Another Italian Job: Fiat 500 Reborn

The joke used to be that Fiat stood for "Fix It Again, Tony!" But a deal with Chrysler and a new generation of safe and stylish cars (like Mini Coopers and Smart) have positioned the Italian automaker for a comeback, particularly for its two-door 500 compact, a hit remake of its iconic model.

Dan Lennon, former president of Fiat America, a club for Italian car enthusiasts, said the earlier incarnation of the Cinquecento (500) was very popular and "being able to bring the icon back is something a lot of people would be interested in.

While Fiat has several new cars, including the Grande Punto and the Bravo, that have helped beat its reputation for releasing sub-par vehicles, the bulbous 500 is sure to lead the charge.

The old Cinquecento (chink-way-che'n-tow), released in 1957, was the archetypal cheap car for the masses and a symbol of Italy's postwar economic boom. The tiny rear-engine model with two seats up front and a back bench still holds memories of first cars and first loves for many Italians.

The new model has kept the retro look, but puts the emphasis on safety and the Italian obsession for design and style. Larger than the original, it has been praised for its low CO2 emissions and won a slew of awards, including Europe's Car of the Year 2008, and top marks from Euro NCAP, an agency that assesses car safety.

The car is high on gadgets and personalization, with options ranging from a USB port to bizarre sticker kits, including a rooftop checker pattern or racing stripes in the Italian red-green-and-white.

While Fiat used to boast that the old 500 could be bought with just four or five paychecks, the new model is not that cheap, starting at euro11,150 ($14,400).

For those not looking for cheeky little cars back from the past, Fiat has said it plans to introduce the Alfa Romeo brand in the United States, though it recently delayed the launch to 2011.

Photos: Getty Images

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