When a car becomes irrelevant in the market, electrify it—that’s what Fiat seems to have done with the 500. And in a bid to make the ride appear more stylish, Fiat has teamed up with Giorgio Armani to create the Fiat 500e Giorgio Armani Collector’s Edition.
Distinguished by a dedicated door sill and side plate, this Fiat minicar features details designed and inspired by the Giorgio Armani brand. Dig the wheels with the designer’s trademark initials, which are also featured on the headrests. Available in Dark Green and Ceramic Beige, this EV will ensure you’re the most stylish driver on both Bond Street and SoHo.
Of course, this isn’t the first time automakers and designers have cohabited space on the street. Here’s a look at several more.
Muscle car fans will know this one: American Motors joined forces with Pierre Cardin to produce an interior for 1972-73 Javelin pony car, including the performance-oriented Javelin AMX. The interior consisted of multi-colored velour including the headliner, plus the distinctive Cardin emblems on the front fenders.
Another AMC fashionista co-branding effort is this Hornet Sportabout with the $141.75 Gucci designer package. This special edition gave us a purse-like interior with the classic Gucci colors covering the seats and door panels; the green headliner featured Gucci’s double-G logo. This package was available for 1972-73.
More prolific was Lincoln’s Designer Series, which began with the Continental Mark IV in 1976, its final year. Four designers, which included Bill Blass, Cartier, Pucci, and Givenchy, put their mark (pun not intended) on the personal luxury Lincoln. Each designer visited Detroit yearly to go over paint and interior selections. Per this article, Bill Blass’ association lasted through 1992, while Cartier’s and Givenchy’s endured through 1981. Pucci-edition Lincolns were produced through 1983. For 1984-85, Versace got in on the act.
If you are keen to learn more about a late-model association with a designer, look no further than the 2008 Bugatti Beyron Fbg par Hermès. Familiar with Hermès but the Fbg is throwing you a curve? That is a reference to the Rue du Faubourg, the street that the flagship Hermès store is on. Designer Gabriele Pezzini added the Hermès touch, which included special two-toning plus details like vents designed in the signature style of Hermès seams, the grille featuring the Hermès brand symbol, and interior surfaces and details (notably the door handles and seats) that supersede the Bugatti bits. Only four were built.
For 2007-08, Lamborghini produced 20 Murciélago LP640-4 Versace coupes and roadsters. They were painted Nero Aldebaran or Bianco Isis over a two-tone Nero and Bianco interior. Note the Versace motif on the doors, which also was repeated on the console armrest. Each car came equipped with Versace luggage, driving shoes, and gloves. Customers could also buy a matching Versace watch.
Source: www.classiccars.com