PRESENZA - Beyond the Reach of Time
The Slow Rhythm of Creative Work
The Slow
Rhythm of
Creative Work

Work that Soothes the Soul
Work that
Soothes the Soul

The Satisfaction of Work Well Done
The Satisfaction
of Work
Well Done

A Young Man's Dream

Giuseppe Amendola gets very emotional when he talks about the Fiat 500: "I learned how to be a mechanic in Italy by working on this model. My youth was wrapped up in this car."

Giuseppe Amendola and the Fiat 500
Photo: CMC CD2004-0445 D2004-6171
  Giuseppe Amendola (left), a young
  mechanic in Italy

  Unknown photographer

Also known as the Topolino (Mickey Mouse) because of its small size, the Fiat 500 would continue to play a role in Mr. Amendola's life. When he arrived in Ottawa in 1968, he met Keith Collins, who owned a 500 Model A, which he had purchased from an Italian ambassador in 1948.

Giuseppe Amendola et la Fiat 500
Photo: CMC CD2004-0445 D2004-6172
  Giuseppe Amendola and the Fiat 500
  Model A

  Photo: © Bruno Schlumberger,
  The Ottawa Citizen

Neglected since 1956, the car was in a state of total disrepair. That did not deter Giuseppe Amendola, who did his best to convince his friend to sell him the relic. He finally got his wish, 28 years later, in 1996. As soon as he got the car, he began to restore it.

Fiat 500
Photo: CMC CD2004-0445 D2004-6169 Fiat 500
Photo: CMC CD2004-0445 D2004-6170 Fiat 500
Photo: CMC CD2004-0445 D2004-6168  Fiat 500 Model A during restoration
 Photos: © Giuseppe Amendola

He worked on it evenings and weekends for three years, and still remembers that special day in June 1999: "The car was finished. I poured myself a drink, pulled up a chair, sat back and admired it."

Fiat 500
Photo: CMC CD2004-0445 D2004-6173
 Fiat 500 Model A restored
 Photo: © Giuseppe Amendola