Car parked on same spot for nearly 50 years became a local icon

  • A car was parked in the same spot in an Italian town for 47 years
  • The 1962 Lancia Fulvia became a landmark
  • And, despite being towed away by authorities, the story has a happy ending

Published on Mar 25, 2024 at 8:30 PM (UTC+4)
by Amelia Jean Hershman-Jones

Last updated on Apr 10, 2024 at 6:27 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by Tom Wood

A car that was left parked in the same spot in an Italian town for 47 years became a local landmark.

People living in the area eventually started to feel affectionate towards the 1962 Lancia Fulvia because it had been there for so long.

The little town of Conegliano fell in love with the little gray Lancia, and it became known for simply always being there.

However, like many great love stories, one day everything came to an end.

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It was a fixture on the street as far back as 1974 after the owner parked up by a local newsstand and never came back.

It wasn’t until 47 years later that the vehicle was finally been towed by local authorities, Insider said.

Speaking to Italian newspaper Il Gazzettino, the car’s original owner, Angelo Fregolent, explained: “I ran the newsstand under the house for 40 years together with my wife, Bertilla.”

He would park the Lancia in front of his stall to unload newspapers from its trunk daily.

When Fregolent retired, so did the car, and it sat there undisturbed in its regular spot for nearly half a century.

Appearing repeatedly on Google Maps, it became something of a local landmark and tourist attraction.

Locals, tourists, and political candidates alike would visit the car to take selfies with the four-door sedan. 

However, all good things must come to an end.

Local authorities were forced to remove the car back in 2021.

Cars parking on the street had to be stopped in order to ease traffic through the roadway.

Thankfully, after much media attention and help from the Serenissima Historical Car Club, the vehicle wasn’t crushed.

Instead, the car appeared at the Auto e Moto d’Epoca show alongside other classics in nearby Padua in October of that year.

According to Virgilio Motorithe plan now is to restore the car.

Then, it will be parked elsewhere, in the gardens of the Cerletti Enological School, located next to the Fregolent’s home.

That means the nostalgic couple can enjoy the memories as they glimpse the car from their window.

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Amelia Jean Hershman-Jones

London-based Amelia cut her journalistic teeth covering all things lifestyle, wellness and luxury in the UK capital. Fast-forward a decade and the experienced content creator and editor has put pen to paper for glossy magazines, busy newsrooms and coveted brands. When her OOO is on you can find her spending quality time with her young family, in the gym or exploring the city she loves.