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Smart-y Pants

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When we were in Italy, we had the privilege drive a Smart Car. We loved it, especially how it handled the twists and turns of the Amalfi coast, while still having the power to pass cars on the Autostrada. They are actually available in the US now, and they get great gas mileage and are quite reasonably priced for a Mercedes Benz. I may consider one someday.

They are ubiquitous in Europe and I must say *Smart* really fits them. But there is a new trend over there in advertising, at least in Paris. The first day we started walking around, we were spotting them left and right, but with advertising slogans covering them. I think *Smart* was beginning to have a new meaning for these cars.

I started snapping shots every time I saw one.

These are like traveling billboards, advertisements on wheels.

This one is a feminine version, advertising a spa. That butterfly is very graceful looking. Even the font is delicate.

This was double-duty at the Eiffel Tower. It looks like someone turned *2*!

It was fun trying to guess who and what they were advertising. Anyone want to take a stab at this one?

Others were pretty easy. Some companies are universal it seems. Century 21 Real Estate wants to sell you the good life in Montmartre!! Perhaps that was Amelie’s agent?

And perhaps no picture better exemplifies the very meaning of why this car was aptly named…the *Smart Car*.

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melissa @ the inspired room
November 3rd, 2007
I took almost the same pictures when I was there last November. I couldn’t believe how people parked. Crazy! LOL!
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Crazy yes! I don’t know if I’d have the guts to do it…..
xoxo
Robin

Paris Parfait
November 5th, 2007
So cute! Yes, the Smart cars are everywhere, precisely because of the issue depicted in your last photo – lack of parking space! They are great for the city, but I wouldn’t want to be on the motorway in one, with big lorries whizzing past. xo
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Tara,
You just have to be the one *whizzing past*!
xoxo
Robin

stephanie
November 5th, 2007
Yes! Yes! Loved seeing these ALL over…especially in Barcelona. They can squeeze into the tinest parking spot. We spotted one sitting on the sidewalk one day!
I saw a local car dealership selling them, but have not seen any on our streets.
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Stephanie,
We have seen 2 where we are. They just stand out like a sore thumb here…being so teeny-tiny! I would not want to get in front of a giant gas-guzzling SUV in one of those….
xoxo
Robin

Maryann@FindingLaDolceVita
November 5th, 2007
They are cute as a button

Laume
November 12th, 2007
My husband didn’t mind staying home while we say cathedrals and castles but he was really envious of all the Smart cars and Minis we saw. The thing he was most excited about was when we told him there was a Mini dealer just around the corner from our hotel in Paris. He wants to buy a Smart car but I think they’d be impractical here in the mountains. I told him when we retire and move, become “flatlanders” again, he can buy one.
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I think they are both cute. I like mini’s too! Yeah, probably would not be good in a major snowstorm!
xoxo
Robin

smart car
April 30th, 2008
the smart car is newly invented in the usa,The reason the smart car gets worse mileage here in the US is because of the catalytic converters used here are inferior to the ones used in europe.

smart car europe
May 2nd, 2008
The smart car is newly invented in urope but became very famous.

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