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Topic starter
19/02/2025 3:06 am
Here is the 1919 Fiat 501S as done in 1/43 scale many years ago by Rio. This is one my Dad got for me as a kid and when Fiat was one of his clients.
Rio did a really nice job on this model and it looks very good in deep blue, although I believe they also did other colors and configurations of this replica.
19/02/2025 6:49 am
With that connection - that has to be very special to you. The pics all look REAL! 
19/02/2025 7:23 am
Great little car. What did your dad do for Fiat?
michaeldetorrice and Christopher Moroni reacted
19/02/2025 8:10 am
Love the pictures Mike. As big as Fiat is worldwide, their appeal has never been attractive to US buyers.
19/02/2025 8:16 am
@bob-jackman Nor have they been very popular here in Canada Bob......reliability issues.
Christopher Moroni and Tony Perrone reacted
19/02/2025 8:34 am
@jack-dodds Jack, that has been the issue here as well. I have a friend who has an Abarth, 124 Spider, X/19 and a 500. All are fun but the Abarth is crazy fun and a blast to drive and I fit into it comfortably. The problem? Parts. The 500 with it's 18 HP two cylinders is more of a golf cart because it is dangerous around today's traffic with it's top speed around 35 mph. The friend who owns these cars, has a Kubota zero turn mower which he says is faster than the 500.
19/02/2025 11:10 am
Great looking images, Michael.
In the 1970s, in Toronto, Canada, Fiat dealerships sold Rio and other makes of Fiat 1/43 models. They were $3 each at the time and I bought one of everything, including this one. Still have most of them.
There are still lots of Fiats here in Ontario, mostly the current Fiat 500 sold through Chrysler dealers and even a few Miata clone Fiat 124s.
One of my favourites, the 1915 Fiat Omnibus.
19/02/2025 1:14 pm
This is one my Dad got for me as a kid
I've never met anyone who has preserved so many childhood toys in such excellent condition as you have managed to do.
Harv Goranson and David Green reacted
19/02/2025 1:17 pm
their appeal has never been attractive to US buyers.
- Simple: Too tiny & underpowered. "Fat & lazy Americans" want big & fast not small & slow. 😏 😏
Tony Perrone and David Green reacted
Topic starter
19/02/2025 2:26 pm
My Dad's company designed and built the displays utilized by Fiat for their automobile shows and trade shows in the U.S.A. during those years. I think I have some other photos and documents he had from that time and I will try and find them. I do recall some info on the forthcoming wedge-shaped X-1/9 automobile.
21/02/2025 11:53 am
@chris Mind you, most are Dinky Toys and Corgi Toys, many purchased as a teen when I recognized miniature car collecting was a legit hobby and I scoured mom and pop toy stores and hobby shops for old stock. And Matchbox Series, not in scale for this forum.
22/02/2025 10:24 am
Yep, gotta few from my earlier days as well. Here are a few original Rio Fiats...
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