"You might be a Fiat Freak if...."

By John Montgomery, with a nod and a wink to Jeff Foxworthy

If any of these are true, you might be a Fiat Freak! See how many fit you...

• You know the phone number of three Fiat parts suppliers by heart.
• You ask your wife or girlfriend at least once a year to get behind the wheel of the Fiat and (a. push a pedal, (b. turn a key or switch, (c. ask if a light comes on, (d. all of the above.
• You spouse or girlfriend asks "When are you going to sell that darn Fiat?", at least once a month.
• You get the Fiat Club Magazine "RICAMBI" in the mail and disappear for several hours.
• You are always checking the www.flu.org website for more cool stuff on Fiats.
• You have used the weed eater trimmer around the Fiat project car sitting in the backyard.
• You have more than 5 Fiat parts vendor catalogs in your home.
• You're the only guy within a 5 mile radius that owns a Fiat.
• You're the only guy within a 10 mile radius that owns a Fiat.
• You're the only guy within a 25 mile radius that owns a Fiat.
• You drive with the radio off to listen for mechanical noises.
• You drive around with your toolbox in the trunk.
• You check salvage yards for fresh Fiat parts cars.
• You can change a Fiat timing belt without getting anxious about the job.
• You set the engine timing by ear & the seat of the pants.
• You have more than 10 used valve shim sizes in you spare parts box.
• You know at least 20 people who own a Fiat even though they live hundreds of miles away!
• You are inspired by older orphan car owners that have Studebakers, Packards and AMC's. You think, one day I might end up just like them...
• You can remember where you were the last time you saw a Fiat Strada on the road almost as well as you remember where you were when President Kennedy got shot.
• You can remember the name of the Fiat dealer in your town.
• You keep a collection of old Fiat literature.
• You have spare parts for Fiat models you no longer own.
• People call you up wanting to sell you their non-running Alfa Romeo project car.
• People call you back months later wanting to give you their non-running Alfa Romeo project car.
• You spend quiet moments in the garage just enjoying the Pininfarina or Bertone styling of your Fiat.
• You check E bay for bargains on Fiat parts.
• You know your Fiat's oil filter part number and plug set part number by heart.
• You have a rehearsed dialogue explaining what a Fiat is to the kid at the auto parts store counter.
• You have to frequently convince a curious car "know it all" that sees your Fiat that the Fiat car company actually owns Ferrari and is still in business.
• Your new car is parked outside so the Fiat can stay in the garage!