Davide puts the spot on Fiat 500 Custom Models - Part 16: 500 Zagato Zanzara

The Zagato Zanzara certainly counts among the most creative custom-made versions of the Fiat 500. This unique car, which was designed as a dune buggy, made its first appearance at the Turin Motor Show in 1969 and was the number one newcomer of that era. This project was brought to life by Ercole Spada, born on August 26, 1938, in Busto Arsizio near Milan. His collaboration with BMW, Aston Martin and Ford in the US made him one of the most renowned designers outside Italy. However, it was his work for Italian companies such as Lamborghini and Alfa Romeo that actually made him famous. Experts particularly acclaimed his designs for the Giulietta Sprint Zagato from 1960 and the even more popular Alfa Romeo 155 from 1992.

But why on earth was the car called “Zanzara” (i.e. mosquito)? Its body had the shape of a futuristic “Spiaggina” (beach vehicle), made entirely from GRP, making the little car look like a speed boat. It had no doors, but two simple sports seats covered in black leatherette and Borrani steel wheels so that it featured only very few details from the standard Fiat 500 saloon. The big round headlights, which protruded high from the body, the position lights and the classic hum of the original engine reminded Spada of a mosquito.

Thanks to its good aerodynamics and a low weight of just 445 kilograms, the Fiat 500 “Zagato Zanzara”, equipped with the original 499 cc engine, reached a top speed of 110 km/h. This little Spider was not produced in series; only two cars were made.