Fiat

In March 1955 the Fiat 600 was introduced. It became a hugely succesful car and an icon of the Italian economic boom of the late fifties and early sixties. It was designed by Dante Giacosa and could accomodate four people within limited space thanks to the rear engine design which allowed for more cabin space. The car was powered by a modest 633 cc four- cylinder, watercooled engine which produced 21 hp, limiting the top speed to 95 km/h. At the January 1956 Brussels Motor Show, the 600 Multipla was introduced, a mini MPV with three rows of seats that could carry six people inside. Almost 2.7 million cars were produced at Fiat's Mirafiori plant in Turin and on top of that many units were built under licence in countries such as Spain (Seat 600), Germany (Jagst 600), former Yugoslavia (Zastava 750), South America and Australia.

See also:  Abarth 750, 850 / NSU-Fiat Jagst / Seat 600

1955

In September 1960 the 600 received an update and was now called 600 D. It had a bigger, 767 cc engine and received some minor exterior modifications. In May 1964 the rear-hinged doors were replaced by front-hinged units. The Multipla was discontinued in the spring of 1967 and replaced by the Fiat 850 Familiare. 

1960