1963 Fiat 600D Sedan

Description

Italy's most popular car during the 1950s was the Fiat 600, introduced in 1955 with modern unitary construction and excellent space utilisation - it was capable of seating four adults in relative comfort. The wide-opening doors allowed easy access to the rear compartment while the rear-mounted four-cylinder engine allowed for plenty of luggage space up front. The 600D was introduced in 1960 with revised bodywork, a larger engine (with capacity lifted to 767cc) and better performance from the 32 bhp available. In 1964 the original front-opening suicide doors were replaced with conventional items and the final revision to the model was shown at the 1965 Turin Motor Show, with minor changes to the bodywork and interior. Production in Italy ceased in 1970 although the 600 was still being manufactured in Spain and elsewhere - indeed, 600s were still rolling off the line in Argentina in the late 1970s. One notable variant was the estate car known as the Multipla, a forward-control design that was a forerunner to many of the people-movers seen on the roads today. The 600 also did well in competition, with Abarth's 750 winning its class in the 1956 Mille Miglia while an 850 TC won the 1961 European Championship for touring cars. Today there are very few 600s still on the road in Australia - ironic given that Fiat entertained ideas of building a plant to manufacture the model at Fisherman's Bend in Australia.