Andiamo! | Citalia Magazine Autumn 2021

PIEDMONT
FIAT
There’s one punky car that absolutely dominates Italy’s automotive
industry today - and that’s Fiat.
Fiat first came onto the scene in 1899 in Turin, the capital of Piedmont,
when an Italian entrepreneur founded Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino
(FIAT) - the Italian Automobile Factory of Turin.
Fiat proceeded to become the bestselling car across Europe for the next
100 years. The brand became the forefather of economy cars in 1936
when the first Fiat 500 was born - the A Topolino, which translates as
little mouse and is the Italian name for Disney’s Mickey Mouse.
From the 1920s until the late 1970s, the original Fiat Lingotto Factory in
Turin employed thousands of workers and still stands in Turin today as
an entertainment complex. It also boasts a three-quarter mile test track
on its rooftop, which was made famous by the 1969 film, The Italian Job,
featuring Michael Caine. Plans are underway to convert the track into a
hanging garden.
LOMBARDY
ALFA ROMEO
While most young Italian car aficionados had their hearts set on the Ferrari,
the more affordable motor was naturally, the trustworthy Alfa Romeo.
Founded in Milan in 1910, the brand successfully took part in endurance
races, Grand Prixs and Formula One. The brand’s logo is the Visconti
serpent, a heraldic symbol of Milan’s medieval noble family.
What made Alfa Romeo stand out and continues to do so to this day is its
iconic trilobe front and clear aerodynamically designed lines. Unlike many
brands, Alfa Romeo’s models over the last century have never added in
design details just for the sake of it.
You can witness a historic collection of models and learn about the brand’s
history on a private tour of the Museo Storico Alfa Romeo, located in the
town of Arese, near Milan, which also houses a café.
ELSEWHERE IN ITALY...
All across Italy, you’ll find automobile museums honouring Italy’s rich
contribution. In Verona, the Museo Nicolis has an epic collection of
Formula One race cars and motorbikes, including Fiat’s regal 1929 model,
the Isotta Fraschini.
To uncover more of Fiat’s history, head to the Centro Storico Fiat Museum,
which is located in a gorgeous Art Nouveau building and boasts a selection
of not only Fiat’s legendary automobiles, but also other items the company
produced, from war technology and ship engines to aeroplanes, tractors
and even washing machines!
Turin is also home to two other esteemed and historic Italian car brands,
Lancia and Abarth.
Why not let Citalia help you create a unique Italian automobile lovers holiday?
Speak to one of our Personal Travel Planners on 01293 765061
Summer/Autumn 2021
Andiamo!