Greetings, new to the board. Can someone tell me what year my 600 is? The VIN number is: 100 * 789888.

Also, anyone with an owners manual for this model. I could use help with dash switches and lights.

Thanks, Rad

Hi Rad,

First, welcome to the forum.

As to your question, I don't know how helpful this information will be but it is taken from Malcolm Bobbitt's book, Fiat & Abarth 500 & 600. He lists two models of Fiat 600 - the original 600 Saloon (Type 100) dating from 1955 to 1960 fitted with the 22bhp 633cc engine and the 600D (Type 100D) dating from 1960 to 1969 fitted with the 29bhp 767cc engine. The model change occurred halfway through 1960.

The Type 100 600 had a production run of 891,107 units (~160,000 per year) and as each chassis was sequentially stamped, I guess your car at chassis number 789 888 was fairly late in the run - likely a late 1959 or early 1960 model. I can't be more specific, sorry.

Of interest, the 600D Saloon was produced at a similar rate over nine and a half years yielding a total run of 1,561,000 units.

The 600 Multipla and 600D Multipla were produced in much lower numbers.

As to the owners manual, I think someone posted a couple of links to these a little while ago on this part of the forum.

Regards,
Chris

Chris,
Read your reply to Rad. Have just aquired an early model 600 series Fiat. Would like to know if you could help me find out what year it is. The Vin # 100-D-* 142 7794 with 142 3494 below the Vin #. Suicide door with vent window. The vehicle has no engine, but I have a Fiat engine about the same model. Block # 4109371. And an extra transmission. Would make a great project car if anyone would be interested. Would appreciate any information you could give.
Thanks, Sam
>>(since I didn't know how to contact someone using the forum; I'll give you my e-mail address. [email protected]

Sam,

I'm no expert but I do have some access to information - mainly in books published by reputable Fiat enthusiasts.

The alloy "VIN" (Vehicle Identication Number) tag on your car body should read as follows:

Motore (Engine) 100D * 1427794 * <---(written within a box)

Autotelaio (Chassis) 100D * 1423494 * <---(written within a box)

Beneath this is a number to be quoted when ordering spare parts. No. Per Ricambi/Spares xxxxxx

The number stamped on the engine block should read: Fiat 100D *1427794*

BTW, the engine number and chassis number do not have to be the same and the 600Ds continued their chassis numbers where the 600s stopped.

From my previous post, your car would be the (1423494 - 891107 + 1) = 532388th 600D produced since mid-1960. At around 160,000 per year, I guess that places it about late 1963 to mid 1964. I can't be more accurate than that.

I've attached a couple of photos of the 100 series plates and stamps. The D's would be similar.

Hope this helps,
Chris

Wow this is great information. I recently purchased a 600 and against my better judgement, I purchased it without knowing where to validate the VIN number. I was in a hurry. Anyway, after some digging I found this forum and saw the pictures of where VIN should be. Thanks!

However, what I found when I scratched off what looks like 20 year old undercoating was a missing screw on VIN plate but the body stamp was there. But it didn't match my title. A buddy gave me the district DOT inspectors number and I just spoke with him. Sounds like I'll have to do a "bonded" title. The process sounds cumbersome but not impossible. Just a lot of paperwork. While speaking with him I referenced this website and the above information about trying to calculate the age of the vehicle. He said I should post my information here and see if you could calculate the approx age of my vehicle also. My title says 1963, but the VIN is only a 6 digit VIN and is smaller then the VIN used above. Any assistance would be awesome. Thanks Much, Mike L. Iowa.

VIN 720415

Mike,

Is your car a 600 or a 600D?
Can you post a photo of the VIN plate and chassis stamp?
Otherwise it's difficult to date.

All I can say at present is that your car is likely to be the 720415th built since 1955. At the rate quoted before, less a little for the first few years, I'm guessing around 1959-1960. A similar age to to Rad's car above and that's a bit earlier than you were told. If it is around that time it'll be a 600. If it is a 1963 model it'll be a 600D, but based on the VIN that seems unlikely.

