Last updated on November 26, 2025
Today’s car began as 1949 Nash Airflyte 600 2-door sedan body panels and trim integrated into a 2018 Fiat 500e, resulting in an appearance reminiscent of a bumper car (U.S.) or a dodgem (U.K.). The vehicle is owned, designed and built by the Tupper family. I photographed this car at the Manhattan Beach Cars & Coffee and the Caffeine Cruisers Cars & Coffee events. It is finished in a two-tone combination of Nash Ivory and black, with a black Fiat interior. The Nash body has been reduced to approximately five-eighths of its original dimensions. It has undergone extensive modifications, including a shortened hood, removed doors, and a shortened wheelbase. The body appears to have been sectioned, and further examination may reveal additional modifications. The Fiat was stripped of its body, shedding 870 pounds in the process.
The 2018 Fiat 500e is powered by a 111-horsepower electric motor that produces 147 lb-ft of torque and is paired with a front-wheel-drive single-speed transmission. It draws power from a liquid-cooled 24 kWh lithium-ion battery. The 500e does not support DC fast charging, which limits its long-distance usability but is consistent with the vehicle’s role as a commuter car designed for short, daily trips. Slowing this baby down are four-wheel antilock disc brakes and features regenerative braking, which captures kinetic energy during deceleration and converts it into electrical energy that is subsequently used to recharge the battery. The independent front suspension incorporates a MacPherson strut system, while the rear suspension employs a torsion-beam axle and a stabilizer bar.
The first bumper cars were developed in the 1920s by the Stoehrer family of Massachusetts, who later founded the Dodgem Company. Dodgems or bumper cars, refers to a type of flat ride consisting of several small electric vehicles that are powered by an overhead system, which uses a conductive floor and ceiling. Contacts beneath the vehicle touch the floor, while the power pole’s contact shoe touches the ceiling, completing the circuit. A rubber bumper surrounds each vehicle, allowing drivers to collide intentionally as they maneuver around the platform.
The innovative design and craftsmanship of the vehicle contribute to a strong sense of community, bringing smiles to the faces of fellow enthusiasts. When Fiat promoted the 500e with the slogan, “One hundred percent electric. Zero percent boring,” Richard Tupper responded with genuine surprise—he said he had never driven an electric car before and was amazed by how fast it was. As an added benefit, he could hear the radio clearly while driving.
What a great vehicle to bring to a custom car shows, Cars & Coffee events, or just to share with fellow car enthusiast on a Friday night at Cruise at the Beach in Redondo Beach, CA. Thank you for riding along.
Frank
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