Kev's Talking Point

George Clooney - Fiat Car commercial

2009-11-21T08:19:00.001Z

I hired one these on my last visit to Sicily and loved it. I want one

Regards .... Kevin

The official new Fiat 500 video!

2009-11-21T07:58:00.001Z

I love this. I want one

Regards ... Kevin

2008-07-01T16:00:00.008+01:00

UNO

One of my favourite Fiat's was the Uno. 5 million Uno's ran off the production lines in Italy. It was the baby of designer Giorgetto Giugiaro.

It was way back in January 1980 that a six man team sat around a table to discuss a brief for a new small car. Code name 146. Little did they know that this car would become the most successful car in the history of Fiat.

They were charged with the task of coming up with a replacement for the successful Fiat 127. Fiat knew that this was a critical stage in their history and that they needed to come up with a design that was chic and innovative. Giugiaro had already been given the responsibility for the functional and friendly Fiat Panda. The powers at Fiat now entrusted him with the bigger model.

Giugiaro had contributed to the design of long, low sleek fashionable cars but it was time for a change. He now saw the need to climb into a car. Giugiaro had been working on the Lancia Tipo 1 to replace the Autobiachi A112. The Lancia took the basic design of the Panda but made it rounder and softer. Lancia would not be able to produce this car in numbers but it was the starting point that would lead to the creation of the Uno.

The six men knew they had to bring it to the market quickly before sales of the 127 slumped.. They had a staggering Cd target of less than 0.35. Italdesign made a 1:1 polystyrene mock-up model with one door on one side and two on the other.

Giugiaro wanted to use integral doors that would eliminate drip channels. Bracco said that it was impossible to build in mass production. He was told that the Japanese were already doing it. Agnelli told Bracco that Fiat must have it if the Japanese can do it. Bracco couldn't sleep all weekend but came up with a solution.
February 21st, 1980, the polystyrene model was tested in the wind tunnel at Fiat's Turin Research centre. It was a winner and plaster models were built which could be fitted with bodywork trim, lights, door handles, wipers, door mirrors so that it looked like a real car. By May 1980 the model was 'frozen'. The only change from then was one requested by Fiat to raise the bottom of the windscreen by 0.6 inches to solve a technical problem with the windscreen wiper.

The Uno became the yardstick amongst smaller cars beating Peugeot's 205 in the 1984 Car of the Year competition. Fiat wanted to sell 450,000 Uno a year but by March 1985 had sold over 1 million. By October 1986 they had topped 2 million and by March 1988, 3 million and 5 million by 1991. No Italian car has been so well accepted. The Japanese magazine, Car Styling called it a masterpiece.

It was trendy, stylish, versatile.

Giugiaro was not invited to the world release of the Uno in Orlando, Florida because too much attention would have gone on the designer and not the car. Later, IDEA were to give the Uno a facelift in line with their own design, the Tipo.

It has also proved to be one of my favourite models and has a special place in my heart.

Fiat 500 Introduction in 1957

2008-05-21T06:55:00.001+01:00

This one of my favourite Fiat's. Although I never owned one I did see one at our local auctions in the early 80's for £2. No one wanted them then, but it's a different story now.

Fiat Regata UK TV Ad 80's

2008-03-18T20:07:00.001Z

I've had a few of these and one in gold too - same as advert. I Went all the way to Italy in a 1500 that cost me £80. Climbing up through Switzerland to get to the Gottard Pass the temperature was rising. So, heater on full and windows down we made it and cruised all the way down into Italy. Fun days

Fiat Ad - Funny Ending

2008-03-18T20:04:00.001Z

Guy goes into showroom to look at a Fiat Punto - only 30 secs long .... enjoy

FIAT STRADA RITMO COMMERCIAL USA

2008-01-20T18:08:00.001Z

One of my favourite models was the Fiat Strada and this is an advertisement from the States in the 80's ... you'll enjoy it

FiaT 126 BiS slayt

2008-01-20T08:06:00.001Z

These are a bit different. Only once have I ever got into a Fiat 126 and it took a tin opener to get me out. Never again.

Fiat Bravo 2007 - with music

2007-10-03T15:25:00.001+01:00

This is the new wonderful Fiat Bravo....WOW!

FIAT Ritmo - Commercial

2007-04-27T06:54:00.001+01:00

This is the famous TV commercial used by FIAT to show off the latest Strada or Ritmo as it was called through Europe.
It was one of my favourite cars as it was cheap to buy, roomy, bags of boot space and was economical
Regards - Kevin

2007-01-17T23:14:00.000Z

How about this little beauty? The car is good as well!!

