Fiat 600 - Terjes cars - People's car from Italy

A Southern European folk car

The Fiat 600 was launched in 1955 as a competitor to the Volkswagen Type 1. It was a perfect car for 50s, 60s and 70s Europe. With a length of approximately 3,30 metres, it was less than the Volkswagen's 4 metres, but the interior feeling of space was at least as good as in the Volkswagen. Both models had the engine located at the rear, but the Fiat engines were water-cooled. The model was produced in several locations, including at Fiat's factory in Spain (SEAT), NSU in Germany (Neckar) and Zastava in Serbia (former Yugoslavia). Production in Italy ended in 1969. In Spain, the Seat 600 ended in 1973, while Zastava produced the model right up to 1985. Many of today's preserved classic cars are produced by Zastava. A significant number of cars were also produced under license in South America and in Asia. In total, close to 5 million cars will have been produced from all the manufacturers around the world.

Model history

Early models can be recognized by the fact that they had "suicide doors" and indicators located on top of the screens in the same way as Volkswagen. Also, early cars had sliding side windows until 1957 when they got side windows that could be rolled down with a crank. In 1960, the 600 D was introduced with, among other things, a beefier engine and indicators moved down below the headlights. In 1964, the doors were front-hinged. In 1965, the bumper horns were rubberized. Over the years, small changes were also made to the chrome strips in the front. In recent years, the Fiat 600 received a simple chrome strip in the front with a Fiat logo in the middle. The engines in the 600 were from the beginning at 633 ccm and produced around 12 HP. Later, the model got a larger engine, 767 ccm, which delivered from approximately 25 HP to 31 HP.

Fiat 600 Abarth

Real Abarths were cars rebuilt by Abarth. Many have rebuilt cars afterwards with Abarth parts to get sporting characteristics. The Abarth with an 850 cm engine produced 52 HP and a raw sound. You could also have the cars rebuilt with a 1000 cm Abarth engine and 82 HP. Abarth has supplied conversion kits where owners can completely or partially rebuild their cars themselves. For many, it meant that the cars were given an Abarth look with Abarth body parts and effects systems that gave the "correct" sound. I have also seen cars that have the Abarth look without the scorpion logo. There are several companies that supply high-quality conversion kits for classic cars. As one owner told me, you pay a lot for the Scorpion brands.

Seat 600

I know several Spaniards. When they talk about cars, they almost always come up with the Seat 600 - whether it was the family car everyone went on holiday in, or the grandparents' car. This is Spain's real people's car! The Seat Seiscientos D is a car that many Spaniards have fond memories of, and which I often see along the road when I drive around Catalonia.

Fiat Multipla

The Multipla was a phenomenal vehicle in the 60s. Just over 3,5 metres, 700 kg heavy and still room for up to 5 people with 2 rows of seats and 6 (!) people with 3 rows of seats. The platform of the model originates from the Fiat 600 and one can find several common design elements. The Multipla also received reinforcements in the undercarriage based on components taken from the Fiat 1100.

About the pictures

The photo of the red car in the top photo was taken in connection with a motor show at Sjøterrassen in Bamble 2022. With doors hinged at the back, it is a model from before 1963. The blue car in autumn leaves was standing along the street in Oslom 2023. The red Fiat in the next photo is pictured at a Classic Motor Show at Exporama outside Oslo. This is a 1966 model. The Scorpion badges indicate that the car may be equipped with component(s) from Abarth, but it is not known which ones. The Fiat 600 Abarth was photographed while it was on display at the Oslo Motor Show at Exporama. The Seat 600 with number 42 on the side, participated in a hillclimb in the lower Pyrenees, France. A fantastically beautiful converted car. The photo was taken in Arles-sur-Tech, France. The beige Seat 600 was photographed at a car collection in Canet-en-Roussillon outside Perpignan, France. The blue car, a Seat 600 E, is probably a 1968 model pictured outside a car dealership in Le Boulou, France, 2024. The beautiful 600 Multipla is also photographed at a car show in Perpignan in 2022.