RobiNZ Personal Blog

The evolution of the Fiat 500

While Frank Stephenson did design the production new generation Fiat 500 it is a pity he did not mention, credit, Roberto Giollito and his Fiat Trepiùno concept car (below) which served as the inspiration. It was named for a unique 1+2 seat configuration where the front passenger seat could be slid forward, under a recessed dashboard, to create two full size passenger spaces beside the driver. Pity that didn't make production! Still getting a concept to production largely intact, past the bean counter cuts and real-world requirements, is no mean feat. Love watching him draw too. I wondered if he'd... Read more →

Austin Maxi Vs Fiat 128, no contest

Love this driventowrite.com series comparing the design and life of the Austin Maxi and Fiat 128. Although they were not direct competitors (the 128 is more 1100 sized) the similarities, of both cars and design history, are remarkable. 128 v. Maxi Part 1 : Last Tango of the Titans 128 vs Maxi Part 2 : Function over Form 128 vs Maxi Part 3 : Spring Song 128 vs Maxi Part 4: The Racehorse and the Donkey Continuing our meditation on the Austin Maxi and Fiat 128 Every Day Is Judgement Day. If you drive a front wheel drive car today... Read more →

A2O Cycle Road Trip 04–Wellington Weta & Manual Car Meet-up

I had a lazy start, sleep in, as had booked a Weta Workshop/Studio tour for 11:00. I went via Mt Victoria, another first for me I think (although maybe went up there as a kid). The weather was still mixed, but the clouds and glimmer of sun made for some nice views. The Weta tour was great. Must admit I found the Thunderbirds set visit more interesting than the Rings & fantasy stuff but admired the craftmanship and dedication apparent in all their work. Glad to see how they make the magic: hard work and creative thinking. A demo of... Read more →

From no Abarth to an AHBART–My Abarth 500 Esseesse

It all started with an email. A running TradeMe search for “Fiat” turned up this listing which got me thinking about a way not to replace the Fiat Bravo HGT which is my daily drive. I should also credit, blame, Sam “Seen Through Glass” whose numerous Abarth YouTubes. many I (re)watched over Christmas/New Year, contributed to the Abarth being on my radar again. Love the Bravo, but time for a change? I’ve owned this 2001 car since 2008 and it has 252,000km on the clock. Although reasonably reliable minor mechanical problems can cost a lot to fix thanks to next... Read more →

In defence of the 308 GT4, in Car

I just started reading the April Issue of Car Magazine U.K. but had already seen one Letter to the Editor :) From: Robin Capper Sent: Monday, 29 January 2018 13:23 To: car@bauermedia.co.uk Subject: In defence of the 308 GT4 Hi, Awesome ‘Ferrari at 70’ issue except... You call the Bertone 308 GT4 ugly and show the worst (US spec?) colour scheme I have seen on one. The follow-up Pininfarina 308 GTB/S were beautiful but they didn’t have to package 2+2 seats and a mid-mounted V8. Over the page there’s no comment on the crude styling of their attempt, the Mondial.... Read more →

Traffic Light Thought–Swiftly to dull

I prefer Italian cars (for both irrational and rational reasons!) but if was in the market for a Japanese one the Suzuki Swift would have been top of the shopping list. After years of making worthy but dull small cars (Cultus, Ignis etc) they hit the jackpot with the Swift. It was a good drive with a simple distinctive style; a tough combination to get right. Now they’ve done this which could be from any number of other brands. Yet another six sided grille (are they compulsory for all now?), gloopy style with indistinct lines and generic headlights that could... Read more →

NZ Herald’s terrible new site

I just saw the “New” NZ Herald news website and filled out their “What do you think of the new design?” survey. Comments in reply to: “Once the site is finalised and launched to the public, how likely is it that you would recommend the new NZ Herald website to a friend or colleague?” VERY UNLIKELY Site doesn't look like a professional news media site, looks like a blog with stolen Herald logos on it. I tried in Windows Edge and Chrome on an i5 13 inch HD screen hybrid machine, no browser add-ins or ad blockers Enormous sidebar menu... Read more →

Citroën C4 Cactus inspired by the 2CV?

Does this explain why I — who doesn’t like any other SUV (including the podgy Fiat 500x) — find the Cactus rather appealing? The 2CV is one of my favourite cars and certainly my favourite Citroën. That is saying a lot given the brilliance of the DS and Traction Avant. I hadn’t really connected the C4 Cactus with the 2CV until I read this wonderful article, with lovely Parisian photography, by Gavin Green. While from a different era, and different class of vehicle, in the Cactus the light*, large and ‘happy’ philosophy of the mighty 2CV lives on. Citroen C4... Read more →

Psychic vs Font Police?

Wasn’t until this photo (a random selection from my Flickr images thanks to John) appeared on my desktop this morning that I realised I had a candidate for @jackyan ‘s Font Police. Why ToDay, not Today or today? Read more →

The NZ flag which has it all: Union Jack, Stars, Fern…

Damn! I didn’t think to repurpose this, created in 2001 for Chris Sayer’s Open 50 sponsorship proposal, into a flag contender. Given the current “keep the old”, what about the Union Jack, maybe Southern Cross Stars, or a Fern kerfuffle perhaps this mash-up of the current flag stuffed into a fern outline would have been a contender. Silly me, I thought it was just a logo placeholder until a sponsor was confirmed! Read more →