The Globe and Mail

My first encounter with the Fiat Cinquecento was in 1996 after my first trip to Italy. To celebrate completing my university degree, I bought three plane tickets for my parents and me to visit their tiny hometown in the Campagnia region of southern Italy.

There, the Cinquecento ruled the road – it was everywhere. My relatives all drove them.

My cousin Maria and Antonio’s beige little Cinquecento was Barbie-like – tiny and whimsical, it whipped around deadly mountainous corners with ease and confidence. Jam packed liked sardines – five, sometimes six people crammed inside with no seat belts. I don’t know how we did it. But I fell in love with the Cinquecento instantly.

Back in Canada, my dad’s best friend Gerry still drives an old one. He’s a mechanic so it runs like a charm. And every time I see his little blue Cinquecento parked in front of dad’s place I grin from ear to ear.

Italians adore the Cinquecento; when the original Fiat “Nuova” 500 hit the streets in 1957, it captured the hearts and minds of the nation. Nearly four million were produced from 1957 to 1975. It’s as much a part of Italy as red wine.

And now, after 27 years, Canadians will finally discover what all the fuss is about. The Fiat 500 finally returns to North America and, judging by the reaction of people on the streets of little Italy in San Diego, it’s a knockout.

I met Canadian-Italians Peter and Lou Trepanier from Leamington, Ont., who were strolling the streets of little Italy while on vacation; they immediately flocked to the Fiat, sharing fond memories of it. They drove it in Italy – 1,000 km over five weeks from Italy to the United Kingdom.

“It’s lots of fun! Our nickname for this was our little Singer Sewing Machine because it would zing and get us where we had to go,” says Peter. His wife jumps in excitedly, “It’s a great little car! I’d love to have one to drive around. You just take the corners so fast!”

Sure, Fiat got a bad rap when it first arrived here back in the 1980s – you remember the old saying, what does Fiat stand for? Fix It Again, Tony. Well it appears most people have forgotten its past mechanical woes and are ready to embrace the new and improved Fiat 500. It’s possible – after all, Canadians have accepted Hyundai despite its disastrous early Pony days.

“With the entry of the Fiat 500, it’s bringing small cars to a whole new level. Although it’s a small car, it’s a car with a pretty big personality,” says Reid Bigland, president and CEO of Chrysler Canada.

The Fiat 500 is expressive in its design; it oozes Italian style and flare. Yet it’s modern and simple in a cute little package that’s instantly recognizable. It captures the original Cinquecento’s iconic good looks from the exterior and interior. There are funky 500 decals everywhere – on the front and rear tailgate, on the side of the front headlights, on the wheel covers and the dashboard. I wish they had added the Cinquecento nameplate, too, for extra authenticity. But I suppose 500 is easier to pronounce than Cinquecento.