Scioneri. . . I love saying it . . . Scioneri. . . , Scioneri. . . , but before I sing a parody of "Maria" from "West Side Story," I should explain. It seems Fiat contracted with MOMO design in the 80s and created some "limited editions" of which, we are privileged to have one! We were told by the seller that there are only a few left and when insuring the vehicle this was very important to mention.
The first time you insure a car in Italy is very expensive. First, you must prove yourself a "good driver" and, after the first year, the rates drop considerably. So, to insure our Scioneri. . . (Read that: Fiat Panda 750, w/suede interior and a fancy rubber horn-cover which reads: "Scioneri MOMO") was going to cost us over 700 euros, unless . . . the car was registered as an "historic" vehicle. If the car was accepted by this special society, for only 120 euros a year in membership fees, the insurance rate would drop by 2/3rds! "Wow, that's huge," we agreed, and Gianni, the seller, was eager to help in the process (mind you, he never took the time to register it for himself) and offered to accompany us to meet an "officer" in the club.
On the way (I let Gianni drive the Scioneri. . .) we stopped for gas and I told the attendant, "pieno!" The attendant, whom Gianni called cugino, repeated, "pieno?" Gianni echoed, accompanied with a bit shock on his face, "pieno??" Once again--to Gianni and his cugino I said, "pieno!!!" Gianni shrugged and smirked a bit. What was that all about? What did I say? Was I being the "Ugly American" by wanting a full tank of gas? The 1000 euros we paid for the car was already in Gianni's bank, so technically the Scioneri. . . was ours--why not "fillerup?" Cugino washed the windows, topped-off the water and air, checked the tire pressure and we went along our merry way to meet this auto aficionado! Gianni turned down a side street in the Foce district of San Remo, properly double-parked, locked the car, and located the "official."
The men were talking very quickly, sometimes in hushed tones, oftentimes shouting, and I could see that the "official" was not convinced that our Scioneri. . . was maintained well enough to become a member! Finally, with much negotiation on Gianni's part, it was decided that. . . if we were to have a portion of the driver's-side door painted; then photograph the side of the car, being very careful not to display any part of the car's paint-peeled top; then take off the seat covers and take a second picture (required) though the passenger door showing-off the suede interior; then submit these two photos to the club's president. . . yes, yes. . . we might have a shot! In the meantime, I was advised by the "official," to pay the entire insurance fee, and once all the "repairs" and photos were made, the club fees paid, and, after the car was registered as an "historic vehicle" we could then ask the insurer to reimburse us the extra money we paid by insuring it as "just a normal Panda 750."
Gianni accompanied me to the insurance office and made a quick, but polite, exit. I phoned Rich, who stayed behind to withdraw the insurance money from the bank, and I briefly explained all we had to do to save money. In the end we decided it wasn't worth the effort--that, and after a few questions of the agent, we learned that Italian insurers would never reimburse us a cent.
Happily driving our own car up the hill to Ceriana we were glad to leave the traffic, the noise and exhaust smells of San Remo behind. Half-way up the hill we were keenly aware that the traffic and noise had dissipated but the exhaust smells grew stronger. An ever increasing scent of benzina filled the passenger compartment. The word "pieno," in Gianni's voice, went through my mind. "Pieno?" "Pieno??" "Pieno???"
Please note: If you ever "fill-up" a Panda be aware that, due to its design, a bit of gas will spill when you drive uphill.
At any given time, you'll find a half-tank or less in our Scioneri. . . !
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