Fiat Cinquecento Birba
The Fiat Cinquecento Birba was an imaginative concept created by Carrozzeria Maggiora and unveiled at the 1992 Turin Motor Show as part of Fiat’s design competition marking the launch of the Cinquecento.
Conceived as a lively convertible interpretation of the city car, it immediately drew attention with its striking yellow-and-white two-tone exterior and a matching yellow interior, perfectly capturing the youthful, carefree character associated with the Cinquecento name.
More than a mere styling exercise, the Birba proposed a clear vision of how the compact Fiat could evolve into a fun, open-top car. Its clean, roofless layout emphasized simplicity and enjoyment, while the bold color scheme and coordinated details reinforced its cheerful, extroverted personality, making it one of the more memorable entries at the show.
The warm reception of the concept encouraged Carrozzeria Maggiora to move forward with a small production run. For road use, the design was subtly revised with the addition of a roll bar, improving safety while preserving the car’s open-air feel and visual lightness. Although produced in very limited numbers, the Birba left a lasting impression by demonstrating the versatility of the Cinquecento platform.
Today, the Fiat Cinquecento Birba stands as a snapshot of early 1990s automotive creativity, a period when even humble city cars could become the basis for expressive and unconventional ideas. Rare and fondly remembered, it remains a charming example of how practicality, style, and a sense of freedom could coexist in a compact, characterful package.
1994 Fiat Cinquecento Birba One-Off
The Fiat Cinquecento Birba stands out as a rare and intriguing one-off, derived from a prototype of the same name first revealed in 1992.
Its defining roll bar was not merely a styling flourish but a practical solution for homologation and safety, allowing the car to meet regulations without losing its sporty character.
This singular example was hand-built in May 1994 by Carrozzeria Maggiora in Chivasso, near Turin, a celebrated Italian coachbuilder responsible for notable projects such as the Delta Evo Kat, Lancia K Coupé, and Fiat Barchetta, along with countless prototypes for Fiat, Alfa Romeo, and Lancia.
The Birba was later presented to the public at the 1994 Turin Auto Salon, where its bespoke design and unusual concept drew attention.
Exclusivity came at a high price: at the time, its construction cost amounted to a sum comparable to around €80,000 today, underscoring the level of craftsmanship and custom engineering involved. The chassis was extensively reinforced to ensure rigidity and safety, an essential requirement for such a compact, open car.
Power came from a 900 cc engine, modest on paper but well matched to the Birba’s light weight, delivering a lively and engaging driving experience. A manually operated roof completed the package, emphasizing fun and open-air driving rather than outright performance.
Although it never progressed beyond this single example, the Fiat Cinquecento Birba remains a compelling symbol of mid-1990s Italian creativity. Its unique status, combined with Maggiora’s craftsmanship, secures it a special place in Fiat’s history as a blend of imagination, engineering skill, and design flair.
