I’m sure Chrysler thought itself clever, coming up with the minivan. But while the Dodge and Plymouth “magic wagons” introduced in 1983 fit the bill for millions of consumers for decades to come, back in 1956 Fiat had already invented the genre. They called it the Multipla, for “multipurpose”. Three configurations were available: dual bench seats with cargo space; a front bench with two rows of single seats; and a taxi. Picturing its 25 hp motor toiling under the implied loads is cringe-inducing, but speed was not the point. Instead, Fiat was responding to rapid urbanization and the need to move people and stuff in narrow quarters at a reasonable price. Here on eBay is a barn-find 1963 Fiat 600 Multipla, with an asking price of $19,999 or best offer. Araknid78 sent along this tip – well done!
Fiat first fitted its Multipla with a rear-mounted, water-cooled 663 cc four-cylinder engine. In 1960, after four years of production, the people-mover saw an upgrade to a 767 cc engine. Zero to fifty – not sixty – requires an interminable 43 seconds and top speed is about 57 mph with a tailwind, headed down hill. On the other hand, fuel economy was outstanding. Gearchanges are via a four-speed manual driving the rear wheels. This example is said to have “run when parked”, but no word on when it was parked. Could have been 1965 for all we know.
Fortunately, if you are contemplating restoration of a Multipla, the interiors are simple. The bench seat and door cards can readily be reupholstered, and while you’re at it, perhaps clean up the rear seats. The ribbed rubber floor mat will be more difficult to source but replacements do exist. The passenger is supposed to live with the spare, like this. This example comes with a vintage radio – quite charming. Marks on the speedometer remind the driver where to shift. Speaking of the driver, he’ll sit right over the front axle. Is this the original cab-over as well as the first “minivan”?
The Multipla was designed by Dante Giacosa, an engineer and designer born in Rome in 1905. Giacosa designed the Fiat Topolino, and on commission for Pietro Duso, the elegant monoposto Cisitalia D46 race car – just two of his many accomplishments. The teardrop-shaped, flat fronted Multipla competed with the Mini for the best use of interior space. Today, the Multipla commands a premium over most 600 derivatives, with an average price in the mid-$30k area. Every once in a while, we see an outlier, like this example that sold about a year ago for $68k. You will notice that Muliplas came out of the woodwork after that, striving for similar results – all arriving at “no sale”. It’s telling that our subject car has not yet moved along to a new garage; my sense is that it’s overpriced given the work involved.
Has extra storage not found on other ones…..
The VW type 2 microbus came out in 1950.
These are great little people movers. My friend and fellow technician at the Alfa dealer I worked for had a restored Multipla. He installed a modified 850 engine with a header so it sounded the business. One in a while on a good day he would bring it to work and we would pile into it and head out for lunch. Got as much attention as a Bugatti or a Lamborghini but it never failed to deliver a smile. I think to carry the extra load these had gear reduction units at the rear wheels much like the early VW bus models but I may be incorrect.
Jim and I shared similar automotive tastes and being a senior tech I really looked up to him. He was quite brilliant and very talented.
I try so hard to get past these outlandish prices today, but it’s like trying not to look at a welder, but 1st the fun part. I actually rode in one, in a previous life, or so it seems. These always seemed to be going backwards to me. A guy I knew in the 70s worked for a Fiat dealer, and they took one in on trade. Naturally, it was unlike anything we ever saw. To us, just another VW bus type, equally as unwanted. He said let’s go for a ride. So me, my gf at the time, his wife and him, piled in. As we slowly proceeded, it was quite evident, grossly underpowered, and he never did get it into 4th gear. Application, as these were never made for US roads, and probably adequate for European back alleys and such. When the ride was over, I never cared to ride in one again.
Now,,doggonit, $20grand,,GM-CHRYSLER, can’t blame the seller, really, they can ask what they want, but it’s the eventual buyer for these sums that should be given a stern lecture on value. Something obviously missing there.
I like it. Not a complete rusted mess as some are but it’s not 20K good. Probably would just fix it up enough to get it running and make it look clean enough inside so that something isn’t growing on the seats and door panels. It would cost a lot to really restore. Maybe offer 4K. It’s a pig in a poke.
