Friday, October 12, 2012

Fiat to show off flat black surf-inspired 500 at SEMA

SEMA Show Fiat 500 Beach Cruser
The SEMA Show is right around the corner, and some of this year's show cars are being previewed before the actual show. For example, thie flat-black rat-rod-esque surf-inspired Fiat 500 called the Beach Cruiser. According to the Chrysler press release:


A playful take on the West Coast car customizer vibe, with a unique and entertaining surf motif, is the aim of the Fiat 500 Beach Cruiser. The unique charcoal, matte-finish grey Fiat 500 features a widened body (by a foot for both the front and rear) with old school-style fender flares that cover aluminum Mopar prototype wheels. Red paint brightens the rims, as well as satin and brushed center caps that give a clean look while hiding the lug nuts.

The exterior metal work receives a satin, brushed finish on the door handles, mirrors and Mopar fascia accents, including the front chin spoiler, and Mopar roof rack surfboard carrier. Touching all points on the vehicle, headlamps are tinted, and cues from vintage hot rod culture are found on the prototype Mopar hood and Mopar rear deck lid, which boast louvers that are both functional and also aesthetically appealing. Teak woodwork on the slats of the roof rack, which carries a custom surfboard painted to match the body, add a unique touch.


The interior of the Fiat 500 Beach Cruiser is just plain fun, with a capital "F." Themes on the exterior make their way to the interior, with trim bezels that also carry the satin brushed finish. As with the roof rack carrier, the creative "boardwalk" inspired floor slats are finished with teak woodwork. The dark grey naugahyde high-gloss vinyl seats receive a wild touch with red-and-white "beach towel" seat inserts.


An extended shifter, capped off by a white ball, completes the interior. Performance upgrades include a Mopar exhaust and Mopar cold-air intake to provide horsepower boosts, while the Mopar strut tower brace improves handling. The FIAT 500 Beach Cruiser wouldn't be complete without the cherry on top - a hula girl figurine, placed front and center on the dash.
Can't say I'm a huge fan of the super-wide flares, but overall it's a neat concept. I typically don't associate vehicles like this with the retro rat-rod scene, but that's what SEMA is all about: crazily designed concepts.

I'll be at the 2012 SEMA Show, and will get some pictures to post, too.

4 comments:

Ducati Scotty said...

I don't see the need for the flares either, and I'd go with plain steel wheels, but I like it enough to momentarily consider quitting my job and go back to being a surf bum.

2gt8rthan4 said...

I like it except for the roof rack. Without something on the rack it will look hideous.

Dan Cole said...

Everything about the flat black is oh so right!

Anonymous said...

Would love this board rack. Anyone know where I could purchase something like this for a Fiat 500 convertible?