Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/270259
CHANGING LANES 24 MARCH 2014 // WWW.CHANGINGLANESDIGITAL.COM Bloody Knuckles By Peter D. DuPre Fix It Again & Again... ...& Again Tony Anyone who is old enough to remember the FIATs of the 60s and 70s probably remembers the old joke that the company's name was an acronym for "Fix It Again, Tony!". Rightly so, as it turned out since Italian cars of that period were famous for being unreliable, especially FIATS. The problem with reliability that FIATs had wasn't actually one of poor design or particularly bad manufacture; it was one of parts and service. FIAT had grown too quickly in the US market in the late 1960s and just didn't have a good parts distribution network, nor a quality mechanics training program. Added to that was the fact that their supplier network in Italy (as well as the factory) was rife with strikes that played havoc with both delivery of parts and of finished automobiles. It was quite a comedown for a company that first came to the US early in the last century and by 1908 was the top imported brand in the USA. In those days FIATs were seen as an upscale and quality car. Retail prices for a new FIAT back then started at $4,000 and by 1918 were edging the $6,500 mark. The price put the FIAT in the rarified atmosphere of the top tier of automobiles. Compared it against the Ford Model T, which in 1918 was selling for $525, the difference in price was quite astounding. FIAT had to close it's US operations due to changing government regulations [Above]This 1908 FIAT 20-30 HP had a list price of $4,500 at debut. Rolling chassis versions, suitable for the coach builder, were even more expensive. bloody knuckles 0314 cl.indd 1 2/6/14 1:56 PM