Lot No: 309
1960 Fiat 600
Chassis no. 100-784994
Engine no. 100GB0001940204
The Fiat 600 was launched at the 1955 Geneva Salon and was hailed as "an intriguing car with a future... [illustrating] how a rearrangement of the basic components can often result in a considerable saving of space". The task of developing the new model had begun early in 1951, when Fiat's forward design office led by Dante Giacosa had begun work on a replacement for the ageing Fiat 500 'Topolino'. Prototypes were tested in the mountains west of Turin under the direction of former grand prix driver Carlo Salamano. The power unit was a watercooled oversquare 633cc inline ohv four with a light-alloy cylinder head, mounted "back-to-front" behind the rear axle in a monocoque steel body which provided seating for four adults. The star attraction at Geneva, the 600 was "... designed for mass appeal in a country where everyone drives as fast as possible and fuel is very expensive" to quote Automobile Year. With a fold