1967 Fiat 600D

VIN – 100D2133069
Exterior Color – Red
Interior Color – Tan
Engine – 767 cc Inline Water-Cooled 4-Cylinder
Transmission – 4-speed synchromesh manual
Current Miles – 62,268 miles
Current Owner – Purchased in 1988

Highlights of this Car

-37 Year Trenery family owned with California ownership since new
-All proceeds achieved will be donated to the “World Wildlife Fund”
-A fun and sporty Fiat with Abarth upgrades

General Overview

Launched in 1957 as the successor to the Italian favorite “Topolino”, the Fiat 500 set the stage for a charming lightweight vehicle capable of transporting four people. Though built and marketed as an economical family car, by 1960 the 600D offered a bit more power and refinement, growing on the reputation as a practical, fun, and easy to drive car, with a hidden capacity for higher performance tuning. With a 78.7” wheelbase, 126.6” length, and weighing in at just 1,290 lbs, the spirited 4-cylinder 767 cc engine caught the attention of legendary tuner Carlo Abarth, who had smartly tuned these cars to successfully compete against larger and more powerful competitors.

History of this Fiat 600D

According to historical accounts from Fantasy Junction proprietor and 37 year owner of this Fiat 600D, this car was purchased new by the first owner in Northern California and sold to the second owner, Paul Harsanyi, Berkeley, CA, the BBS, Borrani, and subsequently Cromodora North American wheel distributor, hence the car being outfitted with both BBS and Cromodora wheels. Paul and his wife enjoyed the car for many years, using it regularly for Bay Area commuting including regularly crossing the Bay Bridge where it one day rear ended another car. Though the damage was mild, the front body panel was replaced with a new steel nose piece and trimmed with an Abarth grille. The driver’s side front inner and outer fender were also repaired. With the car repaired and the original engine beginning to show signs of wear, Paul purchased an NOS 600D short block and installed it along with rebuilt components from the original engine. This engine, now with approximately 15k miles, is the same one currently installed in the car. 

Additional mechanical improvements included a larger Weber carburetor, 850 front disc brakes, an oil pressure gauge, a spun aluminum gear shift knob, and a wood steering wheel. Other upgrades included an Abarth exhaust, Koni shock absorbers at all four corners, and suspension modified for better performance by Bay Area suspension legend Bob Mello. Having heard that the car was up for sale, Bruce Trenery intended to purchase it but stepped back to allow Paolo Epifani (Nino Epifani’s son) to purchase it on the condition that if he ever decided to sell it, Bruce would be first in line. That opportunity came in 1988 when Bruce purchased it with 55,000 miles indicated on the odometer.

After his purchase, Bruce spent time in the passenger seat while teaching his son, Spencer, driving on the two lane back roads of Contra Costa County. Eventually, Burce offered it for additional driving experience while Spencer attended high school. Training on the Fiat, dodging Bay Area traffic, learning key shift and rev points, and dealing with football team hijinks displacing the Fiat from parking lot to front porch, fortified the resolve for Spencer to become the SCCA GT2 National Champion – all due to the Fiat 600D. In 1990, Bruce had the car painted 1986 Corvette red, a more vivid red than the original tomato soup color originally finished from the factory. As proprietors of Fantasy Junction celebrating 50 years of business and owners of numerous vintage sports cars, this Fiat 600D gets more smiles and thumbs up per mile than any other car the Trenery family has owned.

Over the years, as you might imagine with a car of this character, it’s brought a great deal of joy to the owners, friends, family members, and has been the subject of numerous memorable stories including the time it was used for a commercial involving nine full sized men in clown suits.

In keeping with the charitable qualities of these cars always giving back to the owners and seldom, if ever, asking for anything back, 100% of the auction proceeds achieved at the conclusion of this auction will be donated to the World Wildlife Fund.

Condition Overview

Today this Fiat 600D presents as a solid California car ready for continued enjoyable use. Having comfortably matured over just three owners, wearing the affection of time, the endearing character comes through in the honest finishes and delightful driving traits. The paint finish is presentable and consistent, the doors open and shut properly, and the hood and engine lid also exhibit sound operation. The window molding, emblems, and badges are also in good condition in keeping with the overall driver level condition. A set of 13” Cromodoro wheels are mounted at the front, wearing 155R13 78T Big O Legacy Radial tires, while the rear features a set of 13” BBS wheels wearing Michelin XZX 70 175/70 SR13 tires. Although the tires are serviceable, we recommend the next owner install a new set of tires if prolonged highway driving is anticipated in the near future.

Inside the car, the original interior remains in clean, serviceable condition, offering seating for four friendly occupants. Though the seating is comfortable and the materials are original, the seams have popped open in a few areas, having succumbed to the heft of the aforementioned full-sized men in clown suits. A pair of properly installed lap belts have been added for the front seats. A wood rim steering wheel, clean and simple dashboard, and excellent visibility are hallmarks of the 600 design. The speedometer is perched behind the steering wheel, boasting an ambitious 80 mph goal assuming plenty of both courage and caffeine for the driver. The floor mounted 4-speed synchromesh gear lever is comfortably in reach while roll up windows, map pockets, molded rubber floor mats, and “Musical Watch Veteran Car Club, Brescia” medallion (the club responsible for championing and organizing the retro Mille Miglia in Italy) all speak to the charming Italian traditions of driving. The front storage area is finished in matching red, and the fuel tank filler is accessible at the firewall. A full-sized spare tire rests upright in the forward portion, and the battery box has been lined with additional metal to fortify corroded metal typically found in this area.
Under the hood, the engine features a larger Weber carburetor and Abarth exhaust which add to the performance traits. The car retains the original chassis tag as well as the matching body stamping. The underside is clean and sound supporting the lifelong California ownership including an impressive solid floor, Koni suspension, front disc brakes, and correct components.

Driving this Fiat, one is immediately delighted by the eagerness of this 600D, though a bit shy on first launch, once underway, with momentum working in your favor, the fun truly begins. Best of all, every drive compels even monstrously large contemporary vehicles to slow down while occupants wave as though a Pixar film character has come to life. Brakes and suspension are appropriate for this era with notable improvement on stopping power due to the upgraded disc brakes and modern drum brake linings.

An icon of Italian history and a crowd pleaser wherever it goes, this California owned Fiat offers a unique opportunity for the next enthusiast both as a wonderful car and in support of an important organization, the World Wildlife Fund.

Items Included with the Car

The car is accompanied by a spare transmission, a car cover, a passenger side front fender, a driver’s side vent window, door glass with roller support, a spare rear side glass with rubber trim, two tail lights, four bumpers, a spare rear valance panel, a spare instrument cluster, a jack, a Fiat grille and bar emblem, spare carburetor parts, an Abarth manual, a Fiat 600D instruction book, and other miscellaneous spare parts.