Fiat's first true small car, the original 1936 500, was nicknamed by the car-buying public as 'Topolino' - which just happens to be the Italian name for Mickey Mouse.
Tiny EV
The Topolino name has returned to the Fiat lineup this year as a tiny EV run-around using the same mechanical package as the Citroen Ami. Meanwhile, 2023 just happens to be the 100th birthday of the company founded by Mickey's creator, Walt Disney. You can see where this is going, can't you?
Fiat has created five special Topolinos, each linked to a different theme - historical, modern, street, and abstract. That's four themes, of course. Disney artist Giorgio Cavazzano designed the fifth car.
First cartoon with sound
So, History is a black and white Topolino featuring images from Steamboat Willie - the first ever Mickey Mouse cartoon. It was also the first cartoon with sound and has been immortalised in an exhibit at the Museum of Modern Art in New York.
Modern Art features jazzy, multi-coloured MM logos along with Mickey's face, while Abstract does what it says on the tin, featuring swirling colours, shapes, and, again, Mickey's face.
Street has a funky graffiti vibe, while Giorgio Cavazzano's car shows off multiple iterations of Mickey Mouse, showing the different looks and animation styles used over the years.
Lingotto's 100th birthday
The cars will be displayed as a joint exhibit at Lingotto. That building in Turin, once Fiat's home factory, is also celebrating its centenary, and, as it happens, Mickey Mouse is having his 95th birthday.
Olivier Francois, Fiat CEO and Global Stellantis CMO commented: "The stories of Fiat and Disney are rooted together as both Disney and the Lingotto celebrate their 100th anniversaries, and the two Topolinos - the Disney icon and the very first Fiat 500 - have been inspiring art, street art and fashion for decades. We have so much more in common than a name: DNA, authenticity, the importance of bringing people simplicity, warmth, and joy. The value of letting people see the world and the future with a smile and optimism, the way to get connected with a younger audience.
The new Fiat Topolino will play its part in that by offering 'smiling' electric mobility to people. Today I am proud to present our tribute to Disney with five special Topolino one-offs, all inspired by the iconic Disney character that motivated our Topolino's nickname back in the 1930s."
Daniel Frigo, Country Manager of The Walt Disney Company Italy & Turkey and Head of Studio Italy, stated: "At Disney we are incredibly proud to be part of the culture and amazing creativity of Italy. This love for Italy has inspired us to forge a relationship based on respect and trust with both Italians, as well as Fiat. We are truly honoured to be able to celebrate our 100th anniversary with this magical moment that brings Fiat and Topolino together once again, in the spirit of creativity and the bond of friendship."