British automotive studio La Cinquecento has officially unveiled the 500 Scattante. It is a custom-built restomod of Italy’s famous classic city car. The project avoids the modern trend of making old cars excessivelyfast and powerful. It does not chase extreme power figures.
The newly formed company aims to deliver a purposeful second life to Italy’s iconic microcar by balancingtasteful aestheticupdates with refined mechanical engineering.
“Built from the ground up, it’s a serious reworking of one of the most charming cars ever made,”saidLa Cinquecento. “The proportions, simplicity and unmistakable character are all still there; underneath, almost everything has been reconsidered.”
Forgotten barn find inspired the new company
The idea started with a car owned by the company's founder, Max Kindersley. The Fiat belonged to his family and had sat unused in a barn for about 25 years. Restoring it eventually inspired him to launch a dedicated car-building business.
Every new build uses an original 1973 model
Each Scattante starts life as an original 1973 model. The team keeps the car's classic shape and proportions intact. However, the mechanical parts underneath are completely redesigned.
An enlarged engine drives the car's rear wheels
Power comes from an engine based on the later Fiat 126 unit. The engine sits behind the rear seats and has been enlarged to about 802cc. It drives the rear wheels and is tuned for sharp response rather than sheer speed.
Italian designers gave the vehicle a tougher stance
Milan design studio BorromeodeSilva helped create the new look. The exterior features wider wheel arches, subtle side skirts, and rally-style spotlight lamps. These additions give the small car a tougher stance on the road.
The cabin design remains deliberately simple and uncluttered
The interior has been kept deliberately simple and uncluttered. Modern gadgets have been left out to protect the car's original charm. The team wanted to preserve the basic character that made the classic Fiat so popular.
Extensive mechanical upgrades keep the curb weight low
The car weighs just 650 kg (1400 pounds) and features extensive mechanical upgrades. Engineers redesigned the suspension, brakes, steering, cooling, and electrical wiring. These changes make it a proper engineering overhaul rather than just a quick cosmetic job.
The firm will handcraft only a few cars
La Cinquecento plans to build only a handful of cars each year. Every model will be built to order for individual buyers. Performance and speed numbers have not yet been released.
