Long live the Fiat

They call it the Mother of the Ferrari and want it to be seen on Bangalore roads forever. Meet the city's latest club that pays homage to Fiat 1100 cc cars

Long live the Fiat

They call it the Mother of the Ferrari and want it to be seen on Bangalore roads forever. Meet the city's latest club that pays homage to Fiat 1100 cc cars

An Orkut community of Fiat lovers got together on Sunday and formed the Fiat 1100 club.

Named after the Fiat 1100 cc cars, the club came into existence with the flagging off of seven cars at an inaugural parade on Sunday. The cars, including a 1986 model, wound their way from Cubbon Park and through M G Road, Brigade Road, GPO Junction, Vidhana Soudha and Garuda Mall.

"It was fabulous," said K M Chengappa, an enthusiast who drove the Fiat 1100. "Our first ride was a success.

The club members will meet up every weekend, even driving out of Bangalore to create awareness about the car. There will also be online campaigns to rope in more members.

How it started

"Fiat is the mother of the Ferrari," said Karthik Makam, who started the Orkut community in 2006. "The car ruled Indian roads for more than three decades. So we have come together to create awareness among Indians."u00a0u00a0

The club will be along the lines of the existing Beetle Car Club in Bangalore but unlike them, the members belong to different age groups and different professionals.

While Makam owns enSPy (an electronic security systems provider), Chengappa (28) runs a software company and another member Govindashetty, who spent over Rs 2 lakh on a Fiat worth not more than Rs 20,000, runs an incense stick factory.

"We all love the Fiat as driving it is a pleasure," said Kedarnath Swamy. "I adore it as my grandfather had one.

I've liked it since my childhood and have bought one. Hence, we want to ensure that the cars remain on Bangalore roads for many more years."

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