Golden Oldie: Leaning Towers—It’s Not Just Pisa!
Pisa’s is the most famous, but Paul Heymont shares a collection of leaning towers that have a slant of their own
Pisa’s is the most famous, but Paul Heymont shares a collection of leaning towers that have a slant of their own
recommended by TravelGumbo
ProfessorAbe takes a close look at a crocodile’s teeth during a sunset boat ride along Botswana’s Chobe river.
Catania’s market is filled with interesting fresh food items. But these were a few that DrFumblefinger would take a pass on.
One of the best places to surf is Oahu, especially along its North Shore. The water here is normally rough, with waves of 2 meters
In a serendipitous moment in Munich, Paul Heymont wanders into what started as a gallery and is now quite something more
Catania’s market is filled with interesting fresh food items. But these were a few that DrFumblefinger would take a pass on.
One of the best places to surf is Oahu, especially along its North Shore. The water here is normally rough,
The small city of Vernal, Utah, is close to the heart of Utah’s dinosaur country, including Dinosaur National Monument
Gumbo’s got a photo of a 1943 Kubelwagen from the great Tampa Bay Automobile Museum collection.
Rommels’ Afrika Korps ?
Yes, that Palm Tree icon is their symbol. Uncanny resemblance to PortMoresby’s avatar, although she’s nothing at all like Rommel or his Korps.
Gary, that pic is the “new” 500 (Cinquecento), now appearing in greater numbers in the U.S. as well, since Chrysler and Fiat are now one.
But DrF’s is the old one, from the 50s-70s, such as this one. I believe the last year was 1973; this is a 1967 model. Note the passenger-size to car-size ratio!
This is part of a whole series of “people’s cars” of the postwar generation. Others include the VW Beetle, the Citroen 2CV, the original Mini and a few more. It’s been interesting to see the Beetle, the Mini and the 500 revived as semi-luxury items.
The most common military version of the Beetle in WW2 was the “Kubelwagen,” the German equivalent of the U.S. Jeep. Here’s a picture of them together…
Incidentally, “Kubelwagen” means “bucket car,” named because it was one of the first vehicles equipped with bucket seats…deeply indented to help keep passengers from flying out when the side doors were not in place.
Yes, it’s a Fiat 500/600.
I drove one around Spain in the 70s.
Tiny rear engine – air cooled – go forever !
Copied in many countries around the world – made under license from Fiat
Considered quite a fashionable car and Fiat have started making the Fiat 500 again!
But much, much bigger !
Wikipedia Photo
The VW Beetle has been in production for 77 years !!
It produced many derivatives during WW2 for army use.
Another piece of magnificent engineering.
Rommels’ Afrika Korps ?
DrF, are you sure? Yours is, indeed, a Fiat 500. I drove the Spanish version, called a Seat, during a time I spent in Mallorca, mid ’60’s, a new one that broke down regularly, terrible car but rented, so the agency would pick it up and fix it. As PHeymont mentions, I think of VW as the real “People’s Car”, reliable and a ’69 model, I may have mentioned previously, lives in my garage below me as I write. I intend to update its registration soon so a friend can drive it. I’m sure I’ll be taking a spin too. I may even indulge it with (another) new paint job.