10th International Fiat 500 Meeting in Fellbach (near Stuttgart, Germany) from May 31 to June 2, 2019
It is always great fun to watch many colourful little Fiats drive along in a convoy. From far away, the 500s look like colourful smarties. And the drivers of oncoming vehicles flash their lights and sound their horns with a smile on their face and the passers-by wave at you joyfully. And if you ever have a problem with your Fiat, no problem at all: the helpfulness of the Fellbach Fiat 500 Club is terrific.
Like Colourful Smarties – a Report by Fiat 500 Driver Angie Schlegel
Fiat 500 meetings are laid-back, it is easy to get into conversation, exchange ideas and meet old friends. We remember meetings from times gone by, yes, back then, there were so many more of us and at that time, everything was much easier to organize. Today, approvals have to be obtained, rides and routes have to be communicated to the authorities. The same existed in past times, but there were less obstacles to overcome. The climate crisis is forcing us to avoid the cities, and car parades are no longer welcome. And so the Fiat 500 Club Fellbach-Schmiden-Öffingen e.V. deserves a big credit for taking on the organization of such a meeting every 2 years.
With six little Fiat 500s, we started on our way to Stuttgart, full of pleasant anticipation. Hermann, driving his red Bianchina, had selected the route. Avoiding motorways, a bit more than 4 hours driving time was planned for the 245 kms – it took us seven hours to reach Fellbach. We must admit that we did take many breaks. “By chance”, we stopped several times at the bakery of Netto’s, the supermarket chain that can be found everywhere.
In perfect weather, 6 Fiats made their way to Fellbach. We took many a break at the bakery of Netto’s!
This year’s meeting took place at a new event location, the “Großes Haus” in Fellbach-Schmiden, while the previous meetings had been held at the fire station. But this location outperformed the one used the years before. Next to this traditional 16th century half-timbered house called “Großes Haus”, there is an adjoining farmhouse which looks like a barn. This was the venue of the evening event.
The whole of Saturday was dedicated to “La Dolce Vita” in Fellbach-Schmiden. More than 50 Fiats 500 gathered at the “Großes Haus”. From the number plates, we could see that the Swiss had travelled the longest way, so it was not only us who had put up with a long journey. A camera team was also around. We were greeted by Mario who was delighted to see so many participants and told us the time of departure for the joyride. With Italian “timeliness”, we started our Baden-Wurttemberg cruise. On our ride, I always wondered at the many racing cyclists who cycled on busy country roads and inhaled or deeply breathed in the emissions from our combustion engines. And who then, back under the shower at home, proudly think they have done something for their body today.
Mario, marshalling the Fiats on the square. The camera team of the regional TV station (SWR) in full swing. They also conducted interviews. The elderly lady with the hat to the left of the camera team had travelled all the way from Switzerland to Fellbach. Kudos!
The first stop was beside a country road. There, the first technical problems were solved. A fuel hose of one of the cars had loosened. And we waited for some stragglers because our group had been torn apart due to several traffic lights. Our next stop was in an industrial area, at a classic car workshop in Asperg. Autohaus Winkler has specialised in the maintenance, repair, and restoration of vehicles of the Italian FIAT, Lancia & Alfa Romeo brands. I was very much impressed by the cars to be seen there. Moreover, we could take some cake, and coffee was served from a terrific, silver-polished coffee machine placed on a restored Ape. I was totally thrilled to see a 500 N, second series, in its original state.
Off we go – our Fiats look like colourful Smarties.
From then on, the cruise became a scenic highlight, which ended at the Kirchberg (Murr) railway station. From there, we returned to Fellbach.
Short break at the Kirchberg (Murr) railway station.
Since I was one of the last drivers in the queue, I got the occasion to witness a technical feat. We had to find the fault in a Fiat 500 belonging to the Swiss driver Mischa. The engine stopped turning and would not start again. The skilled Fellbach Fiat 500 drivers first checked the fuel pipe. Then, the contact breaker and the capacitor. Next, they checked the current supply and thus found out that the ignition coil had died. Besides me, some other Fiat 500 drivers had stopped as well and one of them even had a spare ignition coil with him. The little Fiat was up and running again after only 20 minutes. The “event” was accompanied by some spectators from a nearby multi-storey building who observed this spectacle, giving “well-meant” advice or commenting on the procedure. Like a paparazzo, I captured everything with my camera.
Done! Besides sliding pieces, contact breakers and capacitors, you should always have an ignition coil with you.
For dinner, we had barbecued meat and enjoyed cocktails and beer. Being accompanied by a singing duo, our meal had a true Italian feel to it. Then, prizes were awarded. This year, many women had made their way to the event in their Fiats. An elderly Swiss lady had taken on the long journey to Fellbach. Kudos! It was hard for us to say goodbye the next morning. The meeting was a full success with gorgeous weather. We will certainly be back next time.