by Antonio Erario
Friday, November 28: We are at the top of the Ingot for the launch of the 500 Ibrida which is produced right here, in the Piedmontese capital. Oh my, how cold it is this morning... but what a beautiful sun and what a view from here: you can see the snow-capped Alps and all of Turin. I'm with my partner Alberto Lo Gioco and we park our historic twin-cylinder bikes in front of the Pinacoteca Agnelli. We enter “Casa 500”, where Fiat celebrates its history.
The launch of the brand new version of the 500 Hybrid sees us involved as Fiat 500 Club Italia, providing support to today's guests: the influencers!
Meanwhile, the President arrives unexpectedly. John Elkann who smilingly says to his wife: “Look how beautiful those vintage 500s are!”
The introduction is up to Robert Giolito, Head of Stellantis Heritage, who tells the story of the Lingotto plant's birth, the history of Fiat and some iconic cars including the 57 New 500. Next to us we can admire the wooden mask of the twin-cylinder, as well as many photos and videos of Fiat. The word passes to Michele Longo, Fiat's chief interior designer, who meticulously describes the interior of the new version. Meanwhile, Giolito presents the Fiat 500 Club Italia to influencers, who, upon their outing on the track, begin producing videos and social media content.
We take them for a ride on the track with our classic cars, telling them about our cars and our partnership. Among the guests is the great singer. Emma Brown, who tells us that her grandmother had a Fiat 500 like ours. It's truly a privilege for us to be here representing the Fiat 500 Club Italia: at the end of the event, they even let us test drive the two 500 Hybrids, yellow like the sun that accompanied us.
We make the hairpin bends of the Lingotto happy and aware of having brought the message of the 500 to all the kids: simplicity, happiness and friendliness!
I would like to thank Alberto Lo Gioco for making his 1974 500 R available.
