Fiat 600

The Fiat 600 series was part of the postwar Italian 'Economic Miracle' and was produced in relatively large numbers from its debut at the Geneva Motorshow of 1955.

The new Fiat 600 was a two door four seat car with a 633cc (21.5bhp) water cooled four cylinder engine located behind the rear seats and driving the rear wheels.

One year after its introduction, two more versions of the Fiat 600 followed. Keeping with tradition, a version was released with a full length opening canvas roof, and possible the first true MPV, the Multipla (see picture at top).

The latter had three rows of seats for a total of six people, the two rear pairs of seats which could be folded into the floor, leaving a large flat loading area. Due to the increased weight the brakes, suspension and steering were all updated.

In 1960 the Fiat 600 range got its mid-life update when the 600D was released with an increased engine capacity of 767cc (29bhp) and various changes to the bodywork (the front windows got openable quarterlights and the boot lid got modified cooling grilles).

The Multipla also adopted these changes. In 1964 front hinged doors were introduced and in 1965 another revision of the 600D, with new headlights, larger fuel tank, and replacement of the oil filter element with a centrifugal unit was released.

A total of 2,695,197 automobiles belonging to the Fiat 600 series were built in all versions.