Unveiling the Rarest UK Cars: Maria Cerrone's 1959 and 1964 Fiat 600 Multipla
At 18, Maria Cerrone is a classic car enthusiast with a unique passion for the 1959 and 1964 Fiat 600 Multipla, two of the UK's rarest cars. These rare Italian people carriers, with their distinctive right-hand drive models, have captured her interest and inspired her to pass her driving test. But what makes this car so special, and how does it appeal to a younger generation?
Dr. Andrew Roberts, a cinema and motoring historian, shares his expertise on the car's appeal. He explains that the Fiat 600 Multipla is a masterpiece of packaging, offering a spacious interior and a unique driving experience. The rear-engine layout, with the spare wheel mounted ahead of the passenger, and the lower half of the steering column between the driver's feet, sets it apart from modern small cars like the Ford Fiesta or Vauxhall Corsa.
Maria's father, Tommy, is a collector of 500s and 600s, and eventually bought the Multiplas. She grew up as a 'rear-engine Fiat girl,' and the Multiplas became a cherished part of her family. Maria recalls the amazement of people when they saw the car, and her father's promise to give her the Multiplas once she learned to drive.
The Fiat 600 Multipla is a product of Fiat's director of engineering, Dante Giacosa, who wanted to create a small car for business and family use. Based on the rear-engined 600 saloon, the Multipla featured a forward-control layout to maximize interior space. The 633cc water-cooled engine provided power, and the car debuted at the Brussels motor show in January 1956.
Maria's examples have the standard four-seater layout with front and middle benches that can form a double bed. Fiat also offered a six-seater with folding individual seats and a 'taxi' version with a division, a luggage platform, a rear bench seat, and two single, detachable folding seats.
By 1960, the Multipla gained the 600D's 767cc engine, and production ended in 1966, with about 240,000 examples leaving the factory. The taxi versions remained in use into the 1970s, and Fiat revived the name in 1998 for a Bravo/Brava-based MPV.
The UK sales of the original 600 version were limited due to high import duties and the car's unorthodox design. Sales totalled fewer than 100 over 10 years, and many Britons only encountered the Multipla through media like The Saint. However, the car's engineering was praised, with Autocar calling it a 'breathtaking feat' and describing how it could attain 63mph while carrying six adults.
Today, the Cerrone fleet represents some of the rarest cars in the UK, and the How Many Left website does not list any remaining 600 Multiplas. The car's right-hand steering wheel and unique design make it stand out, and its rear compartment and excellent headroom make it a practical and spacious vehicle.
Despite the challenges of driving a rear-engined car, Maria is not deterred. She appreciates the Multiplas' unconventional nature and finds them easy to drive, although the pedals and forward-control layout may be disconcerting at first. The car's lack of modern amenities is a feature, not a flaw, and Maria's passion for the Multiplas is a testament to its enduring appeal.
