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| Number 225 - English version dated 28.03.2024 - © Axel Gerstl |
“Luigi” Must Go Home! – Arrival in Sicily And The End Of a Long Journey
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“Luigi” Must Go Home! – Arrival in Sicily And The End Of a Long Journey Dear customers, dear friends of the Fiat 500, Fiat 126 and Fiat 600, “Luigi”, the little Fiat 500 wrapped in the Italian national colours, started his journey in 2020. Since then, he has travelled a lot on his long journey completed in multiple stages and always supported by the Axel Gerstl team. With his human companions Martin Buschmann and Gereon Roemer, “Luigi” first went on a test trip to Lake Como and then crossed the Italian mainland via Milan, Tuscany, Pisa, Rome and Naples. Finally, they reached the Italian south coast facing Sicily, where “Luigi” and Martin Buschmann have their roots: “Luigi” had already served the Buschmann family faithfully as a family car in Martin Buschmann’s childhood. “Luigi” simply had to go home again – and in autumn 2023, he finally reached his destination: his home in Catania! As for Martin Buschmann and Gereon Roemer, they successfully completed their very personal road movie. The two photographers are now about to compile a live multi-vision show from all collected impressions, photos and videos, which will then be presented to the public at selected locations (planned from autumn 2024 on). We will announce the dates in good time in this newsletter. Here we report on the arrival of the little 500 and his human companions and on the special surprise that was brought to “Luigi” by many of his fellow cars! ¡Una calurosa bienvenida! Een warm welkom! A few days ago, we launched the Spanish and Dutch language versions of our web shop and website with its variety of contents. Do you speak Spanish or Dutch? Then feel free to browse through our pages! And of course, we are also proud to present the "Fiat of the month March" 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! The Axel Gerstl team |
| > Luigi must go home! – Part 9 of the Journey from Germany to Sicily |
150 little Fiat 500s
Meeting at the petrol station
Stop on the clearway
The first breakdown
The second breakdown
Arrival in Comiso
Selfie with the Lady Mayor
Dinner after the ride
Luigi has found new friends
Thanks to Davide!
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“Luigi” Must Go Home! – Arrival in Sicily The journey took a long time, but now it has come to an end: “Luigi”, the little Fiat 500 F built in 1967, has returned to his former home in Sicily! On their long journey, “Luigi” and his human companions, the photographer duo Martin Buschmann and Gereon Roemer, went through a lot of adventures (you can find reports on the complete journey here on our website!). However, the arrival on the southern Italian island was to top everything! Before this last stage, “Luigi’s” driver, Martin Buschmann, had a very special wish for the brave little Fiat 500: „It it would be great to go for a big tour in Sicily with other vintage Fiat 500s, honking our horns and cheerfully driving through the streets of Catania!” Unfortunately, Buschmann didn’t know anybody from the local Fiat 500 scene. “Thank goodness, there’s the Axel Gerstl team who can help,” he said. “This company has been my No 1 for ordering spare parts since the first day with “Luigi”. During one of the many order-related phone calls, I told them about our planned arrival in Sicily. At the other end of the line, I heard the enthusiasm about my wish to meet other Fiat 500 drivers in Catania.” Since the Axel Gerstl team has been friends with the Catania section of the Fiat 500 Club Italia for quite a while, it was no great problem to establish a contact. Martin Buschmann was happy: „What a lucky coincidence! It didn’t take long before I got Davide Cappadonna’s phone number. He runs the local Fiat 500 Club and writes the periodic reports on the little cars in the Axel Gerstl newsletter. It was obvious to me that this man was an expert! And, what is more, he’s a kind and friendly man, as I found out during the first phone call. He told me that, as always in Italy, all this would be no problem. We should simply get in touch upon our arrival in Sicily.” Being a German, Martin Buschmann would have liked to make an appointment right on the spot, but Davide refused to be pinned down on the phone. He said that a WhatsApp message a few hours before the arrival would be sufficient. “Since we were friends of his German friends, I trusted that our appointment would work out in the end,” Martin Buschmann said optimistically. “Many things on our journey had not worked out. Now it would be so nice if my wish for the last stage would come true!” But when “Luigi” and the Buschmann/Roemer team got off the ferry to Sicily and Martin Buschmann tried to call Davide, nobody answered. “This is unusual for an Italian. Usually, the line is always busy,” Martin Buschmann wondered. He got worried because Italians normally would not go anywhere without their phone and the time slot for a meeting with the local Fiat 500 enthusiasts was very short. After all, visits to the Etna and to Martin Buschmann’s birthplace were planned and a photo with “Luigi” on the cathedral square also featured on the to-do list. “The only time left for our meeting was Sunday.” But when Martin Buschmann looked at his mobile phone to check the date, he calmed down: it was lunchtime. Davide finally called back at 4 p.m., when “Luigi” was just struggling with the steep roads of Taormina. “Constant heel-and-toe shifting due to the unsynchronised gearbox, and at the same time talking on the phone? No problem,” said Martin Buschmann with a hint of irony. “After all those kilometres on Italy’s roads, this was a piece of cake!” On the phone, Davide promised the “Luigi”/Buschmann/Roemer team a surprise, precisely on their ‘day off’. “Davide sent me the coordinates of the location where we would meet on Sunday at 7:30 a.m.,” Martin Buschmann told us. It was a petrol station near the port of Catania. But on that day, he suddenly changed the meeting point: “New location. A petrol station almost 10 km outside Catania. I found that very strange. Outside the city? After all, the plan had been to drive through the streets of Catania!” Martin Buschmann replied that it would probably take a little longer for him, Gereon and “Luigi” to arrive. Davide’s only reaction was a smiley face with an Italian flag, which Martin Buschmann interpreted as ‘no problem’! “We met him and his club members at the new location,” he told us. “It was a warm welcome. The club members