Fiat · 1955–1969
Fiat 600: history and buying advice
The small rear-engined family car that got Italy moving after the war. This is the overview.
History
After the war Fiat sought a successor to the Topolino. That became Project Tipo 100, led by Dante Giacosa. The 1951 brief: room for four people, about 450 kilos and at least 85 km/h. Five prototypes were built between 1952 and 1954.
On 9 March 1955 the Fiat 600 stood at the Geneva motor show. It was the first Fiat with the engine at the rear: a water-cooled 633 cc four-cylinder with 23 hp (22 hp in some sources). The car had a monocoque body and independent suspension all round. It cost 590,000 lire, less than the 625,000-lire Topolino Belvedere, and you could pay in instalments.
In 1956 came the Multipla, a six-seat minibus. In 1960 the 600 became the 600 D, with a 767 cc engine. In May 1964 the doors became front-hinged. Per version: 600 D and 600 Multipla.
On 18 May 1969 the last of 2,695,197 Fiat 600s rolled off the line in Turin. Outside Italy it carried on for a long time: SEAT in Spain (until 1973), Zastava in Yugoslavia (until 1985), NSU-Fiat in Germany as the Jagst, and Fiat Argentina (until 1982, called the ‘Fitito’ there). Worldwide the total is almost five million. Also read Where it all began.
Key data
| Engine | 4 cylinders in line, water-cooled, at the rear |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 633 cc (1955), 767 cc (600 D, from 1960) |
| Power | 23 hp (633 cc), 29 hp (767 cc) |
| Gears | 4 |
| Weight | just under 600 kg empty |
| Built in Turin | 2,695,197 (1955–1969) |
| Licence-built | SEAT, Zastava, NSU-Fiat, Fiat Argentina and others |
What to check when buying
- Look for rust in the floor, sills, wheel arches and at the bottom of the doors. Remove the mats and also look in the front compartment.
- The 600 is water-cooled, with the radiator next to the engine at the rear. Let it warm up and watch the temperature, leaking hoses and the water pump.
- Until May 1964 the doors are hinged at the rear. Check that the doors close properly and do not sag.
- There are many licence builders: SEAT, Zastava, NSU-Fiat and Fiat Argentina. Parts often look alike, but not everything fits. Know what you are buying.
- Compare the chassis number with the papers. If the car comes from Italy or Spain, see our page Buying a motorcycle in Italy; for a car the procedure at the RDW (Dutch vehicle authority) is the same.
- Join a Fiat club. They know where to find parts. See our page Clubs.
SourcesMotor1: Fiat 600 (1955-1969), 70 years (English)Lancaster Insurance: the Fiat 600D (English)
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