La Cinquecento Unveils Reimagined Fiat 500 Restomod
New British automotive design and engineering studio La Cinquecento has made its public debut at Tutto Bene, revealing its first highly bespoke, re-engineered interpretation of the classic Fiat 500.
Founder Max Kindersley's long-standing connection to his family's Fiat 500 gave rise to La Cinquecento, which he founded with a clear ambition: to explore the ultimate expression of the iconic Italian city car. The result retains the scale, simplicity, and character that made the original so loved, while introducing a significantly higher level of engineering, performance, quality, and usability.
"I've always loved what the Fiat 500 represents," said Max. "It's simple, light, full of character and makes people smile. The idea was never to change that. We wanted to take everything that makes the original so special and see how far we could develop it - to make it faster, sharper and better engineered, without losing the reason you wanted a 500 in the first place."
The team based the prototype on a 1970s donor chassis. It fitted a developed Fiat 126-derived two-cylinder engine with a twin-spark ignition system, alongside bespoke or extensively reworked suspension, braking, steering, cooling and electrical systems. Development prioritises response, torque, and driver engagement over outright power or top speed.
Milan-based design studio BorromeodeSilva has shaped the exterior, adding widened wheelarches, side skirts, rally-inspired auxiliary lighting and a more purposeful stance, while keeping the car immediately recognisable as a classic Fiat 500.
The project began with Max's family Fiat 500, which had spent approximately 25 years stored in a barn. A personal project to return that car to the road ultimately grew into La Cinquecento, and the team is now building the prototype in that same barn.
Following its debut at Tutto Bene, La Cinquecento plans to produce a limited series of individually numbered cars, each developed closely with its owner. Prospective customers can now register their interest at www.500.design.