were delighted that we had travelled all the way from Germany. Being just as proud of their little cars as we were of “Luigi”, they told us of their own adventures with their “Cinquinos”. Of course, each of us got a strong coffee – espresso doppio.” After an hour of shop talk at the petrol station, they were about to start, while Martin Buschmann was still unaware of the final destination. But Davide recommended filling up “Luigi” first because the distance would be 100 kilometres. “Davide immediately noticed my astonishment,” said Martin Buschmann. “Yes, this is the surprise!” He told us that we were going to drive to Comiso now where 150 other Cinquecenti were waiting for us on the big square. Together, we would then go on the big ‘raduno’. All clubs from Sicily would be present. Wow! “A trip with over 150 other small Fiats was beyond my wildest dreams and promised to be great fun!”Unfortunately, ‘Luigi’ was not feeling too well that morning at the start. Martin Buschmann suspected that the carburettor was drawing false air, affecting “Luigi’s” top speed. “Many of the Sicilians in the Catania club drive small racers equipped with tuned engines and wide tyres. Thus, top speeds of up to 160 km/h can be reached. I asked Davide to let us drive in convoy, as ‘Luigi’s’ top speed was between 80 and 90 km/h only.”But Davide reassured Martin Buschmann immediately: “In our club, nobody will be left behind!”He pointed to his 1964 Fiat 500 D, which was built in 1964, and assured Martin Buschmann that he would drive ahead and no faster than 80 km/h. After “Luigi’s” tank had been filled up, the engines were started and finally, off they went. As announced, Davide drove first, with the others from the Catania club and “Luigi” following him. “Luigi” could even have overtaken Davide’s Fiat 500 despite the slight inclines. “His Fiat is even some years older than my Luigi,” Martin Buschmann stated. After about 30 km, Davide finally pulled over, just as “Luigi” had recovered from his performance slump. “We stopped in the middle of the clearway. Davide’s Fiat had broken down. No more power!”Martin Buschmann sent a big thank-you to Saint Agatha – Catania’s patron saint – that it was not “Luigi” who caused the problem that brought the entire convoy to a standstill. However, it was not an option that Davide’s Fiat would not reach the final destination. “Quickly, all drivers gathered around Davide’s car and everyone had their own ideas what the fault might be,” said Martin Buschmann and continued: “A first measure was to exchange the ignition capacitor. We started our engines, only to stop again after 5 km. This time, the entire carburettor was replaced. Of course, we had our spare parts aboard. After 10 more kilometres, we stopped again at a petrol station. First of all, everybody had a coffee. I thought by myself: In Comiso, 150 Fiats have been waiting for us for about an hour, and we haven't even covered half the distance yet!” On the other hand, “Luigi” was in top form, always started well and responded quickly to the gas pedal. At 12 o’clock, the entire convoy finally reached Comiso. “Despite the breakdowns, we had covered the 100 km distance in only three and a half hours, which is quite a normal travel time for a Fiat Cinquecento,” said Martin Buschmann proudly. He then described the following events: “We were greeted with loud engine noises and lots of honking. ‘Luigi’, Gereon and I were introduced by the Lady Mayor via microphone. After parking ‘Luigi’, I was immediately dragged out of the car for a selfie with the Lady Mayor. ‘Luigi’ and the lady are now best friends on Instagram. And indeed, as we had expected, ‘Luigi’ is now an honorary member of the Fiat 500 Club Italia. Not only the one in Sicily! No, in the whole of Italy! A sign was attached to his bumper with cable ties, as a proof of his honorary membership and participation in today’s event.”Then, to the applause of the many spectators on the square, the big ride of the 150 little Fiats around the city of Comiso started, ending, as always, in a joint meal and celebrations. “We got pasta, pizza and so much amore from our Sicilian friends on that day”, said Martin Buschmann delightedly. Gereon Roemer captured the eventful day with a group photo taken by a drone. Without a major breakdown, “Luigi” and the other Fiats from Davide’s group eventually returned to Catania at about midnight and the Buschmann/Roemer team fell happily into their beds. “What a gorgeous day, what an experience for ‘Luigi’, Gereon and me!” said Martin Buschmann, summarising his impressions of the grande finale of their long tour. “I can’t thank Davide Cappadonna and his friends enough! And also a big thank-you to the Axel Gerstl team, who made it all possible. And thanks to “Luigi”, who braved this wild ride with us again without any mishaps!“ P.S.: “Luigi’s” trip back to his Italian roots has now come to a successful end, but the lecture series is yet to start. In this newsletter, we will inform you in good time about the dates and locations of Martin Buschmann’s and Gereon Roemer’s presentation! P.P.S.: You would you like to learn more about Davide? Then click here!
Aerial group photo
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| > Photo Album: Fiat of the Month March |
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Fiat of the Month March If you want to present your Fiat 500, Fiat 126 or Fiat 600 to our readers, please send a photo to service. There’s no special motto, no limitation. And if you’re lucky, your Fiat will become Fiat of the month! To all previous participants: Your photo is still active and can still become Fiat of the Month in the next months. Click here to find the previous “Fiats of the month”. |
| > New items in our online shop* |
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for example Cover plate
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for example Quarter vent mounting frame
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for example Car-jack
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| > Offers* |
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for example Front badge
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for example Fuel pump
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for example Set of wiper blades
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| > Please note |
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Subject to change, errors excepted. |
| > Contact |
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Company Axel Gerstl
Telephone: +49 - 8141/53 48 6-0
E-Mail: service |
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