Page 13 - Mediterraneo e dintorni - nr 9

l’auto del boom

FIAT 600, The cAr oF The boom in the Exhibition Hall of the Geneva
Motor Show on March 9, 1955. This
uilt in 2,695,197 units throu- famous and small utilitarian car
Bgh a production lasting three surprises for the avant-garde con-
lustres, the “600” is certainly the structive solutions and also for the
symbol that best embodies the Italian low consumptions that on average
economic boom, a decade after the guaranteed 100 kilometers with 5.7
end of the Second World War. It is liters. It was equipped with two do-
the symbol that immediately jumps ors and could carry up to four people.
to everyone’s mind when we think The newly engineered 100 engine
of the rebirth of our country, in was mounted in the rear and deli-
a period in which even the vered a power of 21 and a half hor-
car became an object of sepower at 4,600 rpm, able to push
mass consumption. the car up to the remarkable speed
It was presen- of 95 kilometers per hour. The list
ted for the price was around 590,000 lire. The
first time success was incredible, unexpected,
surprising. So much so that after a
few months the waiting time for deli-
very exceeded the year!
To realize it, the project was entru-
sted to the engineer and designer
Dante Giacosa, considered one of the
masters of the Italian motor school,
which was inspired by the mythical
Topolino.
The version with sunroof was also
available and then the “multiple”
version with hospitality for six
people or suitable for freight tran-
sport. The “600” was the subject of a
reasoned and long study that started
in 1945 and whose positive outcome
prompted FIAT to produce this car
until 1969. Not just a car: an au-
thentic breakthrough in the customs
of Italian society.

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