of models which include the 500, 850, 126, 127 through to more recent models like the Cinquecento and Seicento.

Running in parallel with these "cheeky" Fiats, this book covers a range of slightly larger cars that were built in huge numbers. Though rather staid in appearance, the 1950s Millecento was family transport for millions of Italians covering three decades, four when the Indian-built cars are included. Similarly the 128, Panda and Uno were 'the' Italian small cars of the '70s, '80s and '90s. Nuova Panda carries the banner through to recent models.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781787113237
Publisher:	Veloce Publishing
Publication date:	08/07/2018
Pages:	176
Product dimensions:	8.10(w) x 9.70(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Trained as a photographer in the Royal Air Force, Phil Ward served for 20 years, mainly in aerial reconnaissance and combat photography. He then worked for eight years in the BBC as a film engineering manager at Ealing Studios. Author of several motoring books based on Fiats, Phil became editor of Italian Cars and Ferrari World magazines and later created Auto Italia Magazine, the world’s leading publication on Italian cars.

Table of Contents

Introduction     5
Foreword     6
Acknowledgements     6
Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino     7
Fiat Topolino     11
The Fiat 600     20
Fiat Millecento     31
Nuova 500     34
Fiat 850     47
Fiat 128     55
Fiat 127     61
Fiat 126     67
Fiat Panda     71
Fiat Uno     77
Cinquecento     86
The Fiat Seicento     101
Nuova Panda     113
The New Fiat 500     124
Autobianchi     127
Etceterini     136
Fiats under different flags     150
Technical specifications     158
Index     173

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

Australian Classic Car, November 2007
Australian magazine

I haven't visited Rome yet but I understand that its roads are choked gutter to gutter with Fiat 500s. It you love small Fiats but can't get to Rome, perhaps this book is for you. Ward starts with the origins of the Italian manufacturer before looking at the first Fiat Topolino released in 1936 and staying in production until well after WW2. Next was the famed 500 that brought the company to the notice of motorists worldwide. The many derivatives, including the Abarth versions, are shown, a reminder that the little car wasn't at all well-received when new, prompting Fiat to increase its power and improve trim levels. The 850 Sedan and Sports followed, then the 128, 127 and 126 at about the time when Fiat left the Australian market. That doesn't mean that Fiat hasn't been busy in Europe in the meantime. They produced the Panda, Uno and Polish built Cinquecento and Seicento, and everyone is pleased to see Fiat back on the Australian market.

The book looks closely at the Nueva 500 and recalls those Fiat-based marques Autobianchi, Siata and Moretti. There is also a chapter on the myriad tuners and coachbuilders that have used Fiat components in their vehicles. Very useful for European car enthusiasts.

Fleet Transport, December 2007
Irish magazine

Fiat is best known for its pedigree in designing and producing small, economical cars that are full of character. 'Great Small Fiats' written by Phil Ward is a delightful 176 page paperback chronicles all the small Fiats and other small cars based on Fiats. Trained as a photographer, Phil traces this concept from the birth of the 500A 'Topolino' in the 1930s up to the current Panda, right up to the newly crowned 'Car of the Year' Fiat 500.

The chapters include practical information on buying and running a small Fiat and restoration advice for the older cars.

The Automobile, January 2008

Reviewing more or less every Fiat model with at least one of the range being a liter or less, this starts with the Topolino and ends with the impending introduction of this year’s second generation Nuova 500. In between, that covers chonologically 600, Millecento, Nuova 500, 850, 128, 127, 126, Panda, Uno, Cinquecento, Seicento and Nuova Panda, as well as Autobianchis, Abarths, Polskis, Seats, Padminis, Zastavas and the products of the various specialists who used Fiats as their bases. With plenty of illustrations, this is a good reminder of the way Fiat responded to, or created, the Italian market’s desire for economy cars with a bit of sporting flair. There is a useful set of specifications of each model at the end.

