CAP

The CAP company from Arco on Lake Garda had already built sporting cars on the Fiat 600 base in the 1960s. In 1967 it presented an off-road vehicle called Scoiattolo, based on an old Fiat 500 D. Wherever possible Perini made all body panels from flat sheet, which kept production costs low. The Fiat 500 floorpan was reinforced with rectangular sections, and the Scoiattolo was built on top of it.

The gearbox was fitted with a shorter differential that could also be locked. Tyres were size 5.50-12. On request an engine enlarged to 650 cc was available, using VW Beetle cylinders and pistons.

In 1969 the Super Scoiattolo was shown at the Turin motor show, a 4×4 vehicle in which the front drive could be engaged. Around 300 Scoiattoli and about 50 Scoiattoli 4×4 were built up to 1973. In 1973, after heavy investment (the expected forestry-office contract fell through), Perini had to sell the company to BMC, which after a year’s break continued to build the Scoiattolo with Fiat 126 mechanicals.