1964 FIAT 600

One of the last of the suicide door models, this genuine right-hand-drive Fiat 600 is in a cracking condition – and the unusual but highly attractive blue paintwork adds a cheery tone to what was already a very appealing car.

With only 55,000 miles on the clock, a figure the vendor believes to be genuine, the car was the subject of a recent recommissioning that addressed the car’s braking, steering and suspension systems. The wheels fitted to the car are believed to be Collotti’s; if so, then their presence adds considerably to the car’s already sizeable charms.

Offered with only a few minor cosmetic faults that would be easy and cheap to remedy, this lovely little car is ready for the summer. It is also being offered with no reserve, it’ll sell from the very first bid!

The wonderfully retro blue coachwork is in a very good condition. Jaunty and cheerful, it is offset beautifully by the gleaming chromework, pressed black-and-silver number plates, and white steel wheels with their huge chrome hubcaps.

The fit of the doors and other body panels is impressively tight and even; so much so that we suspect that the car has had some restorative work at some point in its past. That’s certainly not a criticism because whoever did it clearly possessed more than the usual talent.

It has definitely had a respray too, and this has been done well and it looks fabulous, it is worth noting that the colour is not the original, and there is some overspray underneath.

Not that either is a problem, as the latter could be removed very easily but as many of you will be bidding remotely due to the current restrictions on travel we wanted to make these points absolutely clear.

So, the flanks are still free of ripples and car-park dings, the front end is free of serious stonechips, and the four corners of the car are free of dents and scuffs. Combined with the car’s low mileage, they tell of a life gently led.

The badges are slightly patinated but that only adds to the car’s appeal; it is, after all, a classic that is well into its sixth decade and if it looked too perfect it would be the automotive equivalent of a fading actor who can no longer smile without wiggling their ears…

The vendor tells us that the wheels are thought to be the rare and highly desirable Colloti wheels, and they’re fitted with matching Kelly tyres, all of which have good tread.

Problems? Well, while the bodywork is generally very good, some of the window rubbers have perished and we’d recommend getting them replaced before water leaks start to cause problems. As for the odd stonechip, if it were ours we’d leave well alone and chalk it up to patina.

Still wearing the original Fiat 600D white steering wheel and instrument binnacle, the 600’s cabin is a riot of funk and unselfconscious light-heartedness.

The velour seats and matching door cards are from a n much later model (possibly a late FIAT 126?) but they’re very clean and tidy and free of the sort of rips and wear the originals are prone to, even if the door cards have curled a little over the years. Our boss has driven the car and he reports that the seats are like Goldilocks’ porridge: not too squishy and not too firm; just right, in fact. (We think the isolation is getting to him.)

The carpets are grubby and do have the odd hole in them; on a brighter note, lifting them reveals rust-free floors, which is the important bit. After all, even replacing the carpets completely wouldn’t be an expensive job.

The vinyl trim and headlining are a bit grubby too, and could do with cleaning but again they are largely free of damage and need only a little elbow grease – and time will be something most of us will have in abundance in the coming days and weeks.

None of the interior work would be hard to remedy and completing it as you use the car would be a good way of adding to its charms while simultaneously adding some value.

We’ve tested stuff like the wipers and indicators too, and they all seem to work fine.

The recent recommissioning included work to the braking system, steering, and suspension in addition to a full engine service. It now runs smoothly, starts promptly and drives as it should. We’ve driven it and liked it a lot, although we did note that the engine is a little out-of-tune; it might just need an ‘Italian tune-up’ along the nearest dual-carriageway, or it might need new plugs, points etc., and the carburettor cleaning and/or adjusting.

Happily, the engine bay offers good access, which would make this and any subsequent routine servicing a doddle should the new owner decide they want to look after it themselves – and if they did decide to go down that route then a weekend spent cleaning and detailing it plus, perhaps, spraying the ancillaries with a rattle can of paint, would work wonders on what is already a very tidy and clean engine bay.

The same is true of the front ‘boot’. It’s dominated by an unattractive fuel tank and the spare wheel (fitted with what looks to be a brand new tyre), and while it is solid and free of rot and corrosion spraying the former would be a straightforward job and an easy way to make a vast difference to the way it presents.

The underside is painted rather than undersealed, and this shows off its rock-solid status to good effect. At a time when so many have succumbed to rust, it’s great to see an original, genuine UK car that has survived so well.

The Fiat doesn’t have a current MOT certificate, and while it is exempt by virtue of its age, we would strongly encourage the new owner to have the car re-MOT’d at the earliest. The cost of an MOT is a small investment when offset against the purchase and upkeep of any classic car, and it gives an independent, third-party assessment of the car’s condition, which not only provides reassurance to the owner (and any subsequent purchasers) but might also be invaluable in the event of a bump when negotiating with the police and any interested insurance companies…

The car comes with a number of expired MOT certificates plus a few old invoices and bills and the original owner’s handbook. Sadly, the car’s early history has been lost at some point so bidders must set their bids based on its current condition.

Please visit the documents section of the gallery of this listing where you will find photos of this paperwork.

NB. We know that you will be limiting your social exposure over the coming days and weeks, so please give us a call and we can shoot a personal video of the car honing in on any areas you’d like us to concentrate on. Or, even better, contact us with your mobile number and we can set up a WhatsApp video call, where you can direct us in real-time.

The Fiat 600 has always been a cheap, reliable and fun way to get around and nothing has changed, even after half-a-century. With its cheeky looks, perky and reliable engines, and surprisingly capacious interiors they’re still a firm favourite with enthusiasts looking for a budget runaround that oozes design chic.

With very good bodywork, this charming little Fiat offers the enthusiast the chance to get behind the wheel of a very popular car for not a lot of money – and this example also offers the winning bidder the opportunity to add value by tidying up the engine bay, boot and interior; with rock-solid underpinnings the work needed is largely cosmetic, and would offer someone new to the scene a gentle introduction to the world of the classic car fettler. And where will you find another one with the steering wheel on the right?

As to figures, we think this one will sell for between £4,000 and £7,000, or a fraction of what you’d pay for a new one that has considerably less charm - and a much, much steeper depreciation curve.

This particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.

If needed, please remember we have a network of trusted suppliers we work with regularly and can recommend: Classic & Sportscar Finance for purchase-financing, Footman James for classic car insurance Thames Valley Car Storage for storing your car and AnyVan for transporting it.

BORING, but IMPORTANT: Please note that whilst we at The Market always aim to offer the most descriptive and transparent auction listings available, we cannot claim they are perfect analyses of any of the vehicles for sale. We offer far greater opportunity for bidders to view, or arrange inspections for each vehicle thoroughly prior to bidding than traditional auctions, and we never stop encouraging bidders to take advantage of this. We do take a good look at the vehicles delivered to our premises for sale, but this only results in our unbiased personal observations, not those of a qualified inspector or other professional, or the result of a long test drive.

Additionally, please note that most of the videos on our site have been recorded using simple cameras which often result in 'average' sound quality; in particular, engines and exhausts notes can sound a little different to how they are in reality.

Please note that this is sold as seen and that, as is normal for used goods bought at auction, the Sale of Goods Act 1979 does not apply. See our FAQs for more info, and feel free to inspect any vehicle as much as you wish.