Buyer’s guide Fiat 600. Why Fiat’s perfectly packaged 600 is a better bet than a Cinquecento. The compact but highly practical 600 is a true Italian classic, says Malcolm McKay. Photography Tony Baker.
Scarce in the UK but sold in huge numbers and built for more than 30 years, the 600 is in many ways superior to the cheaper and more compromised 500. Dante Giacosa excelled himself with the 600: there was something wonderfully decisive about choosing a wheelbase of exactly 2 metres, and using it to build a car shorter than The Topolino but with twice the interior space.
Despite its diminutive engine size and overall dimensions, the 600 really was a ‘proper car in miniature’ – monocoque construction with four seats and a four-cylinder, water-cooled engine. It had 12-volt electrics, flashing indicators, twin electric wipers, heating, stalk controls for lights and indicators (from 1957), an interior light and a lamp in the engine compartment as standard – all rare on economy models of the mid-’50s. The Fiat had a remarkably spacious interior for its size, was also available as a Convertible with fulllength sunroof and had all-round independent suspension, with semi-trailing arms at the back.
The 600’s floorpan was so good that it inspired numerous small-volume spin-offs, notably the gorgeous ‘double-bubble’ Abarth 750, the rapid 1000TC, plus the Bialbero and Monomille sports coupés. Giacosa used it for the forward control 600 Multipla – an adaptable vehicle that could be transformed from a six-seater minibus into a flat-floored van in minutes. Ghia produced roofless Jolly 600s and Multiplas, while Autobianchi came up with the Stellina two-seater sports car that surely inspired Fiat’s 850 Spider.
Original right-hand-drive 600s are now rare in the UK and, among the left-hookers, you’re as likely to see a Serbian-made Zastava or Spanishbuilt Seat as an Italian-factory Fiat. Differences are not great, except that Seats were produced up to ’73, four years after Italian manufacture ended (plus there was a stretched four-door 800 from ’64-’67), and Zastavas up to ’85, with 843cc from ’79. Both used some different components (even wheel bearings on the Zastava) and are worth significantly less than genuine Latin-built 600s.
They rust everywhere, but it’s best to walk away if the chassis legs have gone. You can easily spend more than the car is worth on restoration. Parts availability is good (though trickier on early cars) and there are many options for uprating with original tuning parts, or more modern ones. In ’58, the Abarth 750 would get to 60mph in 22.7 secs and top 80mph – but it cost more than a MkII Ford Zephyr in the UK.
On the road
The 600D engine was significantly smoother and quieter than the earlier unit and noticeably more powerful, though both feel hard pressed and make plenty of noise with a full load uphill. Excessive rattling can be down to worn spacers between the valve rockers. Gutless performance, if not accompanied by excessive smoke indicating worn bores, may just be a tired or maladjusted carb. Check the heater blows warm air without fumes, especially when the engine is still cool.
The easiest uprating method is to drop in a 70bhp Autobianchi A112 Abarth motor, though it will need a front rad to keep it cool. First-series 850 engines look right, but rotate the opposite way, needing clever mods to avoid four reverse gears and one forward. Late Seats and Zastavas may come with larger engines, but were cheaply built and invariably thrashed, only recently becoming collectable in their home countries.
The ride was always fairly hard and bouncy, but the handling was good, with predictable understeer gently increasing with more throttle. Wayward behaviour indicates wear in the steering box, idler, linkages and kingpins; all can be rebuilt except that new gears are NLA for the steering box, so a good second-hand unit may be required. A conversion to a double-wishbone front end with coils is available for £834. The drum brakes are fine for standard cars, if well-maintained; upgrades to front discs are available (at £594). A transmission handbrake was fitted until November 1959. It should only be used when stationary and is prone to leaking oil inside the drum, which is hard to cure.
OWNER’SVIEW
Tommy Cerrone
“I bought this 600 in 2009,” recalls Cerrone. “Tony [Castle-Miller] at Middle Barton Garage Told me about it – it’s done just 19,000 miles from new and was off the road for 30 years. It had its last MoT in 1972 when it was less than eight years old. I’ve spent a fortune on it, but it’s just about finished now and is running in. “You can get most of the parts; fortunately almost everything on this car is original, although the new badge on the front is plastic. I’m not as confident with it yet as I am with my Multipla – I’d drive that anywhere – but it’s a lovely little car. It really just needs to be used, after being laid up for so long. I also have a Fiat 500 saloon and three Giardinieras, so you could say I’m fanatical about small Italian cars!”
