Fiat 500 Pepita sets gold standard for small cars
click above for more high-res images of the Fiat 500 Pepita
Every year in Rome is held a luxury show called the Scrigno, Tesori d'Italia, which roughly translates to mean the Italian Treasure Chest. Last year we showed you a Maserati Quattroporte by Studio M that was dipped in gold. To be more specific, it's paint was mixed 24k gold powder. The 2008 event concluded today and we wanted to show you what Studio M had on display this year. Called the Fiat 500 Pepita, it is Italy's iconic small car painted with the same 24k gold micro-powder paint as last year's Maserati. Studio M went a bit further this time by modifying the 500 Pepita even more. The side walls of the tires are also brushed with gold and frame a set of aftermarket wheels from OZ; the dash has been covered with Australian mother of pearl inlay; the gear shift, hand brake and pedals are lined with Swarovski crystals and the designer floor mats are made out of cashmere. The car you see in the gallery below costs about 60,000 euro, but Studio M is more than happy to customize one for you by upholstering the interior with the skin of crocodile, snake, shark, rayfish or lizard, as well as dumping the Swarovski crystal for one of 48 other precious stones. Sure, it's a bit ironic that a small economy car has been made to epitomize the luxurious tastes of wealthy Italians, but we've heard time and again that Europeans are willing to pay more for small cars over there.
Check out more high-res pics of the Fiat 500 Pepita courtesy of Omniauto.it, or click here to view more.
[Source: Omniauto.it via Autoblog Spanish]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Alex B 8:15PM (2/08/2008)
And I thought an Escalade with huge dubs looked silly!
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Maek 8:32PM (2/08/2008)
Hmm, this car looks slick in matt gold. Stylish!
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Colin Smith 9:26PM (2/08/2008)
Actually, I don't know ANY Europeans who'd be prepared to pay 'this sort of money' for a small car, or even more for a similarly cheesed-up big car for that matter. Still, the 500 looks far better than it sounds, but that's because it is cute. 'Europeans' just don't have an issue with small cars. Small cars are seen as an answer to a transport need, and in no way condemned for their size, or judged on it; in fact, a decrepit, gold drenched, overdressed, face lifted and botoxed permatanned saddo in a small car would be far less condemned than a similar freak seen travelling in a huge ego-sad limo, or luxo sports barge for that matter. Why would such a person be 'condemned' anyway some will ask? Because they are trying too hard, and convincing no-one, I would answer. Less is more!
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Tristan OTierney 11:52PM (2/08/2008)
Man those are gorgeous wheels
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Harrison 1:38AM (2/09/2008)
Build one in full carbon-fiber. Then we'll talk. :D
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carbuzzard 2:41AM (2/09/2008)
Not that this is anything new. The same thing...well, the the tires or paint...was done to an Austin-Healey 100-6 as a prize at the1958 Earls Court Auto Show: http://www.healeysurgeons.com/1958Gold.htm
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Flea 9:53AM (2/09/2008)
I dunno, as much as I like the 500, this kinda defeats the point of the cheap little car. not to mention I HATE bling.
It's like making a delicate little roll of sushi, and then pouring a pot-full of cheese on it..
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Chaz 12:52PM (2/09/2008)
How exceptionally Italian. Are those Superturismos? Love'm.
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Tom 3:56PM (2/09/2008)
Hmmm, not so sure about those gold side walls, let alone a Swarovski crystal handbrake.
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D. See 7:11PM (2/10/2008)
Whomever did this should be shot. Period.
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Jruhi4 7:47PM (2/11/2008)
Besides the silliness of the gold-sidewall tires, I was cracking up at the name. Pepita is Cuban slang for clitoris.
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