1963 FIAT 600D Multipla

This left-hand-drive 767cc Fiat Multipla 600D was built in July 1963 on order from the Fiat affiliated dealership in Rome. Little else is known about its time in Italy but it comes with licence plates from Frosinone province which is between Rome and Naples.

Understood to have been restored in 2010 and given thorough servicing over the spring and summer of 2013, the car remained unregistered and was eventually bought at auction in September 2018 by a group of car enthusiast friends.

Although they confess to bidding on the Multipla as a bit of a laugh (possibly alcohol-fuelled), they have registered the car, have had it stored properly since and have had the brakes overhauled and a new carburettor fitted - see History Highlights for more detail.

The one thing the owners haven’t done is use it, so this cheeky Italian is now looking for a new owner to cherish it and show it off.

Please note: the DVLA have this listed with a 797cc engine but we have no evidence to suggest that it has been modified from the standard 767cc.

The classic two-tone colour scheme of mid-grey lower body with a light-grey top looks very elegant and rather suits the idiosyncratic shape of the Multipla. The paint appears in a pretty good condition overall and the bodywork looks straight. The panel fit and door shut lines are never going to be perfect in such a car but they do look as good as they can be.

In terms of trim, the chrome around the car is in a fair to good condition, with maybe more in the way of pitting on the grille than other brightwork and some rust around the joints on the luggage rack. Whilst the rear bumper is chrome, the front bumper looks to be painted the same silver/steel colour as the wheel rims and has a small scrape on the front right corner.

The car sits on 12-inch steel wheels which look in good condition with just light scuffs in places around the rims. They all have chromed hubcaps and are fitted with Camac Classic tyres from 2013.

Inside the car, everything looks neat and tidy. The red vinyl seat cushions with white piping and red door trims contrast nicely with the grey bodywork on show and the white of the seat frames. The off white steering wheel and column is very evocative of the period and the basic instrument cluster gives only the minimum of information.

With the saloon’s front boot being annexed by the Multipla’s 6-seater design, the spare wheel now nestles between the knees of the front passenger and the windscreen washer bag hangs alongside the steering wheel. The floors are covered with rubber matting, under which the floor pans seem intact.

In the photographs, there is a little water inside the car. We can’t be sure of the cause but we believe it is either due to being transported to us on an open trailer on a very wet day or from when the car was taken out for its photoshoot.

The undersides of the car look pretty straight and solid, with a good coat of sealant on the underbody. There are no obvious signs of corrosion, save for a small area of rust developing under the left-hand sill. Mechanically all appears in order with some renewed components visible.

The rear engine compartment, an incredibly simple and easy-to-maintain affair, looks in good order with only light rust around the exhaust manifold and none evident around the engine bay or cover. The engine itself and major ancillaries look to have been kept in good order, which is borne out by the smooth running of the motor.

As ever we encourage potential bidders to give the car a personal inspection. We are looking after this Multipla so why not use the ‘Contact Seller’ feature to arrange a visit to our new Oxfordshire HQ or maybe a video call to chat with us and look around the car in more detail.

As it stands the car has no MOT and, although exempt by virtue of its age, we would strongly encourage the new owner to have it prepared and tested at the earliest opportunity. 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 is also invaluable in the event of a bump when negotiating with the police and any interested insurance companies.

This car reportedly underwent a thorough restoration in around 2010 and has had various parts purchased and works done on it since - including the following which are documented in the history folder:

- Mar-Aug 2013 - major service & new tyres (parts invoices from Germany & Italy)

- Feb 2019 - service and rear brake overhaul - pipes, cylinders and shoes, new carburettor, washer bottle and pump, new number plates

The history folder also includes copies of authentication certificates and reports from Centro Storico Fiat and Automobile Club D’Italia confirming the model, build date and supplying dealer.

The car comes with a full set of keys, old Italian number plates and a box of running spares and a new battery was fitted in December 2020.

This Fiat 600D Multipla runs and drives well and is apparently quite peppy, even when fully loaded. The rear-engined small Fiats of the late ‘50s through to the ‘70s continue to be popular as an alternative to the likes of the BMC Mini but the relative rarity and iconic quirky looks of the Multipla give the 6-seater an added desirability.

We think this seminal people carrier in a ‘not perfect but very charming’ condition will fetch between £15,000 and £25,000.

Whatever your motivation for bidding, this Fiat 600D Multipla represents uncomplicated ownership and when you take it out around town or to a show, it is sure to generate love and attention in equal measure.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; to arrange an appointment please use the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.