Fiat 600 Multipla

The FIAT 600 Multipla 1956 - 1960

In 1956, FIAT introduced a forward control version of the 600.  Like the 600 saloon, it had an integral body/chassis assembly.  Also like the saloon, there was the raised hint of a rear wing on the body sides.  With a van-like, slightly angled front and no protruding bonnet, road visibility through its one piece windscreen was excellent. From the roofline, the rear of  the body dropped away sharply and the engine cover had two large panels of louvres that were neatly shaped around the centrally placed, square type rear number plate.

The Multipla was offered as either a 4/5 seater, a 6 seater or as a Taxi.  Seating was arranged in three rows of two seats and the second and third rows could be folded completely flat to give a load carrying area of up to 1.7 sq.m (18 sq.ft) of floor space when required.  The driver and front seat passenger sat directly over the front wheels, but all the other seats were within the wheelbase.  Four wide doors had a pillarless appearance with just two hinges standing proud of the body, both in the lower half of the doors.  The front two doors incorporated the top half of the front wheel arch and were of the rear hinged front opening 'suicide' type. Small wind/rain guards were fitted.  The suicide front doors were retained for the entire production life of the Multipla.  Two wide passenger doors to the rear seats each had one fixed glass and one sliding glass. These doors were front hinged and opened forward as normal.  Access to the rear seats was easily achieved by pulling forward the individual backs of the seats in the second row.

The spare wheel stood upright, centrally, inside the cab under the shallow dashboard directly infront of the driver and front seat passenger. A large round FIAT badge on the front of the Multipla had one bright tapered embellishment strip each side of it and a dummy grille extended from the top of the strips to incorporate the top half of the badge.  Very large overrider/nudge bars were fitted to the front bumper.

The front suspension originated from the FIAT 1100 design which increased the front track to 1225mm (4' 0.25").  The rear track was slightly narrower at 1151mm (3' 9.31").

Specifications - 600 Multipla
Engine: 4 vertical in-line cylinders, overhead valves, water-cooled of 633cc giving 22 bhp at 4,600 rpm. Rear mounted.
Cooling System: Water and water pump.
Engine Lubrication: Pressure.
Maximum Speed: 90 kph (55 mph)
Fuel Consumption: 6.7 litres per 100 km (42 mpg).
Gears: 4 forward speeds with synchromesh on 2nd, 3rd and 4th gears, plus reverse.
Final Drive Ratio: 6.4 to 1.
Brakes: Hydraulic foot operated to all four wheels with hand operated mechanical drum brake on transmission.

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

Dimensions:
Length: 3530mm (11' 6.9")
Width: 1450mm (4' 9")
Height: 1580mm (5' 2.2")

The FIAT 600D Multipla 1960 - 1969

Outwardly, the design of the 600D Multipla was virtually identical to its predecessor. But it was revised to the 'D' specification that included the engine being increased in capacity to 767cc at the same time as the saloons in 1960.  The 'suicide' doors were retained.

Specifications - 600D Multipla.
Engine: 4 vertical in-line cylinders, overhead valves, water-cooled of 767cc giving 29 bhp at 4,800 rpm. Rear mounted.
Cooling System: Water and water pump.
Engine Lubrication: Pressure.
Maximum Speed: 90 kph (55 mph)
Fuel Consumption: 7 litres per 100 km (40 mpg)
Gears: 4 forward with synchromesh on 2nd, 3rd and 4th gears, plus reverse.
Final Drive Ratio: 6.4 to 1.
Brakes: Hydraulic, foot operated to all four wheels with hand operated mechanical brake to rear wheels.

Suspension:
Front: Independent, coil springs and wishbones.
rear: Independent by semi-trailing arms and coil springs.
Telescopic shock absorbers to all four wheels.

Dimensions:
Length: 3530mm (11' 6.9")
Width: 1450mm (4' 9")
Height: 1580mm (5' 2.2")