Fiat 500 — mug

Fiat 500 ceramic mug

Mug capacity: 330 ml

Fiat 500

The Fiat 500, which first appeared on the Italian market in 1957, is a prime example of a city car whose small size allowed it to be parked in even the narrowest alleyways, undoubtedly eliciting many sighs of relief from residents of Rome or Florence. The name of the Italian "little one" refers to the displacement (500) of its two-cylinder engine, whose power was increased from 13.5 hp to 15 hp after the first three months of production. The Cinquecento, thanks to its functionality, quickly gained popularity throughout Europe, and its reputation in its home country soon earned it the title of the car that motorized Italy, comparing its role to that attributed to the Volkswagen Beetle in Germany.

The Fiat 500, especially in a vibrant red color reminiscent of the full lips of beautiful Italian women smeared with hot arrabbiata sauce, is an extremely elegant and practical means of transport. In addition to its technical advantages, it is also worth noting its neat design - its rounded lines that prevent a visual impression of heaviness, minimalist leather seats, an elegant interior and gauges that almost give the impression of femininity; besides, silver trim on the outside, and - something unheard of today - suicide doors.

Production of the aforementioned Fiat 500 ended in 1975. In 2017, the sixtieth anniversary of its creation was celebrated, for which an exhibition was organized at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. The car was awarded the Corporate Art award at a gala in the Quirinal Palace in Rome, overseen by the President of Italy, Sergio Mattarella. The person who was certainly missing from the Roman gala was the designer of the Fiat 500, Dante Giacosa, who passed away in 1996.

The drawing is by Wrocław artist Paweł Grabowski.