Do not forget: The great Axel Gerstl Photo Contest 2017 has started!

Dear Customers, dear friends of the Fiat 500, Fiat 126 and Fiat 600,

Welcome to the new edition of the Axel Gerstl newsletter which will give you an outlook on the Liège-Brescia-Liège classic rally that will take place between July 11 and 22, 2018. Do you want to know more about this unique rally for Fiat 500 drivers? Or would you like to participate in this fascinating event? Then read more here.

In our column “I drive a Fiat 126 because...,” Christian Czupryniak tells us how he developed his passion for the little 126.

And of course, we are also proud to present the „Fiat of the month September" along with some interesting current offers and news concerning the Fiat 500, Fiat 126 and Fiat 600.

We hope you enjoy reading this month's newsletter!

Photo courtesy of Malcolm McKay, www.classicrallypress.co.uk

> Photo contest 2017

The traditional, international Axel Gerstl Photo Contest of 2017

Our international photo contest this year bears the motto:

How can I participate? Please click here!

Photo: Umberto De Bortoli

Photo: Gérard Artero

> Rally Revival 2018 – will a Fiat 500 be in the top flight again?

Liège-Brescia-Liège Classic Rally: Next year will see the revival of this unique event!

When the Fiat 500, born in 1957, celebrated one of its biggest victories, it was barely one year old. For it was in 1958 at the Liège-Brescia-Liège rally, launched then for the first time, when this little car virtually left all other competitors standing in the rain and dominated the race. On July 11, 2018, green light will be given for the revival of this historic event, the only rally for just one single vehicle category: a rally for microcars. And the organiser, Malcolm McKay, has ambitious plans for the revival, taking place every ten years, as he shared with the Axel Gerstl team. His aim is nothing less than organising the most important, most entertaining and most indispensable event known in the world of these small-engined cars.

Malcolm would be particularly happy to see many Fiat 500s among the participants, because there is a special relationship between the Liège-Brescia-Liège rally and the little 500. After all, it was a brand new Fiat 500 Sport – driven by rally veteran Arturo Brunetto with his co-pilot, young Andrea Frieder – that led all through the 2,000 miles of this 64-hours non-stop race in 1958 and came in first. So, according to Malcolm, Liège-Brescia-Liège is the only international rally ever won by a Fiat 500. And that’s not all: Another Fiat 500, a Fiat 500 Abarth, crewed by the Fiat drivers Wagner and Donven, finished closely behind the winner. Ranks 4, 6, 7, 0, and 13 were also taken by Fiat 500s meaning that all 500s that were at the start of the race successfully completed it – this sounds all the more unbelievable as only six of the other 19 entrants, among them a Berkeley SE328 and a Berkeley SE492, a BMW Isetta, a Citroen 2CV, a Goggomobil and many more, made it to the finish line at all.

60 years later, Fiat 500 drivers now have the opportunity to follow in the tracks of their famous brothers of yesteryear, taking the same route through Belgium, Germany, Austria, Italy, and Slovenia. And there are still places in this event, which is limited to 60 microcars. So, this goes to everyone who has the time and feels like joining this historic rally over hills and valleys between July 11 and 22, 2018: Please contact Malcolm and register for one of the two available categories:

Authentic Category: all 500 N, Sport and D models, provided that they are in their original state and equipped with a 500cc engine with original specifications.

Spirit Category: for all other models built until 1969 and with a maximum engine capacity of 700cc.

Registered participants up to now include a 500 N Abarth and a Fiat 500 D in the Authentic Category as well as two Fiat 500 Giardiniera models, two Fiat 500 F and one Fiat 500 Scoiattolo in the Spirits Category. Even the nephew of the driver who came in second with his Fiat 500 Abarth in 1958, has announced to take part with a similar Abarth model – so Fiat drivers would be in great company, says Malcolm McKay.

All in all, Malcolm looks forward to a pleasant Liège-Brescia-Liège rally where the leading drivers might well enter into a real competition. The focus, however, should be placed on the beautiful scenery, a friendly atmosphere among the drivers of these little cars and, of course, on fun and pleasure.

If this has whetted your appetite to take part in the Liège-Brescia-Liège Classic Rally, click the following links to view the terms of participation and open the registration form. We would also be pleased to bring you into contact with Malcolm McKay’s team – just e-mail us!

Terms of participation

Registration form

Photos of 1958's winner's and of the Classic Rally 2008 courtesy of Malcolm McKay, www.classicrallypress.co.uk

> 45 years of Fiat 126 – An entry by Christian Czupryniak, Germany

I drive a Fiat 126 because...

„I drive a Fiat 126 because it still fits in my garage.
Actually, my story starts like many others: Due to my Polish roots, I spent many summer holidays in my childhood with my relatives where the Maluch, as the Fiat 126 is called in Poland, was virtually omnipresent. I still remember a fabulous trip where three stocky grown-ups with their angling equipment plus me drove to the nearest lake in a 126 model... Due to another passion, my garage was well stuffed with other things, but in December 2015, I decided to make my old dream come true. Since then, a Maluch from 1989 fills the remaining space. And this car started a new, unhurried era! A bit of tinkering and servicing, and, as reward, me and my girlfriend head off for the many vintage car meetings taking place in our region. In fact, the Maluch isn’t a ‘real vintage car’ yet, but it is well received at the meetings! But my personal highlight was when I discovered it in the printed Axel Gerstl Calendar 2016!“

... and why do you drive a Fiat 126? Send us your personal reasons under the heading “I drive a Fiat 126 because…” to our e-mail address info@fiat500126.com.

Photos: Christian Czupryniak

> Photo Album: Fiat of the Month September

Fiat of the Month September

The Fiat of the Month September has been elected! Many thanks to Mr. Jürgen Wacker from Germany and all other participants!

To all previous participants: Your photo is still active and can still become Fiat of the Month in the next months.

> Offers

Subject to change, errors excepted, offers only valid until stock lasts.
All prices including 19 % VAT. Freight charges extra.

Company Axel Gerstl
Münchner Straße 17
82239 Alling/Biburg

Telephone: +49 - 8141/53 48 6-0
Telefax: +49 - 8141/53 48 6-10

E-Mail: gerstl@fiat500126.de
Internet: http://www.fiat500126.de

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