Fiat 600

By the 1950's, after 19 successful years of production, the legendary FIAT 500 'Topolino' was showing its age and the task of creating a successor was again put in the capable hands of Topolino designer Dante Giacosa.  The result, the FIAT 600 saloon, introduced at the 1955 Geneva Motor Show, was a short, but roomy, fixed head saloon of unitary construction that could seat four people very comfortably within its wheelbase.  Two front opening 'suicide' doors similar to the Topolino were fitted and the car stood on four small wheels of only 30.6cm (12") diameter (without the tyres) .  It had independent suspension all round.   Fitted with a rear mounted, water-cooled, vertical in-line 4 cylinder engine of 633cc that developed 21.5 bhp at 4,600 rpm, it could attain 100 kph (62 mph) with an average fuel consumption of 5.7 litres per 100 km (49 mpg).  The clutch, gearbox and differential unit were all mounted together and a radiator was fitted to one side of the engine, with a huge fan to provide the necessary cooling.  A heating and demisting system, using the same fan, was fitted by FIAT as standard.  Limited luggage capacity of 30 kg (66 lbs) was available under the short 'bonnet', which also housed the spare wheel and a fuel tank holding 27 litres (5.9 gallons).  Because of the rear engine layout, a grille wasn't necessary and the blank front held a central badge with three tapered chrome embellishment strips arranged on each side, purely for cosmetic reasons. The rear engine cover had two large areas of louvres.

The 600 was the first rear engined FIAT of unitary body/chassis structure and was offered at a lower price than the Topolino.  In 1956, a fold-back roof version was added that opened the top of the car over the four seats.

Specification – both saloons
Engine: 4 vertical in-line cylinders, overhead valves, water cooled of 633cc giving 22bhp at 4,600rpm rear mounted.
Cooling System: Water and water pump.
Engine Lubrication: Pressure
Maximum Speed: 100 kph (62mph)
Fuel Consumption: 5.7 litres per 100 km (49 mpg) pumped to carbrettor.
Gears: Gearbox and final drive combined. Synchromesh on 2nd, 3rd and 4th gears plus reverse.
Brakes: Hydraulic, foot operated drum brakes to all road wheels, with hand operated transmission brake.
12 Volt electrical system.

Suspension:
Front: Independent by transverse spring and wishbones.
Rear: Independent by semi-trailing arms and coil springs.
Telescopic shock absorbers to all wheels.

Dimensions:
Length: 3215mm (10' 6.25")
Width: 1380mm (4' 0.375")
Height: 1405mm (4' 7.375")