Art on wheels

Each work of art is inspired by the imagination of the artist - and that's why art has such variety. A car is a piece of art that can move.

Patima Jeerapaet, managing director of CIT Property Consultants, was so determined to drive the Fiat X1/9 Spider that he went on a diet in order to fit into the diminutive sports car.

The X1/9 Spider, produced in 1973, doesn't look like a traditional Fiat. Being designed by Bertone, the famous Italian design stable, it looks more like a Lamborghini or a Ferrari.

"I took a diet course for this car because it is a small two-seater mid-engined sports car with a Targa top panel. The first Ferrari cars produced in 1975 have a similar removable roof panel. This type of roof was copied by other brands," says Patima.

"I lost over 10 kilograms because I wanted to drive it. I then spent almost two years on repairing it."

There are fewer than 10 X1/9 Spiders in Thailand at the moment that are still in running condition.

"My car has a 1,290cc four-cylinder engine. My top speed is 140 kilometres per hour. It is a well-balanced car due to its mid-engined layout. It is very common for many small sporty cars to have engines in the middle of the vehicle. The steel used to build this car is of high quality, as seen by the fact that there is no rust," adds Patima.

He is crazy about his car's design. It was produced in Italy but the United States is his major source to buy spare parts because the Spider has gained popularity there.

"Almost all the leather in the car came from Italy and it is durable. Even though Thailand has hot weather, the leather hardly ever breaks. Some plastic pieces of equipment have broken, but they can be fixed."

The compact sports car is regaining popularity among manufacturers.

"Several auto-makers are concentrating on compact cars because they consume less fuel, which can help the environment," says Patima.

"Fiat is producing compact cars all over again. It has reused its old logo, showing that designs of the past can be recovered after many decades. It is a piece of art that can move. It is not necessary for art to stand idly or hang on walls in galleries. That's why I had to change my body to fit well with the art."

Thanadol Rila

The Nation

Ultimate in Luxury

The Luxury LS 460 is a wonderfully comfaortable car fitted with all mod cons, althoough not necessarily the most fun vehicle to drive.