Little Blue Coupe: 1972 Fiat 600
Let me start out by admitting that I know absolutely nothing about vintage Fiat automobiles, but I will do my best. This dark blue, vintage Fiat coupe is up for sale here on eBay out of California – keep reading to discover more about it!
Fiat began its journey on July 11, 1899 , and it was allegedly the only automobile company in Italy at the time, then known as Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino. Fast-forward a hundred years or so, and Fiat of today looks nothing like its roots – it is and has been the largest auto manufacturer in Europe for quite some time. Rewind to the mid-20th century, and we find the 600. The line that this car represents began in Italy in 1955, continuing into 1969, however it was produced in various forms in at least 9 other countries, well into the 1980s. It came with four-speed manual transaxle gearbox, and choice of three water-cooled engine displacements, none of which had anything over 100 horsepower. It had hydraulic drum brakes and an interesting suspension setup, which as Wikipedia describes it: “…was a single double-mounted leafspring—which acts as a stabilizer—between the front wheels coupled to gas-charged shock absorbers, and an independent coil-over-shock absorber setup coupled to semi-trailing arms at the rear”
The example with which we are presented here looks to be in reasonably good overall condition, however the seller offers us no details whatsoever, only a phone number to call for information. That means that we have to let the pictures speak their proverbial thousand words. What we can see is a tiny car in presumably driver-condition, with some kind of aftermarket 1990s stereo hung from the dash. We notice that the chrome bumpers are present and seem intact, but not shiny. We also see an interior and underhood that look complete but will need at least some TLC, and a sticker from the Netherlands on the rear bumper.
Again, I knew absolutely nothing about the Fiat 600 until I did some research for this car. I can’t say for certain which engine it has, or where it was made. To be honest, I had quite a bit of difficulty nailing down particular details about the Fiat 600 on a tight deadline. I honestly don’t know what’s right or wrong on this one, save for that hideous stereo. I’d be curious to call the seller and get more details, at the very least. Other than that, I think it’s kind of a neat car, that might make an excellent starting point for a restoration or Abarth clone/tribute. That’s what I think, what do YOU think? Did I miss a detail or get something wrong? Let us know in the comments!
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Comments
The 600 is about 100 more that the 500. Give or take.
In 1972, I drove a 1970 or 71 600 down to a fiat dealer in Columbus Ohio where I decided to buy a1971 850 Sport Coupe. The 850 was a lot of fun. You could wind it out to 6500rpm and get decent performance. I put red rider shocks all around.
I think the 600 had a similar engine. It was boxy which made the most of the interior room. The red low fuel light was cool.
“…than the 500…” Arrgh.
Barny Finds, gotta love it. Where else can you go from the smallest car, to biggest pickup you can buy in the very next post. I know I ruffled some feathers with my views on Fiats, but believe it or not, this is one of my favorites. Maybe because it reminds me so much of my 1st car, a 4CV. This is my favorite picture of one. I believe it won an award for something.
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/a4/96/9e/a4969e9ba0b4d0cfa563fb22d10f4239.png
Howard A, if I was going to be really fussy and nit-picky, I’d say the Fiat in the photo you posted is a Nuova 500, not a 600 like the subject of this article.
But I won’t, ’cause I’m a nice guy.
My own preference would be a 4CV as well, followed by a Nuova 500. If neither of the above was available, I might go for a 600. Not this one, though. The seller is asking Major Bucks….
I like. The car is so low that the driving lights have to be aimed upwards to see anything.
It’s what the bad guys drive in a Pink Panther movie.
” it is and has been the largest auto manufacturer in Europe for quite some time.”
VW may have something to say about that…..
check out the history and current, you’ll B surprised
My wife drove her 600 for several years, trouble free after the leaks were fixed. It was the Spanish version, a SEAT, built in Barcelona. It was a conversation starter wherever she went.
1972 as year of make is quite a puzzling matter to me, as Fiat stopped to roll 600s out of assembling lines in December 1969. For sure this model was produced for many years hence in other Countries (Germany, Eastern Europe, South America) but weren’t surely branded with Fiat fringes. Or the year of make is wrong or it is a disguised Fiat 600.
A bit of a mystery. Seems to be a genuine Fiat but then for sure not 1972. It has the larger headlights of the latest cars, but it also has the side chrome spears that had been deleted by then.
Without a photo of the data plate we may never know.
These are important cars. The 500 has become an Italian icon, but the 600 was the cash cow which Petro and Rex Rice correctly say was glñobally important. Here in Spain, popular motoring begins with the SEAT 600. Without the 600, Abarth would have been a different story.
I had one when a student, and drove the nuts off the thing. It handled pretty well, but needed technique….
Agree, something a bit strange here about the dating, first thought was it could be a Zastasva, made in Yugoslavia, but don´t know.
Here in the Netherlands the Seat 600 (built in Spain until about 1973 I think) was imported and sold with Fiat badges. As this one has an NL bumper sticker and what could be Dutch number plates the age could be correct.
Unsold
Ended: May 09, 2020 , 2:01PM
Price: US $9,900.00
Shipping: Free Local Pickup
Item location:Orange, California,