Britta's Letters from her life divided between city-life in German's capital Berlin and life in a Bavarian village

Tuesday 15 April 2014

My beautiful red Fiat 500

Britta Huegel

Dear You, 
I have to tell you about my new car (well: I should write 'new', because it is used; never in my life I bought a new car - and I have bought a lot).
You might remember my jeremiad about the perfect old black Jaguar Daimler Double Six - with cream white leather seats, a lot of blinking chrome, a perfect condition, and a perfectly sensible price - being my dream car for oh so long - and then the desaster when I looked into the rear-vision mirror and saw - nothing, behind the window a void - though I felt there was quite a lot there...
Son encouraged me by sending links for MiniCoopers (which I drove by BMW's car-sharing here in Berlin), and then Son wrote: Why not a Fiat 500? 
He sent me a link - and the car was perfect! The owner: an absolutely neat holder of a neat car - and the car being equipped with the special interior-version: not, as most have, grey interior - no, no: red and white, even the seats: red seat, (which are comfortable, even for Husband, who is 1.98m tall), and white round headrests. (I'm not that curious to find out whether the eight airbags are matching).
The number plate (which one keeps in Berlin after buying a used car) is a bit special: "B - TT 6606".
"I would change that", said an acquaintance.
I won't. Why should I?
The old version of this car, the Fiat Nuovo, built in 1957, was tenderly called "Topolino - little mouse" by the Italians. The Germans called them "Knutschkugel - canoodle-ball". Being used to names, this car, the Fiat 500 is the very first of about 12 very different cars I owned, that cried for a name.
I call him "Knut". Like: knuddelig, meaning cuddly.
(He first insisted to be called 'Cnut' - him being a bit on the eccentric side concerning appearances - to put it mildly). Our quarter is very much sought after by gay people - and Knut feels evidently drawn to them, and vice versa, but, as I have many friends among them, Knut accepts me too.
Yesterday you could see me with a car - beautiful, beautiful Ferrari red - filled up with palm tree, flowers and an aspidistra.
And that's our motto of the day:
"Knut - Keep the aspidistra flying!"
"Aye-aye, sir!"  (I told you...)

Britta Huegel



22 comments:

  1. I love 'Topolino' so much! Very knut? Well, I know you wouldn't cuddle mice, necessarily ...

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    1. Dear Suze,
      I'm not afraid of mice - as long as they are tiny and have with those big round ears, and are wearing an apron as in Brambly Hedge.

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  2. I like this car. It has such a cheerful-looking interior!

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  3. Your ' Knut ' is perfect Britta and really suits you. I can just see you riding around in him.
    Happy motoring. XXXX

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    1. Thank you, Jackie - it is very handy in a city with more than 3,5 million inhabitants it is easier with a small car to find a parking bay.

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  4. Replies
    1. I'm looking forward to test it -(at first I was brooding whether I get sentimental.)

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  5. You know I love that it's RED! I don't think I've ever named my vehicles. Here in the US we tend to refer to them as "she" not "he" ...wonder why? Enjoy your new ride and be safe! Smiles...Susan

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  6. Dear Susan,
    the red is such a special red: like my nail polish (IF I wear some - normally it is to much work, I do so much with my hands, and hate chipped lacquer) - a deep deep cherry red, cool side - stunning. Interesting information about a car seen as "she" - in Germany we use the neutral "es - it" - because it is a thing. That's why I never named one before (and was a bit worried when I did here - thought I get sentimental. Then I thought: why not?)

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  7. pretty nice blog, following :)

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  8. I don't know why but I missed this post. Your red Fiat 500 is so lovely. I have never had a red car. Hmm. I'd love to get one!! My car is dark blue.....

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  9. Dear Sapphire,
    the car is really cute - and my very second one in deep cherry red. I notice a tendency to this wonderful deep red, even in clothes now. Dark blue is beautiful too, and more versatile. But red lifts the spirits, definitely (I saw Fanny Ardant in the film "The beautiful days", where she flipped through the city in a red car - I liked that! So energetic - and she: such a beautiful older woman.

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  10. Well, hailing your car as a Knut is appropriate. Your car looks just so cute and cuddly! Anyway, it seems like the previous owner really loved this car, because you were able to get it in such a good condition. That was really a nice find! Cheers!

    Rhonda Burgess @ Bob Dunn Hyundai

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    1. Dear Rhonda,
      thank you! It is really a good find - and works well. And so nice in a big city!

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  11. Your new car is totally cute, and the name you gave it totally matches. Hahaha! Anyway, I hope that you go on numerous adventures and create wonderful memories together. Knut is really a great choice, Brigitta! Thanks for sharing that! All the best to you! :)

    Ross Adkins @ Bulls Eye Auto Glass

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  12. Dear Ross,
    thank you! I still enjoy it very much - and it is a good choice for a big city like Berlin, because one finds easier a parking place.

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  13. That is the cutest car. I have not seen many of those either. I did, however, see quite a few of them in Europe when I was there last. I was surprised by how many small cars they drive there. There were basically no SUVs or even that many sedans. I saw endless hatchbacks. It is funny the big differences.

    Cedrick @ Viva Chrysler Dodge Jeep

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