A Show of Its Very Own: Fiat 500 F

The adorable, and well designed, Fiat 500 F

The New York International Auto Show isn't until April, but car enthusiasts can see a special class of car: the Fiat 500 F. At the Museum of Modern Art. The showstopper, in the new exhibit The Value of Good Design, runs until May 27.

The 500 F, aka the Cinquecento, was an inexpensive car for the masses. Watch the grainy video, showing a family taking the car on a day trip. But although the car seats four, kids are better suited to the back seat. And my 6'5" friend said he likely wouldn't fit. [Note: you can't touch the car, so no getting in to test out that theory].

What's cool about the car is how adorable it is. And how the price of steel led the designers to use a fabric roof - which then turned the car into a convertible. A convertible at economy prices is like getting Alexander McQueen clothes at Target.

The Fiat is just as cute from behind, especially with an Italian license plate

Cars that make you happy

When my father-in-law turned 50, he bought himself a Fiat Spider. He had been driving Cadillacs most of his adult life, so this was quite a pivot. These fun to drive cars make even grumpy New Yorkers happy.

Everyday kitchen objects at MoMa - and an axe

More Good Design 

The MoMa exhibit includes everyday objects like a bicycle, a sewing machine and a camera. The kitchen utensils include a shrimp cleaner, a whisk and - an axe? Not sure how heated things get in your home, but this is a gorgeous axe. Maybe for chopping the ends of carrots?

The Value of Good Design closes June 15, when the entire museum shuts down for a four month renovation.

Note: I was a guest of Fiat at the exhibit. Opinions are, of course, my own.