General Fiat 600 RHD

[RHD600]

Hi, i am new to this. I have been offered a 1967 Fiat 600 in Right Hand Drive.
How rare are these cars? How many still exist and how many were made in RHD?
Thanks.

 

[fiat500]

No idea but this gives you some idea of rarity:

http://www.howmanyleft.co.uk/vehicle/fiat_600_d

 

[RHD600]

Thanks for that. I guess rare, but it does not specify how many are RHD and LHD. So I am guessing its a rare beast indeed. I know of only two others so far between the UK and Ireland.

 

[Pete145]

Thanks for that. I guess rare, but it does not specify how many are RHD and LHD. So I am guessing its a rare beast indeed. I know of only two others so far between the UK and Ireland.

Very, very rare I suspect.

I have no hard stats, but I've heard via the owners club that many of the original RHD 500's made for the British market have rotted away as a result of our unforgiving winter climate (salty roads in winter being the main issue). Since the re-birth of the 500 brand there has been an increase in interest in the originals, and a subsequent influx of the classic versions of the 500's (in all of its forms) from continental Europe.

My car is a classic a fully restored (LHD) 1971 500L, and I noticed on the howmanyleft site that the number of classic 500L's has actually increased in recent years. I suspect that this supports the owners club's theory, more LHD cars from Europe are finding their way onto British roads rather than the resurrection and restoration of the original RHD cars.

Pete

 

[RHD600]

Thanks for the update. here are some pictures. Her chassis number is 100 D 2372414 with an Irish Reg of IZO 537. Any info on this car would be great.
She came pretty much complete, where the previous owner had started some work on her. The only real areas of welding are going to be the sills, some small areas of the floor pan, bottom part of the door skin passenger side. They never used salt in Ireland on the roads, so that helped to keep it solid! The colour looks like a sky blue. anyone know the paint code? the interior is a burgundy red leatherette with white / cream piping.
Would really like to get to know more about this car. Fiats are new to me, as have been in the VW air-cooled side of things, but always wanted a Fiat 600.
Thanks.

 

[Navesh]

I had a 3 500d in australia in the 80s. There are or were many around there. Also I've noticed in Sri Lanka as well.

 

[timgarman]

Quite a few RHD 500s here in New Zealand. I believe they were assembled here. Also, the drier climate and lack of salt on the roads in winter means a slower rust rate. Plus the plethora of blokes who can turn their hand to mechanics (not me ) means there are plenty of older / restored cars still being driven regularly.
Cheers
Tim

 

[FR85]

Hey,

Fellow Irish guy here, I've seen this car on FB a few times, how did the resto go or is it still going? I've got a rhd MZO Dublin reg'd 600d here and another on the way I think.

Gav

 

[124BC1]

My 600 was FZO (Dublin reg.) and I'm pretty sure it was a 1968 car.(it's important to get the year of manufacture correct if ordering any part). There were lots of RHD 600's sold here in Ireland (I worked for a Fiat main dealer around that time) and also in the U.K. but rust was always a big problem on Fiats of that era (was a big problem on most other makes also but Fiat always came in for much more flak). No way of knowing how many RHD examples are left, possibly still some in sheds/barns etc.

There was a very similar car to the Fiat 600 manufactured and sold mainly in Spain called the Seat 600 (this also had some larger engined versions in later years) but this was LHD of course, however some body parts etc. might suit a RHD version if you're stuck.

As regards what colour your car might have been?, you might check out :-

https://hdpaintcode.com/fiat/ (scroll down then select year, 1967 isn't listed but '68/'69 is)

https://paintref.com (need to select Fiat and then the year needed, this site also gives the paint manufacturer's codes)