VBL Group is proud to announce that Thomas Cordina together with his son Mark, with their beautifully restored 1950 Fiat Topolino, have been named winners of the 2026 ‘VBL Spirit of Valletta Award’, as part of the Valletta Concours d’Elegance which the VBL Group remain proud sponsors of; Malta’s premier concours for vintage and classic cars and motorcycles, held on 24 May 2026.

Set against the historic backdrop of Malta’s capital city, the Valletta Concours d’Elegance has developed over the years into a world-renowned event, celebrating some of the finest classic and vintage vehicles from Malta and overseas, bringing together automotive heritage, elegance, craftsmanship, and cultural appreciation in what we believe is one of Europe’s most distinctive cities.

The ‘VBL Spirit of Valletta Award’ was established to recognise more than mechanical beauty, the winning vehicle needs to demonstrate a clear emotional connection to Valletta’s timeless identity.

A family story of preservation and revival

Thomas Cordina’s authentic 1950 Fiat Topolino carries a remarkable family story. The car was originally bought by his father in 1976, after it was found abandoned in a valley, broken, dilapidated, and being used by children as a playhouse. While others may have seen only a forgotten and damaged vehicle, the Cordina family saw something worth preserving, and with that, in 2018 the restoration of this beauty began.

The car has remained part of the family’s story for almost fifty years. According to Thomas Cordina, “even the process of transporting and handling such a historic vehicle was an experience in itself, requiring patience, care, and respect for the car’s age and more importantly its story”.  Mr Cordina continues “What makes this Fiat Topolino even more special is its authenticity. It still carries its factory engine and the same chassis from the nineteen fifties, with the engine number verified by the factory records for the year of production.”

The connection with VBL Group and Valletta.

Dr Andrei Imbroll, CEO of VBL Group observes “The award-winning Fiat Topolino also reflects the same philosophy that drives VBL Group’s work in Valletta: preservation with purpose. Through the renovation and regeneration of historic property across the Capital, VBL Group has established itself as a specialist in restoring historic buildings and bringing them back into meaningful modern use, while preserving the historic values, character, identity, and soul that make Valletta a unique historic city”.

Through initiatives such as the ‘VBL Spirit of Valletta Award’, the VBL Group continues to support cultural events like the Valletta Concours d’Elegance, these events are keeping the Valletta’s cultural life finely tuned, much like a well-engineered and oiled vintage automotive engine. More than a historic city, Valletta is a living capital where heritage, community, traditional architecture, and craftsmanship all work together in seamless motion.