The knowledge
WHAT TO PAY
Show/rebuilt Abarth 1000 £50,000
Show/rebuilt Multipla £20,000
Show/rebuilt 600 (Convertible) £10k (£15k)
Average 600 (restoration) £5000 (£1000)
PARTS PRICES
Front panel £144
Rebuilt engine c£2400
Water pump £114
Clutch kit £186
Exhaust system £60
Steering idler (exchange) £108
Brake master cylinder (600D) £42
CLUBS Fiat Motor Club 020 8372 4028; www.fiatmotorclubgb.com Sporting Fiats Club 01664 822395; www.sportingfiatsclub.com
BOOKS Fiat & Abarth 500, 600 & Seicento Malcolm Bobbitt, Veloce Fiat 600, 600D & Multipla Workshop Manual Veloce / Brooklands Great Small Fiats Phil Ward, Veloce
SPECIALISTS
Middle Barton 01869 340289 Ricambio 020
8669 3800 Auto Rossa 01425478648
Moto Bambino 01204 794545 Ritz Handels
www.fiat600.net Guy Moerenhout 0032 3449
0016 Holtmann & Niedergerke 0049 5231
61790 Fiat 500 Ricambi 0031 478 560009
One to buy £7995
Year of registration 1964 Recorded mileage 57,897km Vendor Classic Chrome, London; tel: 020 8876 8171 For Lowmileage; lovely condition; drives sweetly Against Nicely renovated, but no bills for it.
This delightful 600D is in fine fettle. There’s no paperwork to confirm the mileage, but it tallies with the condition and vendor Garry Shortt says that it’s correct according to the former owner. The car is on Italian plates but will be UK-registered once it has a fresh MoT (due after our visit) and comes with a letter from Fiat’s homologation executive to confirm when it was built.
The 600D was repainted before it came to the UK last year and is mint bar a few chips on the lower driver’s (suicide) door hinge and a surface rusted crack where it shuts. The brightwork looks to be original – with minor pitting that you barely notice – and both bumpers are immaculate.
There are a few tiny marks on the factory vinyl upholstery and a small crack in the wheel. If anything, it’s even better underneath, where it has been thoroughly refurbished. The critical chassis legs are perfect at both ends, as are all of the suspension parts, and everything has been properly sealed. The exhaust appears recent, likewise the barely worn 145×12 Sava Effectas. There are no obvious engine leaks, or any signs of oil and coolant mixing. The lubricant was a bit dark, but the car will be serviced before sale. The engine starts eagerly after churning, with no smoke. It’s a little lumpy from cold, but soon settles and picks up quite well as long as you rev it. The steering is sharp, the gearchange slick and the brakes progressive, with a firm pedal.
Our verdict
Decades of neglect, bodging with incorrect parts and poor rebuilds make finding a good 600 a challenge; if in doubt, ask a specialist to inspect it. Early cars are cute but slow and hard to source spares for; a 1964/’65 600D may be the ideal choice. Find a good 600, and you will have a fun, practical classic whose all-round abilities will surprise and entertain you.
FOR
• Ultra-compact four-seater
• Good parts availability
• Readily tuned for improved performance
• Highly usable and practical (off motorways)
AGAINST
• Rot-prone steel bodywork, so check the underside carefully – longerons in particular
• Tiring on long journeys
• Somewhat bouncy ride
It’s not as cute as a 500, but 600 is more practical, quicker and much roomier.
Fiat was resprayed to a high standard in its original grey Vinyl excellent; new rubber mats; matching Autovox radio Lots of fresh hoses on 767cc engine; bay very smart, too.