I've had to test my Fiat Punto Mk1 this week, failed of course. Needed a front strut, a couple of brake pipes and a bolt was missing from the rear anti roll bar. Cost me £110 + VAT for the parts and labour. Thought it was a good deal really.
Anyway, I'm back on the road, iand it's that what matters.
I drove across France in the Punto in September. All the way down to Chambery. Too far for me. I remember the days when I would drive all the way down to Italy from our house in Chesterfield with two stops. So, this time I thought I would try three stops. Couldn't do it and the last leg to Turin was cancelled and I made my way back via Dijon and Arras.
Dijon was hot at 37 degrees and I finally arrived at Arras in the north. the air was much fresher and i fell in love with the town. It's huge square filled with bars and restaurants was perfect.
We drove out to the World War 1 battle fields and Sheffield Memorial Park just outside the village of Serre and I really enjoyed the occaison. Called in at Ulster Tower too and then went on to Theipval but didn't get chance to go into the exhibition room.
You must try it.
That's all folks
Warmest regards - Kevin - Wednesdayite

2006-12-13T16:12:00.000Z

Big Welcome from Kev

How about these little beauties? A shrunken Fiat 126. Must have put some hours into it. I love it.
Looked at another good Fiat blog today - just click HERE if you want a gander . It's called Scurvey Dogs and it's about the Plymouth to Banjul (Gambia) run. Paris to dakar for the snobs and Plymouth to Banjul Challenge with a car costing less than £100. Idiot or what? My kinda bloke or gal for that matter.
If you want to know more about the Rally and fancy a go yourself then click HERE
Keep up the good work

Regards - Kevin - My own blog is at http://kevstones.blogspt.com

2006-11-17T21:23:00.000Z

I've been a fan of FIAT Motor cars for some years now. In fact I have owned over 300 of the little beauties.

It all stated back in the 70's when Ford escorts and Hillman Avengers reigned supreme. Nobody seemed to want second hand FIAT's so they were going really cheap down at the local car auctions.

My first Fiat was a Mirafiori CL 1300cc, but what a mover! For my £70 I got a car with 5 speed gearbox, carpets, cloth seats when Escort and Avenger owners had plastic seats, plastic carpets and 4 speed box. What luxury I thought. Since then I have bought nothing else.

I purchase a Fiat Strada for £100 from around the back of the local Fiat dealer - put some test and tax on it and serviced it then went all the way to Italy in it. it didn't miss a beat. Fantastic.

I recommend them - go on, you know you want one.

2006-01-10T12:41:00.000Z

Stand up and be counted

A "full-court" marketer is a serious marketer making full use of all the advertising opportunities around him.
traffic is vital - the life blood of your business - Your starting point is to join Traffic hoopla, it's free - JOIN /CLICK HERE
Then join and use all of the top ranked Hit Exchanges and Safelists on a daily/weekly basis.
Promote both your business and your TrafficHoopla website. The goal is to build a large downline in TrafficHoopla that will spread amongst all of the top ranked programs, that will multiple over and over again producing residual traffic.
Your focus. Most critical thinking! Focus a minimum of 65% of your advertising on traffic building. If just getting started, focus 75% to 100% on traffic building. I know it may seem strange, but traffic building is that important. Successful marketers maintain this type of focus as long as their business exists.
Do you realize that most Internet marketers will never achieve success? They'll dream about it. They'll talk about it. But most of them won't possess it. And that's a shame. Why is that? Because most marketers have a strong focus on making money while neglecting traffic building.
Helping Others. If there is one secret to my online success it is that I help others without regard to my benefit. It is essential to build a large following in this business. However, it is worthless without trust and people looking to you for assistance.
Execution. Organization is great. Having the right resources is important. But unless you consistently work hard, day in and day out, you will not succeed.
That's all for this week folks - here's that link again - Click Here
Be good but enjoy yourself - regards from Kevin aka "wednesdayite"

2006-01-02T15:05:00.000Z

How was the holidays?

Hope you have survived. 2006 affords you the opportunity to make this the year that you realise the dream.
Your number one priority is traffic - no traffic equals no business. Certainly during your first year to eighteen months you need to concentrate at least 65% of your efforts if not 100% towards traffic building.
I use Traffic hoopla. Professional and there are various packages to suit your pocket. Here's the link - CLICK HERE - there's help along the way.
Whatever - keep your chins up and behave yourself.
I'll be back - regards - Kevin Stones aka "wednesdayite"

2005-12-27T22:25:00.000Z

This is Kevin Stones aka "wednesdayite" - Sheffield born and bred - a Yorkshire lad
50 this coming year but keep it quiet.
Married to Janet for 30 years - 2 kids, Michelle (28) and Mark (24)

Listened to a tape from a chap called Randy Gage, one of our American cousins. I thought it was interesting and thought I would share with you some points that touched me.

He said if you don't have a dream then you'll not make it. Have you given up on your dream? Most of what he said though surrounded material riches and although I would rather be rich and miserable than poor and miserable, material things are not a big motivator for me.

I read an article from a guy called Steven Covey who asked the question, what if at your funeral you were conscious for just a few minutes. A family member got up then someone from work and then a neighbour and finally someone from your Church to say something about you for 2 minutes each. What would you like them to say about you? It has nothing to do about what you have but about what you ARE.

Randy was right though, are you willing to give your dream one more try? Are you willing to get into the frame of mind to make the changes inside and make a committment to yourself? Do you believe you are worthy of your dreams?

There was a lot more to what he said but I've lost the sheet of paper i wrote on. I think the wife has used it for her shopping list. Typical.

He made me think anyway. I've settled for far too little in life, although I am proud of my family and my achievements. I am surrounded with good friends. I am 18 inside although the outside is falling to bits.

I'll be back though

warm regards - Kevin