Have you got a classic Fiat 500 that needs a set of new tyres? Well, as luck would have it, Pirelli has announced a new tyre designed specifically for the legendary little city car.
The new tyre is a recreation of the Cinturato CN54, in 125 R12 specification, which was originally unveiled in 1972 – and it’s reportedly suitable for all versions of the original Fiat 500 built from 1957 onwards.
It’s not, however, just a straightforward reproduction of the original. Pirelli says the tyre benefits from modern technologies and contemporary compounds, meaning it can offer increased grip, reliability and safety.
Engineers at Pirelli also referred to the original specifications and design documents in the company’s archives while designing the new tyre. As a result, the CN54 should work superbly with the car’s factory suspension and chassis.
Pleasingly, the radial tyre also has a sidewall and tread pattern that’s similar to the original. It subsequently doesn’t look jarringly modern and out of place on a classic 500, allowing owners to benefit from improved performance while retaining the right appearance.
The new tyre forms part of the Pirelli Collezione range, which features tyres that offer a vintage look and feel in conjunction with modern performance and safety credentials. The range starts with the Stella Bianca, which was originally launched in 1927, and extends up to the Pirelli P Zero Rosso of the 1990s.
Specialists such as Longstone Tyres already have the new CN54 in stock, with prices starting at £66 including VAT; purchase a set of four from Longstone and you’ll get a fractional discount, bringing the total to £254.40. Whitewall versions of the Cinturato CN54 are on the way as well, for those seeking an extra dash of flair, but no prices are listed yet.
There are alternatives to the Pirelli, that said, such as the 125 R12 Michelin X. It also has a vintage design and tread pattern and, again from Longstone, can be had for £66 including VAT; the Blockley Tyre Company also offers comparable whitewall 125 R12s, each of which clocks in at £90 including VAT. Many sites list modern tyres of the correct dimensions, too, but they often will look out of place on an original 500.
In any case, the addition of yet another new tyre to the vintage line-up increases the options for customers and should make keeping classic 500s on the road a little easier. Those seeking the utmost in historical accuracy, that said, will need to bear in mind the fact that the original CN54 was only fitted in the last three years of the Fiat's production run. Pirelli did supply 12-inch tyres for earlier versions, though, so all historical validity is not lost if you opt for the comparatively more modern design.
As an aside, especially if you’ve never looked, it’s worth checking out the condition and date code of the tyres on your car – regardless of its age. A decent set of new and appropriate tyres can make a world of difference to how a car drives, compared to an aged set, and they will also be safer.
Keyword: Pirelli unveils new bespoke tyre for the classic Fiat 500