Kari Pynnä, a motor journalist from Finland, contacted my via e-mail today. He wanted to discuss the power output of Fiat 130A (the 2,8 liter model). But that's not the reason for this page. He enclosed a picture of his Fiat 500 and few hours later he sent another one — a perfect opportunity to update my Motor Pages after months of negligence (I have been working with My Suzuki Pages instead).

Kari tells me that his first car was a 1966 Volkswagen Beetle (Type 1) cabriolet. His next car was a Fiat 600, then he had a Fiat 850, a VW 1500S, Datsun 1000 and then Fiat 126, which he used 1974-1988. During the last five years it had the engine of a Fiat 127, 998 cc and 70 hp (originally 595 cc and 23 hp!). ”The change of the engine was officially approved by the authorities in Finland — well, they approved 903 cc and 48 hv...” In 1992 he was persuaded to buy the 500 and he has been rebuilding it little by little ever since. Kari's Fiat in a celebrated company. Famous Formula One driver Mika Salo sitting in front of a famous car - Fiat 500. The photo was taken in 1995. Click on the image for larger format. The next picture (below) will show what has happened since the first picture was taken.

Fiat Abarth 695 SS Assetto Corsa replica. Kari's Fiat a couple of years ago. ”I have built it as a "Fiat Abarth 695 SS Assetto Corsa" replica. Now it has the canvas roof taken from an older, longer model and other new goodies.” Click on the image for larger format.

Hopefully we can hear more from Kari. I know I am interested in his project car.

March 19, 2002
Jarmo Haapamäki
Hälleforsnäs, Sweden