My Fiat 500 Plage

Marc Mari an immobilier on the Cap with a passion for Vintage.

The cutest Car in Cap d’Antibes has to be this Fiat 500 plage with fabulous retro Orange seat covers. During the summer months you will often see it parked up on the Cap.

The owner of this little beauty is Marc Mari a local Immobilier . Marc was born in Antibes and has owned Cap Sud for 20 years.

I popped into his office one afternoon to ask him about his little car.

 How long have you had the Fiat 500 Plage?

The car was made in the 60’s but I bought it 20 years ago. I already owned a Fiat at the time but I wanted another one.

I actually found this one in a garden. A  friend found it for me. It had been left in the garden to rot for probably 20 years or more. Then it spent a while in my garden too before I began to restore it.

I bought it for 10,000 Francs and it took me just over a year to restore it. The restoration cost me another maybe 5-7000 euros.

Why the fiat 500?

I love the Fiat 500. It’s a mythical car. You either love it or you don’t. The car is, for me, a real love and  it goes perfectly with the Cap and life on the French Riviera and it’s small. It really is THE perfect Car for the Cote d’Azur.

I had two other Fiats but now I just have one other- it’s exactly the same car, the same colour but with a roof.

Also the doors open the other way. They open forwards. They call them suicide doors because when you open the doors you can’t see behind you, you have no visibility.

What other cars or vehicles do you own?

I own and have owned  many cars.  Currently I have a Figaro, Mini Moke, a Harley Davidson and a classic Vespa scooter from the 50’s among others.

The Figaro comes from Japan. There were only 20,000 of them made in 1991. It’s very difficult to find this car and especially in the colour I wanted. I wanted the Figaro because when I  was in London once I saw this model and loved it. 5 years later after a lot of searching on the internet I found and bought one.

Are Cars your obsession?

I love cars but I would say Cars are my pleasure rather than my obsession.

Which is your favourite?

My favourite has to be my fiat 500 Plage. It is the only carwhich I will never sell.

Is there a car you wish you had that you don’t own?

No. I have owned all the cars of my dreams. Now I have all the cars that I want. I have had a Ferrari, Bentley, Porsche and many 4×4’s I have had everything.

Basically I love Vintage cars.

I am Vintage.

Cap Sud Immobilier for propery sales and rentals in Cap d’Antibes.

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