ITエンジニアの板倉さんのお祖母様は、ハコスカをお嫁入り道具として持参されたほどの大の車好き。そんなご家族のもとで育った板倉さんが選ばれた一台は、1973年式のFIAT 500R、通称“チンク”です。

お母様からは「免許を取るならマニュアル車を」と勧められていたそうですが、初めて所有する車に明確な定めはなく、ご友人に誘われて訪れたCRANKのイベントで、このチンクと出会われました。

惹かれたのはデザインだけではありません。

「思っていた以上に乗り心地が良く、操作性も素晴らしい。何より車と繋がっている感覚が楽しい」と話してくださいました。

現在は月に2〜3回ほどのペースで運転を楽しまれており、すでに箱根ターンパイクまで足を延ばされるなど、チンクとの時間を満喫されています。

“チンクとどう遊ぶか”。

これからその楽しみ方が少しずつ広がっていくことと思います。

私たちも、その時間を引き続きサポートさせていただきます。

“A Car, A Life” Vol.44

FIAT 500R (1973)

Mr. Itakura, an IT engineer, grew up surrounded by car enthusiasts. His grandmother was such a passionate car lover that she even brought a Nissan Skyline “Hakosuka” with her as part of her wedding dowry.

The car he chose for himself is a 1973 FIAT 500R, affectionately known as the “Cinquecento” or simply the “Cinqu.”

His mother had always told him, “If you’re going to get a driver’s license, learn with a manual transmission.” Still, he did not have a particular car in mind for his first ownership experience. It was at a CRANK event, which he attended with a friend, that he encountered this Cinquecento.

What impressed him was not only the design, but also how surprisingly comfortable and enjoyable it was to drive. He says the steering feel and the sense of connection with the car are what make it truly special.

He now enjoys driving it a few times each month and has already taken it out on longer drives, including the Hakone Turnpike.

The theme now is simple: how to enjoy life with the Cinquecento.

We look forward to seeing where it takes him next, and we will continue to support that journey along the way.