As if Fiat’s minivan isn’t charming enough – with its beetle-y shape, chipper colors, and mod interior – this example was featured on Pawn Stars, so it has mild celebrity credentials as well. Fiat created the Multipla as part of its ongoing effort to offer a vehicle for every buyer, spurring the country’s post-war recovery. Produced from 1956 through 1967, this tiny van managed to seat up to six people in marginal comfort for family outings; optionally configured as a taxi, it could carry a surprising amount of luggage. Whatever the form, it sold like hotcakes: more than 2.7 million found homes. Today’s example is finished in soft lime and cream paint with a near-perfect tan interior and restored mechanicals; it’s available here on craigslist for a hefty $45,500. If the price doesn’t dissuade you, pick it up from Orange County, California. Thanks to numskal for finding this gem for us!
Fiat managed to squeeze everything that matters into a 78.7 inch wheelbase by moving the driver over the front axle, leaving scads (?) of space free for seating, luggage, the motor, and gearbox. Based on the 600, the Multipla inherited its engine along the way, a 633 cc rear-mounted four, good for about 22 hp and a top speed in the 55 mph area. By 1960, displacement had increased, but the horsepower barely budged, and zero to sixty still required about 40 seconds. The four-speed manual is synchro’d on second through fourth. This engine bay is as spiffy as they come without going all-out, and the underside remains pretty fresh too.
This example is the six-passenger version, though if you’re moving house, the seats fold down. Who knows how much you could cram in here. Lots. The metal-framed, white-piped seating strikes the perfect note, and just to flag a luxury credential for this tiny people-mover: those door pulls are aluminum and were used on fancy cars from Abarth and Lancia – not just the pedestrian fare from Fiat. The gauges are visible and sensible, though the metrics covered are only the basics. The seller managed to source the spare tire stowage bag for the passenger footwell.
Just as cute coming as going, the Multipla became a cult car at high-end auctions, like the Jolly, some years ago. This example was sold by RM Sotheby’s for more than $70k back in 2020 – a stunning result for a car that can barely keep up with suburban traffic. This little guy managed $48k two years later, represented by Broad Arrow. But prices have deflated, with buyers showing interest at $25k to $35k but not so much beyond that. That doesn’t mean this car can’t find a home for close to the seller’s ask, but my guess is, a discount will be required.
$45, what??? GRAND? Proof positive, folks from that particular state live in a different world. Let’s see, what could you buy for $45 grand? I suppose that’s an unfair question to someone who drives a 30 year old Jeep on a fixed income. I mean, for someone to spend this kind of money on such an inept vehicle, says they already have everything else and $45 grand is apparently chump change, or severe mental issues, or both. The amazing thing, is someone, probably also from California, will buy this. Parked right beside that Cobra and such, and like the Cobra, with no intention of actually using it.
I happened to have ridden in one, with 4 people, he never did get it into 4th gear. It was a poor vehicle in every respect, and may work delivering flowers in a Rome back alley, but I-70, not so much. $45 grand, shake my head,,,
It’s a show car at best.
more nonsense.
I guess he has a point!
But there are many reasons why objects are not always valued equally and this Multipla is not valued on its virtues as a vehicle, Given that someone paid over $70000 for this less than 5 years ago, it may be considered a batgain….
This looks like a very high quality restoration, which is I guess where the price is so high. Michelle. You really made me wonder ( and Howards comment proves it) how on earth 22 horsepower could move 6 people in this thing. I know Howard said with 4 they couldn’t get it in 4th. I’m guessing with 6 maybe you’d be having to be comfortable with 2nd gear? Its a neat car, a nice restoration, but I don’t think I’d try it out on Route 80.
This would be great in city traffic, anything faster than thirty five it’d be a deathtrap in a front end collision. You’re right next to the windshield. For forty five though, no. BTW, the ads are really starting to get annoying on this site. Does everything have to be about money?
This is our full time gig. Sites like this don’t write themselves. If you become a member, you won’t have to see the ads anymore though!
1. You rarely get the full restoration price back on even the most desirable of automobiles.
2. A “connection” to Rick Harrison of “Pawn Stars” infamy does not triple the value of anything.
Maybe there’s an extra Zero in there. In the 50s, my mom dated a Dr who drove one of these. I thought he was kind of a loser then. Went to the Larz Anderson museum on Sunday and there was one there.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iZTEkyjbzY
I’ve owned a Fiat Multipla – at 35 mph you’re as terrified as at 145 mph in a “real” car! It was sort of fun though – kids would point, dogs would bark and sensitive women would “avert their eyes” as it trundled through the streets of Burbank!
Cute, clean and COMPACT, shame there’s no other pictures of the dash, if it even has one and another of the rest of the interior. Not one of my choices to buy even if I had 45 G’s, though….
The original craigslist ad linked in this writeup has many more pictures, including some of the dash.
So i guess it has a 4 clown limit.
Looks like a foster child of a VW microbus
my very first car was one of these. a total hoot!