Happy Birthday Fiat 600
Vita gazette – In 1955, Italy switched to the Fiat 600. Built from 1955 to 1969 in almost 5 million units, it led to mass motorisation.
It was 9 March 1955 when, under the vaults of the Palazzo delle Esposizioni in the old city of Geneva, on the Fiat stand, on a raised platform, the new 600 dominated for the first time, the model that the Turin company had designed and built to complete a range at the time moved upwards – there were 1100, 1400 and 1900 – after the Topolino exited the scene.
The Fiat 600 immediately attracted attention because it offered a new level of functionality and ideal onboard space, obtained by moving the engine and traction to the rear. Designed by Dante Giacosa and his team, the 600 puts into practice ideas and projects that Fiat had managed since the post-war period to create an heir to the Topolino. The Fiat 600 had only two rear-hinged doors and was equipped with a newly designed engine, a 633cc four-cylinder that delivered 21.5 HP and pushed the new car – as required by the specifications – up to 95km/h. For this model, intended for a much wider public than the range of the time (it cost 590,000 lire), Fiat implemented a launch strategy never seen before.
Built from 1955 to 1969 in almost 5 million units, including many productions under license worldwide (Germany, Spain, Argentina, Chile, Yugoslavia) and the basis of many special series – the Fiat 600 was the icon of the Italian economic boom.
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