totalkitcar.com, January 2008
UK website

Since Fiat Auto was founded in 1899, they’ve produced millions of vehicles. Many have frankly been uninspiring, but they have always had an ability to produce small, economical and character cars. Among their 'back catalogue' have been some fine machines.  This cracking book, from ace publishers Veloce, tracks this winning concept from the first of the breed, the 500A ‘Topolino’ in the thirties, right up to the brand new ‘Nuevo’ 500. Each of the carefully selected models is described in infinite detail from conception as a Fiat model, to current ownership in the hands of collectors and enthusiasts. There are chapters including practical information on buying and running a small Fiat and restoration advice for older cars. A nice touch is the inclusion of the interesting models built under license outside Italy and also the Fiat-devised ‘etceterini’ coach built and competition cars.  A charming and recommended book.

"With 170 information and image-filled pages, this softcover is a great resource for lovers of the brand." – Hemmings Sports & Exotic

Editorial Reviews

Australian Classic Car, November 2007
Australian magazine

I haven't visited Rome yet but I understand that its roads are choked gutter to gutter with Fiat 500s. It you love small Fiats but can't get to Rome, perhaps this book is for you. Ward starts with the origins of the Italian manufacturer before looking at the first Fiat Topolino released in 1936 and staying in production until well after WW2. Next was the famed 500 that brought the company to the notice of motorists worldwide. The many derivatives, including the Abarth versions, are shown, a reminder that the little car wasn't at all well-received when new, prompting Fiat to increase its power and improve trim levels. The 850 Sedan and Sports followed, then the 128, 127 and 126 at about the time when Fiat left the Australian market. That doesn't mean that Fiat hasn't been busy in Europe in the meantime. They produced the Panda, Uno and Polish built Cinquecento and Seicento, and everyone is pleased to see Fiat back on the Australian market.

The book looks closely at the Nueva 500 and recalls those Fiat-based marques Autobianchi, Siata and Moretti. There is also a chapter on the myriad tuners and coachbuilders that have used Fiat components in their vehicles. Very useful for European car enthusiasts.

Fleet Transport, December 2007
Irish magazine

Fiat is best known for its pedigree in designing and producing small, economical cars that are full of character. 'Great Small Fiats' written by Phil Ward is a delightful 176 page paperback chronicles all the small Fiats and other small cars based on Fiats. Trained as a photographer, Phil traces this concept from the birth of the 500A 'Topolino' in the 1930s up to the current Panda, right up to the newly crowned 'Car of the Year' Fiat 500.

The chapters include practical information on buying and running a small Fiat and restoration advice for the older cars.

The Automobile, January 2008

Reviewing more or less every Fiat model with at least one of the range being a liter or less, this starts with the Topolino and ends with the impending introduction of this year’s second generation Nuova 500. In between, that covers chonologically 600, Millecento, Nuova 500, 850, 128, 127, 126, Panda, Uno, Cinquecento, Seicento and Nuova Panda, as well as Autobianchis, Abarths, Polskis, Seats, Padminis, Zastavas and the products of the various specialists who used Fiats as their bases. With plenty of illustrations, this is a good reminder of the way Fiat responded to, or created, the Italian market’s desire for economy cars with a bit of sporting flair. There is a useful set of specifications of each model at the end.

totalkitcar.com, January 2008
UK website

Since Fiat Auto was founded in 1899, they’ve produced millions of vehicles. Many have frankly been uninspiring, but they have always had an ability to produce small, economical and character cars. Among their 'back catalogue' have been some fine machines.  This cracking book, from ace publishers Veloce, tracks this winning concept from the first of the breed, the 500A ‘Topolino’ in the thirties, right up to the brand new ‘Nuevo’ 500. Each of the carefully selected models is described in infinite detail from conception as a Fiat model, to current ownership in the hands of collectors and enthusiasts. There are chapters including practical information on buying and running a small Fiat and restoration advice for older cars. A nice touch is the inclusion of the interesting models built under license outside Italy and also the Fiat-devised ‘etceterini’ coach built and competition cars.  A charming and recommended book.

"With 170 information and image-filled pages, this softcover is a great resource for lovers of the brand." – Hemmings Sports & Exotic

From the Publisher