La Cinquecento Fiat 500 Scattante
The La Cinquecento Fiat 500 Scattante is a bespoke restomod that gives Italy’s tiny city car a more purposeful second life. Starting with a 1973 donor, the British company preserves the familiar proportions while reworking the engineering underneath. The project began with founder Max Kindersley’s family Fiat, which had spent around 25 years in a barn before inspiring a dedicated car-building business.
Developed with Milan-based design studio BorromeodeSilva, the exterior adds wider wheel arches, side skirts, and rally-inspired auxiliary lights. These changes give the little 500 a tougher stance without overwhelming its recognizable shape. Inside, the cabin stays deliberately simple, maintaining the visual character that makes the original so appealing.
Behind the rear seats sits a Fiat 126-derived engine enlarged to approximately 802cc, retaining the rear-engine, transaxle layout. La Cinquecento targets a weight of around 650kg, with development focused on response and balance. Redesigned or extensively reworked suspension, brakes, steering, cooling, and electrical systems make this a comprehensive restomod rather than a cosmetic restoration.
La Cinquecento plans to build only a handful of Scattantes each year, with every car commissioned to order. Its appeal lies in applying bespoke design and engineering to a modest Italian classic while keeping its small scale and straightforward personality intact. The builder has yet to publish power or acceleration figures, leaving the finished car’s performance to be established.
