When the aliens come to harvest Earth for its talc and mangoes, I'm sure they'll give a quick looking over to our technology and culture. When they evaluate the content of the Internet, I think it's pretty safe to say they'll categorize it as a global infrastructure to distribute pornography and cute kitty and/or puppy pictures.
Yesterday I did my part for the car version of the porn, so today I'd like to give the cute pictures side of things the automotive treatment. So, dear internet, allow me to present to you your automotive cute overload, the Ferves Ranger.
The Ferves Ranger is a cousin of the Fiat 500 and 600. It uses a Fiat 500F's engine (2 cylinder, 499cc, about 22 HP), a Fiat 600's suspension bits, and a custom body/tub designed for off-road use. The company, Ferves, gets its name from Ferrari Veicoli Speciali, and yes, that's Ferrari Special Vehicles. I guess for Ferrari, this vehicle is pretty "special." They only made about 600 Rangers, between 1966 and 1971.
Early Rangers were 2WD, but they soon added 4WD capability, and, interestingly, a very low-geared differential to allow the car to "walk" slowly through woods or other rough terrain. It seems like a pretty useful and capable little off-roader.
But let's get to just how goddamn cute the thing is. There's something about the proportions— the big tires, the stubby front and funny little protruding butt that make the whole thing seem like a pit bull puppy or something. It's got a simple cute face with big round lights, and the fact that it's designed for rugged work makes it so much cuter. In fact, I think it's even cuter than the already-cute donor car, the Fiat 500, for this very reason. The small little guy that's trying so hard to do the big-boy work of a jeep. Holy crap it's just freaking adorable.
Look, if everyone else gets to squee all crazy about kitties and puppies, then it's my right as a car guy to lose my shit if I ever get to see a Ferves Ranger in person. I'm gonna squeal and run up and hug the damn thing until its indicator lights pop out, I fucking swear it.
C'mere you little nut!