For the first time, 30 vintage FIAT 500s parade in Monaco during the Monegasque Red Nose Day and… a complete success for the SMILE mission!
A rich program of events that began on December 15 at 10:00 AM, for about thirty vintage models (Italian, French, English, and Monegasque) with a lap on the legendary Monaco Grand Prix Formula 1 circuit and a parade through other Monaco districts, escorted by Monaco’s police forces. Following, the exhibition open to the public on the esplanade of the Chapiteau of Fontvieille and the passage of the “Fiat 500 Elegance Contest” Jury members, who elected, among others, Miss Red Nose and Miss Elegance. In the afternoon, at 2:30 PM, 9 Fiat 500s opened the magical Frankie Christmas show, for the first time open to the public, with more than 35 clowns from around the world.
In the evening, all participants gathered at the “Festa di Natale del Comites” at the Rainier III Auditorium where the Jolly Ghia was exhibited to represent this 1st International Gathering of Fiat 500s and symbolize a car that is part of Italian history.
On December 16, in the morning, the official announcement of the five winning cars took place at the Deck of the Fairmont hotel during a welcome drink graciously offered by the DTC. On this occasion, the first “Cocktail Frankie,” specially created by the Fairmont bartenders for this Red Nose Day, was served to the delight of the guests.
In the evening, at 7:00 PM, on the Terrace of the Salle Empire of the Paris Hotel, the prize-giving ceremony of the “Elegance Contest” was offered mostly by Bernasconi Gioielli and awarded in the presence of Monaco authorities and all event partners.
The prizes:
Farthest Car: Mr. Michele Lacitignola from BARI with white FIAT 500 R
Youngest Car: Mr. Michel Sarandrei from NICE, with a white 1975 FIAT 500 R
Oldest Car: Mr. Chris Richardson from MONACO, with a 1962 FIAT 500 D
Miss Red Nose Car: Mr. and Mrs. Rinaldi from MONACO, with a red 1975 FIAT 500 F
Miss Elegance Car: Mr. Antonio Cassella, with a green 1962 FIAT 500 D
MCin Prize: Mr. Giuseppe Palmieri from GENOVA, with a black 1972 FIAT GIARDINIERA
The winners had the privilege of being displayed on the famous Casino Square.
Finally, on Friday, December 17, the remaining cars and volunteers from the “Les Enfants de Frankie” Association, at 11:00 AM, were invited to celebrate the success of the event during a cocktail offered by the Monaco town hall at the Exotic Garden, which would beautifully conclude this great gathering.
-Com & Pro organized the “1st INTERNATIONAL GATHERING OF VINTAGE FIAT 500s” in the PRINCIPALITY of MONACO under the Patronage of the Italian Embassy of Monaco, thanks to the collaboration of the Monegasque association “Les Enfants de Frankie”, the “Fiat 500 – Club Italia”, the Automobile Club of Monaco, the Monaco Directorate of Tourism and Congresses, the Monaco Town Hall, and the support of the Monaco-Italy Association, Bernasconi Gioielli, La Guepe Bleue, as well as Media Partners, Radio Montecarlo, Montecarloin, Il Secolo XIX, La Principautรฉ, podcastjournal, Ventimiglia.biz, Drive and the Comites (Committee of Italians Abroad).
