1968 Fiat City Taxi Prototyp

The City Taxi project start from an analysis of the conditions of urban traffic and the practical qualities of a public vehicle, he identified a set of basic requirements. It would have to be as compact as possible (but with a favourable ratio between overall volume and cabin space), offer good visibility, and at the same time be accessible, manageable, safe and easily recognized. The prototype built in 1968 was presented to the public at the Turin Motor Show. Produced by Fiat’s Centro Stile, on the platform and mechanicals of the mass produced 850 Special Idroconvert (equipped with semi-automatic gearbox and torque converter), it had a body with reduced overhang and asymmetrical sides. Its dimensions were: overall length 3250 mm, width 1450 mm, height 1600 mm. It had a large sliding door on the right giving access to the passenger seat and a normal sized door was provided for the driver.

It incorporated numerous innovative ideas: an extra tilt-up seat next to the driver; a system of straps to fix the luggage on the roof rack; a pocket for holding maps embedded in the roof; a padded deformable dashboard with built-in radio-telephone and taxi meter; a windshield wiper with a double arm structure and vertical blade; a forced ventilation system and adjustable steering column. The prototype built had original and conspicuous orange paintwork. The City Taxi remains one of the first cars specially designed to transport passengers and luggage in an urban context.

Manzù’s research into new appliances and technical solutions, which began with the City Taxi, was paralleled by his studies of sports cars. He developed two projects that both went as far as the construction of complete models but without the mechanicals.

Прототип Fiat 850 City Taxi дебютировал в 1968 году на автосалоне в Турине. Как понятно из названия, автомобиль демонстрировал концепцию маленького такси для города. Казалось бы, ну что можно было бы придумать с автомобилем, построенном на базе простенького седана 850 Special Idroconvert? Но в Fiat смогли удивить.

Во-первых, машину сделали асимметричной. Справа поставили сдвижную дверь с электроприводом, а слева – обычную. Необычно для конца 1960-х, не правда ли? Несмотря на весьма компактные размеры, 850 City Taxi вмещал, не считая водителя, троих человек на заднем диване и одного – на откидном кресле рядом с шофером. Или это место можно было использовать для перевозки багажа. Еще в концепте был радио-телефон. В 1968 году.