Fiat 600
Encyclopedia : F : FI : FIA : Fiat 600
- "600" can also refer to the later Fiat Seicento
The Fiat 600 (or "Seicento") was an automobile available as a sedan produced from 1955 to 1969. Measuring only 3.22 mlong, the top speed ranged from 95 km/h empty with the 633 cc engine to 110 km/h with the 767 cc version. The car had good ventilation and defrosting systems. It was the first rear-engined Fiat and cost the equivalent of about € 6,700 or US$ 7300 (590,000 lira then).
All models of the 600 had generators with mechanical external regulators. Braking was provided by hydraulic drum brakes on all four wheels. Suspension is via a unique single double-mounted leafspring-- which acts as a stabilizer-- between the front wheels coupled to gas-charged shocks, and an independent coil-over-shock setup coupled to semi-trailing arms at the rear. All 600 models had 3-synchro (no synchro on 1st) 4-speed transaxles. Unlike the VW Beetle, the Fiat 600 is water-cooled with an ample cabin heater, and while cooling is generally adequate, for high-power modified versions a front-mounted radiator or oil cooler is absolutely necessary to complement the rear-mounted radiator.
A year after its debut, in 1956, a soft-top version was introduced, as well as a six-seater variant — the Fiat 600 Multipla. It would now be termed a people carrier and was the first mini-van.
During 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, the car became very popular in countries such as Argentina, where it was officially designated the 600E but people call it Fitito. The Soviets copied this car as the Zaporozhets ZAZ-965, produced from 1960 to 1963, as Spain during the Franco era did with the SEAT 600 (also called the 600E, but different in several respects from the Argentinian model). The Fiat 850 is largely derived from the 600, but introduces a fully-synchronized transaxle, front disc brakes, and an alternator. The Fiat 850 is thus a popular source of 'upgrade' parts for the 600, but these upgrades can be difficult or costly as few of the parts can simply be exchanged without modification.
The total number produced from 1955 to 1969 at the Mirafiori plant was 2,604,000.
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The Jolly
In 1959 Fiat shipped a number of Fiat 600s to the Italian design house Ghia for conversion into the Jolly. Featuring wicker seats and the option of a fringed top to shield its occupants from the Mediterranean sun, these cars were originally made for use on large yachts of the wealthy (Aristotle Onasis owned one). With a cost of nearly double that of a standard "600", they were made in a very limited production. It is believed that fewer than 100 exist today, each one being unique.
| Fiat car timeline, European market, 1960s-1980s - |
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| Type | 1960s | 1970s | 1980s | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | ||
| City car | 500 | 126 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 600 | Panda | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Supermini | 850 | 127 | Uno | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Small family car | 1100 | 128 | Ritmo | Tipo | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Large family car (D & E classes) | 1300/1500 | 124 | 131 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1500 | 125 | 132 | Argenta | Croma I | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Executive car | 2300 | 130 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Coupé / Roadster | Dino | X1/9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Panel van | Fiorino I | Fiorino II | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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