Lot 111: 1971 Fiat 600 D

Designed by Dante Giacosa, the Fiat 600 was introduced at the 1955 Geneva Motor Show as the replacement for the pre-war 500 'Topolino' and it was to enjoy just as long a production life. Similarly compact in its external dimensions, the new baby, four seat Fiat offered far more interior space from its two door, unitary construction body by mounting its engine at the rear, while its all independent suspension provided good road holding and handling. Small but effective, the water-cooled 633cc, four cylinder engine produced 22bhp and could propel the diminutive 600kg Fiat to 50mph in 29 seconds and onto a maximum speed of 60mph. Positively received by press and public alike, the 600 immediately sold well. Hub caps, more chrome and new side windows appeared for 1956, and the following year improved interior trim and a new type of Weber carburettor; the new 500, incidentally, again designed by Giacosa and based on the 600, was also launched in 1957. A higher capacity dynamo and numerous minor changes followed, including a resdesigned cylinder block and new carburettors, and a hand brake operating on the rear wheels rather than the gearbox. The 600D arrived in October 1960 with a larger 767cc engine producing 29bhp, improved brakes, a top speed of 72mph and a 0-60mph time usefully reduced to 24 seconds, and it was still capable of nearly 50mpg. Various minor improvements ensued, including in 1964 a change from a front to a rear opening for the doors. The last Italian-built 600D was produced in 1969, with sales having topped 2.6 million. Thereafter, the highly popular 500's big brother continued to be manufactured under licence in Spain, Yugoslavia and Argentina well into the 1970s. This smart Spanish-built Seat model is finished in yellow with a brown interior. Described as in good condition, it comes with a TuV certificate valid until January 2009. An ideal entry level car to the world of classic motoring.Cinquecentos groer Bruder bietet genauso viel Fahrspa hat aber mehr Platz! Dieser mit dem Fiat 600D bis auf wenige Details baugleiche Seat mit dem 770 Motor wurde in den letzten Jahren der Produktion bei Seat in Spanien gebaut, hat nur 85000 km gelaufen und wurde Ende 2006 nach einigen Jahren Stilllegung revidiert. Innen wie auen laut dem Einlieferer in gutem Zustand, wird dieser charmante Kleinwagen mit neuem TV und H-Kennzeichen angeboten.