'Car Talk' Host's Old Fiat Being Auctioned For WBEZ

Wiesenfelder And HIs Fiat

CARS.COM Sr. Editor JOE WIESENFELDER is auctioning off a 1979 FIAT Spider purchased from NPR "CAR TALK" co-host TOM MAGLIOZZI 10 years ago, and the proceeds will go to CHICAGO PUBLIC MEDIA noncommercial Talk WBEZ/CHICAGO.

WIESENFELDER's purchase and trek with the car from CAMBRIDGE, MA back to CHICAGO became the basis of an extended bit on "CAR TALK," and the convertible with history is now being donated through the show's Vehicle Donation Program to raise money for WBEZ. The auction will run on CARS.COM through SEPTEMBER 12th at 6p.

"JOE WIESENFELDER's generosity and that old FIAT are symbols of the eternal hope of the public radio community," said WBEZ VP/Strategic Communications DANIEL ASH. "We sell old jalopies to help pay the bills. Seriously, WBEZ is deeply grateful for the thousands of CAR TALK fans who help power public radio. It's gestures such as this one that make our brand of media truly unique."

"If you would like a nicely appointed -- well, I should just say appointed -- FIAT convertible just in time for winter, this might be the car for you.  And you would be helping raise money for NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO affiliate WBEZ," said WIESENFELDER. "I make no claims about the car other than it is, indeed, a car. It started the last time I was in it, and nothing has fallen off of it for at least a week."

"You mean it's still running?" joked TOM MAGLIOZZI. "I never should have given him that fire extinguisher."

"Most of his cars simply burn up, or turn to rust and blow away," added his brother and co-host RAY MAGLIOZZI. "If I don't crush them first."

« see more Net News