This Forgotten Fiat 500 Spent Nearly 25 Years in a Barn Before Becoming a £150,000 RestomodMotorBiscuitSaajan JogiaWed, September 16, 2026 at 12:00 PM UTCAdd us on GoogleA forgotten 1973 Fiat 500 R that spent around a quarter-century in a family barn has been given a remarkable second life. British company La Cinquecento has transformed the humble classic into the 500 Scattante, a heavily reworked restomod that made its debut at Italy's Tutto Bene Hillclimb on September 9.According to a report by Motor1, the car originally belonged to the family of La Cinquecento founder Max Kindersley, who chose the long-abandoned Fiat as the donor for the project. While its appearance remains rooted in the iconic Cinquecento, the engineering beneath the body has been extensively modernized.La Cinquecento retained the original car's rear-mounted, two-cylinder setup, but replaced the engine with an 802cc unit sourced from the Fiat 126. The engine features twin-spark ignition and is connected to a manual gearbox. Rather than chasing a headline-grabbing horsepower figure, the company has focused on improving the car's driving character, and it has not released an official power output.AdvertisementAdvertisementThat philosophy extends throughout the chassis. The suspension, brakes, steering, cooling and electrical systems have all been comprehensively reworked. The modifications also result in a significantly heavier car than the original. The Scattante is targeting a curb weight of approximately 650 kilograms (1,433 pounds), around 150 kg (331 pounds) more than the 1973 Fiat 500. That extra weight is the trade-off for the reinforced structure and upgraded running gear underneath.Image credit: 500 Design / InstagramThe exterior was redesigned by Milan-based studio BorromeodeSilva. The familiar Fiat shape has been given a broader stance through wider fenders and deeper side sills, while four round headlights inspired by period rally cars add a more purposeful look. Despite those changes, the car remains immediately recognizable as a Cinquecento.Inside, La Cinquecento took a more restrained approach. The cabin retains analog gauges, a two-spoke steering wheel and uncomplicated switchgear, creating a distinctly old-school environment that contrasts with the extensive mechanical work underneath.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe 500 Scattante is being positioned as a limited, made-to-order creation rather than a conventional restoration. Customers work directly with La Cinquecento through the 500.design website to develop their individual cars, with production planned at only a handful of examples per year.Motor1 reports media estimates of approximately £150,000, equivalent to about $202,000 at current exchange rates. However, La Cinquecento has not officially confirmed the price, meaning the final cost will depend on each customer's build.