TIMELINE
1955 Mar: 600 launched; Oct: Zastava 600 production kicks off, in Yugoslavia
1956 Jan: 600 Multipla MPV added; Convertible (with big sunroof) option added later
1957 Wind-down windows replace sliding type. Seat 600 production starts in Spain; Neckar Jagst 600 manufacture begins in Germany
1960 Fiat 600 assembly starts in Argentina
1960 Autumn 600D launched (quarter-lights on front windows) – Multipla uprated, too
1962 Zastava 750 production ramps up
1964 600D gets front-hinged doors
1965 Multipla ends; some plastic exterior trim
1967 Jagst 770 added (172,000-plus built)
1969 Italian 600 production stops
1973 Seat 600 build ends (797,319 made)
1982 797cc Fiat 600R discontinued in Argentina (304,016 produced)
1985 Nov: Zastava 750/850 manufacture ceases in Serbia (923,487 built)
FACTFILE
Sold/number built 1955-’69/2,695,197 (Italy; 4.9m worldwide) Construction steel monocoque
Engine iron-block, alloy-head, ohv 633/767cc ‘four’, with Weber 22DRA/28 ICP carburettor
Max power 21.5bhp @ 4600rpm – 32bhp @ 4800rpm
Max torque 29lb ft @ 3000rpm (767cc)
Transmission four-speed manual, synchromesh on top three gears, driving rear wheels
Suspension: front lower transverse leaf, upper wishbones rear swing axles, coil springs, semitrailing arms; telescopic dampers f/r
Steering worm and sector, 3.3 turns lock-lock
Brakes 7.3in drums
Length 10ft 6 ½ in-10ft 10in (3215-3300mm)
Width 4ft 6 ½ in (1385mm)
Height 4ft 4 ¾ in-4ft 7in (1340-1397mm)
Wheelbase 6ft 6 ¾ in (2000mm)
Weight 1260-1322lb (573-601kg)
0-50mph 32.5-20.6 secs
0-60mph 35.5 secs (767cc)
Top speed 59-70mph
Mpg 35-55
Price new £470 (1964)
INSURANCE
£76, for a 30-year-old London-based driver, with full no-claims bonus and a clean licence on a ’64 600D as a garaged second car, agreed value £6000, 5000 limited miles. RH: 01277 206911.
THE ALTERNATIVES
BMW 700
Michelotti-styled saloon, coupé or ragtop with a ’bike derived 700cc flat twin in the back that helped to save BMW from collapse. It’s fun to own and drive, with decent parts support, and easily tuned for motor sport.
Sold/no built 1959-’65/174,609
Mpg 30-50
0-60mph 33.7-23.4 secs
Top speed 70-78mph
Price new £699 (1964)
Price now £7500
DAF DAFFODIL / 33
A novel continuously Variable transmission using belts and cones enabled the rear-drive DAF to live nearly 20 years, despite its air-cooled flat-twin: initially 590cc; up to 746cc from ’62. Rot and parts availability are the main issues.
Sold/no built 1958-’75/312,367
Mpg 35-55
0-60mph 50.7 secs
Top speed 50-63mph
Price new £553 (1964)
Price now £3500
Basic but chic and quite roomy; this is a rare RHD survivor.
In its element – on a fun back-road trip where you’ll revel in the handling and won’t mind the lively ride.
Clever Multipla converts from six-seater into a roomy van 600 outruns A35 trio through Madgwick, Goodwood, ’58
The 633cc engine was basic, with a non-counterbalanced crank, but the 767cc unit Was much improved and has easier parts availability. They last well if looked after, but show their age with smoke, excessive oil leaks/breathing and rattles. Check for signs of water/oil mixing (emulsion under filler caps) indicating a failed head gasket. Replacement instruments and warning Lights – of which there were seven – are hard to find; the latter were shared with various Ferraris including the 250GTO! Cooling relies on fan and a thermostat-operated flap underneath that opens when the engine warms. Check that it works (and hasn’t been jammed open). Interior trim is vinyl or cloth and new seat covers are readily available. There’s extra space behind the rear seat, which folds down to accommodate large items. Semi-trailing arm rear suspension was ahead of its time in ’55 and easily copes with more power. Four-wheel alignment and camber adjustment is worthwhile.The gearchange was highly rated when New and should still feel smooth, with synchro on the upper three ratios. It is robust and can handle uprated engines. Kingpin bushes (and steering links on early cars) should be greased every 1000miles and will wear rapidly if not. A worn steering box is expensive to fix.
Rot spots
1 Lower front valance and inner panel
2 Front chassis legs (on worst cars)
3 Inner and outer front wings
4 Lower corners of ’screen
5 Inner and outer sills, plus floorpans (£108 per side)
6 Doors
7 Rear ’screen lower corners
8 Rear chassis legs
9 Rear semi-trailing arms
10 Rear wings, especially around the wheelarches
