April 30, 2003

Yes, we do get letters, but most of the time we don’t have the space to run them. The BAT 1 and Fiat articles got their share recently, so here are a few of the more interesting letters.

The recent discovery of the Abarth Biposto has generated interest around the world.

Hi. Just found your site. I would like to reach Rick Carey. I own a Fiat 8v Zagato and an Abarth 207a spyder. I'd like to speak with him about Francco Scaglione. Great site, unsure if you have only web access. Are you also a magazine?
Dan Kolodziejski

We put Dan in touch with Rick. Are we also a magazine? No, but we'd like to be. Any angels out there?

Hi all. Loved the story on the Abarth 1500 Biposto. I'd like to ask a favour though: could I please use 2 of the pics on my site? I am trying to build up a definitive collection of automobile technical specifications, and for each model I also try and find 2 pictures to help illustrate and educate people about the cars. The specs are here for the Biposto, if you're interested. You're also welcome to grab them to add to your article should you wish. They are primarily sourced from the Abarth Catalogue Raisonne. http://www.carfolio.com/specifications/models/car/?car=19294
Zak McGregor

Thanks Zak, photo permission must be obtained from Rick. .

Hi! I need help, I was enchanted with an Italian automobile in the mid 1960's called an Inochinti (spelling may be incorrect). This car was a beautiful convertible and of course red in color. How would I find a source of information on this automobile?
Robert Thompson

We referred Robert to http://www.CarsofItaly.com, another excellent and helpful site.

Hi, Have I been nuked off your subscription list? I didn't receive the barn find e mail and I don't think Fiat parts 2 and 3. Anyway - please reinstate me - I love every issue
Regards, Julian Trachsel

Our readers can find Fiat Parts I-III under the 'cars' section of the webpage. All articles which have appeared in VeloceToday are archived under one of the subject catagories near the top of the webpage.

Coming up in VT is Part IV of Fiat, in Passing, which will cover a multitude of models from 1966 to the present day.

Thank you very much for your recent and ongoing series of articles regarding the history of Fiat. You mentioned you wanted to hear from those who had owned post 1980 Fiat models. Currently, I own a 1977 124 Spider. But, for many years I was the owner of a 1980 1500 Fuel Injected X1/9, which I purchased new back when Fiat sold cars in the USA. My experience with the Fuel Injected X1/9 was very positive. The car was trouble free and very reliable. It performed well, got great fuel economy and did not spend much time at all in the repair shop. I don't wish to delve into the issues why Fiat ultimately failed in the US marketplace at this time, but I think most Italian car enthusiasts in the US already had a pretty good idea why Fiat, Alfa, Lancia, etc. did not survive here. Maybe you can discuss that issue sometime in the future. With the re-introduction of Maserati and the possible re-introduction of Alfa Romeo (if Fiat can climb out of the current crisis it is in), this would be interesting to many of your readers. Suffice it to say, the post 1980 Fiat cars (at least in my experiance) were pretty good. Other factors, which were Fiat's doing, may have doomed them in the marketplace.
Frank Aragona

I noticed you are having an article on the Volpini. I own a Volpini F. Jr. Serial # 007. It is in Concours and race condition. It was reviewed by Karl Ludvigson, Sept. 1960, Sports Car Illustrated, if interested for more info. Thank you.
Tom Melahn

Tom and the editor are conspiring to bring the readers a good Volpini article. Stayed tuned.