I've emailed Fiat about all of this and received no replies, so I'm guessing in the dark a bit. Shame really, because other manufacturers (eg: Alfa Romeo) can pinpoint the build date to the day plus tell you the original colour, trim level and to where and when it was exported. Fiat don't seem to have the same appreciation of provenance.

Chris

Ok, I'll take a picture of it on Sunday sometime and post it. The VIN is preceeded with a 100 * so I'm assuming it a regular 600.

Be back shortly.

Mike

Hello All,

I finally got around to snapping a picture of the VIN #. Also a link to some pictures of the car on my photo website, flickr.com


OK,,, well I just had to delete most of my message, the forum is saying I can't post URL's until I've had 5 message posts here. Also I couldn't figure out how to put up a picture. I clicked the attachment link and uploaded it somewhere? The I tried a couple other icons that had something to do with pictures and those told me I didn't have anything to display that was uploaded? If you go to flickr.com/sonosml which is my photo website and then look for the grouping called FAIT 600 clown car, among the pictures of the car, I uploaded the VIN picture becuase I thought I could just post the link here.

Well I must of done something right???? I went ahead and submitted the post and poof the picture was there???? Not sure how I did that, but there it is. Now you only have to go to flickr if you want to see pictures of the car.

Thanks,

Mike

I was digging thru the boxes of stuff that came with the 600 and found a VIN plate that matched the vehicle chasis stamp. I was tickled about that.

Mike:worship:

The 600 was made from 1955 (when replaced with the 850)
As a basic guide with all Italian cars, if you look closely at one of the windows there should be a single digit and an letter where the glass manufacturer has etched his logo. The quarter vents are good source. If it has an "8" it's a '58, if it has a "0" its a 60. It can't be 1970 or 1980.
As I said this is basic start, as some glass can be replaced.
Hope this helps. Applies to all cars made in Italy.

That is great information 124spiderman. I know that my house windows have the date etched into them. I never thought about the window glass.

I may be purchasing another 600 and I think it might have the same problem. They are saying its a 1964, but it has suicide doors and from what I know, '64 didn't have suicide doors. So I'm asking for the VIN number up front.

Mike

Hi Folks;
Although I am tending to concentrate on 500s these days (I have just bought a '71 500L to convertinto a replica 695) I would suggest that you contact Tim Speechley at Fiat UK--Tim is the Homologation Executive and can date Chassis numbers (but sadly, not engines)--he is a very helpful guy and gave me first-class service--hope this helps y'all

Hi

Have just acquired a fiat 600 with chassis number 680298 and engine number 739660 written in the book. Wondering whether these numbers would match with the model year entered in the book 1959

Hope someone can shed some light

Hi All, I am from South Africa and in the process of restoring a Fiat 600.
I need some help on dated of the car, all I have is a number stamped on the inside right of the engine compartment as follows: 100*253347.
Can anybody help?

Hi All, I am from South Africa and in the process of restoring a Fiat 600.
I need some help on year & date of the car, all I have is a number stamped on the inside right of the engine compartment as follows: 100*253347.
Can anybody help?

Hi Chris, I see you are fundi on the numbers. Please see my post#15 to see if you can help, Thanks, Hein

My apologies Hein - I've been off the air for a while on holidays trekking down the southwest coast of Tasmania.

From Dante Giacosa's book Forty Years of Design with Fiat, the 600 was launched in early 1955 with 232,000 cars built that year. Yours is number 253347 which would date it around early to mid 1956. I can't be any more accurate than that - sorry

Hope this helps,
Chris

Hi Chris, thanks, that confirms that it is a 1956 model, the previous owner passed away and the son said he recalls his late father mentioning that he suspected it to be a 1956 model.
I was born on the 18th December 1956, so I hope to have it completed by December 2016 as a birthday present for myself.
I add some images for you to see what I am doing.
Thanks again, Greetings, Hein

Hi Chris, I have video on Youtube - FIAT 600 RESTORATION PROGRESS MARCH 2016
Have a look what the restoring process has been on the Fiat so far.
Cheers, Hein