This is another vehicle I was well acquainted with in Ethiopia. We had Italian friends who had both the Fiat 500s and the Multiplas. The suicide doors used by Fiat were always a curiosity. The description of the 0 – 50 time is accurate, if maybe a bit fast. You didn’t drive these anywhere you needed to go fast, or in any comfort.
Here it comes!
Years ago the Seven “Little People” from Snow White sued Disney for discrimination for never being tall enough to go on the rides at Disneyland.
At first they were awarded a Smart Car but got a Multiplas instead!
I think this would be OK around town but stay off the autobahn.
That spare tire placement makes it the first ‘airbag’, eh?
Lovely car. It’s a damn shame this was never offered here in the USA. As useful as the “magic wagon” may have been back in the 1980s, not everyone needs or wants a large front wheel drive “minivan”. I know I wouldn’t. I would’ve preferred this any day.
Except for the fact that these were sold in the US. Quite a few of these were sold here new. Back when I was in college, they were easily found and usually in the $500 to $1000 range for runners. I’ve owned several US models, and currently have a very nice Fiat 850 Familiare (google for pics). These are a slightly more modern version of the Multipla with the same layout, different styling, and larger motor (903cc)
like the Bug climbed the dunes these climbed the steep Italian landscape (same reason). Never @ speed due to the hand-off to tq excellence.
I like any ‘box’ as to utility (most from the pre-mini-van early 80s: toy terrcell, honda RT – both 4WD, nissan stanza, eagle/Mitsu Summit, that lill Click’n Clack wagon… 2 shifters… ah, er, dodge colt, also awd?). Saw these all over the Amalfi Coast (salerno/naples) rushin to make airport or ocean steamer w/nortro americano’s typical overpacked vaca back in the day. The whole fan damly. Suitcases/steamer trunks on roofs, hangin out doors~
Back in 1962, as an 8 year old I had a friend who’s family had one (in NH). Rode in it many times. To me it was just a foreign car. I’m guessing it rusted away before too many winters.
I could not imagine this trying to go up Mt. Washington roadway ! Or getting blown off the Kangamangus Highway.
That vintage radio is unfortunately mounted where the spare tire goes. It would have to be removed before you could put the spare back in its place. These Multiplas can bring serious money at live auctions, but this one really needs a comprehensive restoration that will cost much more than its worth when completed.
My very first car was one of these but had the 6 passenger jump seats. Bought it when I was just 15. Had a broken crankshaft. I rebuilt the engine in the back seat.
Multiplas’re fab. You also need the full Italian experience of the whole family going off to the market in it – and coming back, having seemingly bought half of the market’s wares! Needs a roofrack, too.
A bit on the pricey side, I’d say – but there’s daft money going (or being asked) for all sorts of odd things these days.
Kind of car needs a transplanted 1000cc motorbike engine and custom paint job, leather interior.
Make it a 6cylinder BMW 1600cc (150HP!)
Mark Mitchell is a FIAT-o-phile and brother, I can tell;
Yes, they were sold in the US with gummint reg sealed beam headlamps and large bumpers as shown in the instant tinworm-gnawed and slightly (?) overpriced example.
This one is a mixed bag beyond the mentioned body deficiencies. First off, I question the year. When the “D” model was introduced with the 767cc “big-inch” mill in ’61, the main changes visible were an additional three louvers on each side in the engine lid to get a little more air for the rad, the larger Weber carb’s air filter was a horizontal disc shape and the smaller pre-D taillamps were swapped out for larger ones as are on this car.
All in all, not a too bad bag or snakes. I wouldn’t touch it for less than half the price. Especially when I could have had two of them on separate occasions back in the ’70s for nothing more than getting them off the premesis, i.e.; FREE!
Coming up in August will be my 66th anniversary of me and my FIATs. (Only married to the same woman for 64 at about the same time.) Well, well over a million miles have passed beneath my butt while at the helm of my 17 FIATs, mostly the small sedans. Not a break-the-law fast guy and never into sports cars. 500s, 600s, 850s, 127s, 145s (Yugos), the New 500 and one lonely “1100” Millecento berlina. (Three years and gone… too big!)
Looks like a dung beetle on wheels.
Located in: Conroe, Texas
This listing ended on Wed, Apr 24 at 7:44 AM.