Hello everyone,

I was not sure where a question like this would fit, but I thought I would give it a shot. My dad is from Torino, Italy, and my grandfather worked for FIAT for many years. In the 1950s, maybe around 1956 when my dad was very little, my grandfather gave him a teddy bear that was apparently issued to workers of FIAT. Assuming any of this story is true, I am on the hunt for such bear specifically for my dad, but of course cannot find any information on it. The bear supposedly had rubber pellets in him, which I have read was common for 1950s bears....if anyone has any clue or remember something similar in their family history, please let me know! When my relatives immigrated to the US long ago, the bear was left behind. I would love to reunite said childhood icon with my dad if I can!

Has anyone heard of FIAT creating teddy bears, and if so, where to find vintage FIAT bears?? Any information or stories at all would be insightful. Thank you.

PS. I apologize if this is the incorrect place for such a topic.

welcome to the forum

Ive asked fred http://www.facebook.com/FredtheFiatBear?ref=ts

Oh why thank you! I had not thought about Fred the Fiat Bear...certainly a step in the right direction.

Fred is looking into it...

Some additional information I have found, this bear also made a squeaky / quacking kind of sound when you squeezed his bottom. He may have been a sitting bear with his head turned a little. He is definitely from Fiat, and definitely from Italy! haha

I've never personally heard of a FIAT Teddy Bear, but it's possible one was given to workers for their children. I say this because I have an old book, or magazine if you prefer, which is basically a profile of the company and dates from the late '60s.

Of course I don't know exactly where it is now but I do remember that in addition to details of their non-car activities; trucks, trains, aircraft etc., I'm pretty certain there was also a section on the staff welfare programmes they had such as canteens and medical care.

They very much liked to be a "Family" as were other companies at the time, notably the U.S. arm of GM so it's quite possible they gave gifts to help promote that.

The Beard said:

I've never personally heard of a FIAT Teddy Bear,

Click to expand...

don't let Fred hear you say