Historic models from 1950s-70s rebuilt with EV engines at Turin workshop Last updated: May 02, 2026 | 12:49 Owner of the Officine Gentile garage, Giovanni Gentile sits at the wheel of a model of a Fiat 500 Jolly Lido at his workshop in Turin. AFP Turin: In a workshop in Turin - the historic home of Italian carmaker Fiat - vintage 500 models are getting a makeover with electric engines. Classic Fiat 500s, made between 1957 and 1975, are being brought "into the 21st century", said Giovanni Gentile, owner of Officine Gentile. Outside the workshop, rusty hulks of the tiny, curvy cars are lined up waiting their turn. Get updated faster and for FREE : Download the Gulf News app now - simply click here . Inside, sparks fly as workers cut and weld the metal. The cars then get re-painted, re-wired and the electric engines are installed. The charging socket is hidden behind the vintage Fiat symbol at the front of the car. Many of the re-vamped cars are painted in pastel colours and some are convertibles.…