Topic: als080

[als15]

This starts form Experts because I believe it's very hard.
I don't know which car is it and also the badge could be misleading. Any idea?

[D-type]

Could it be a Fiat Multipla variant?

[als15]

No, not a Multipla: the only other available photo (from inside that magazine) shows it's a sort of station-wagon.

[D-type]

This is all speculation, rather than knowledge-based.

Could it be a conversion of a Fiat 600T van?  There's a picture of one on Wikipedia and the lines are generally similar, particularly the radiator vent above the rear wheel but the rear side window is different which suggests a coachbuilt conversion.  Given the rear engine, I don't know what the floor level of the 600T was, but judging by the hinge position for the lower tailgate it appears to be quite low.

The number plate says "Prova  Roma 272".  I'm no expert on Italian number plates, but I believe that a "Prova" plate is a temporary "trade" plate.  In which case "Roma 272" would be registered to a particular company, which would be a big clue - it might even belong to the carrozzeria that did the conversion. 

The "Conti" badge features a coat of arms so it could belong to a town, county (or Italian equivalent), owner, or maybe even a company.

Can any of our Italian members provide further information?

[als15]

 
Not a 600 T: the magazine is from 1960 and it was launched in late 1961. The taillights are from a 1959 Fiat 1100 Special.
About the floor level, that's my biggest concern: on the 600s, it is at the belt-line level. But here the boys look standing, as there was not a rear engine (or it was a flat one, like the 500 Giardiniera).

"Prova" is actually a plate for trade or testing, but I'm afraid it will be hard to discover its owner...

[als15]

Let's try upstairs...

[targhediferro]

The side windows line looks like Fiat 600 Giardinetta Viotti's one, but rear lights (from Fiat 1100/103 D, or mod.1958) are different and later. Than, it looks like this car hasn't a rear engine. So I guess it could be a Moretti Fiat 600 familiare, 1957-8.

[als15]

I agree about the first part, but the Moretti 600 was five door (and I think none has ever been made with Fiat engine and Giardinetta body).

[thorax]

is the coachbuilder from south of Italy?

[als15]

No idea  . Just that picture on a magazine...

[Bill Murray]

Just some thoughts, guys.

I would bet that the vehicle is based on an 1100 platform based on the general shape and look of the vehicle.
As it has "Prova" plates, it could very well be a test vehicle or prototype belonging to Fiat and disguised as a 600.

When I worked for Volvo in Sweden, I saw a lot of Volvo and DAF prototype vehicles running around and many even had other marque's badging on them to hide their identity.

Here is another 1100 prototype, not this one but you get the idea.

Bill

[als15]

But Fiat "Prova" plates are TO (Turin) and not Roma...
And, IMO, it looks too well finished to be a prototype.

[SACO]

If it's a rear engine like this Fiat 600 Viotti ; the children cannot stand up 

[pguillem]

Just some thoughts, guys.

I would bet that the vehicle is based on an 1100 platform based on the general shape and look of the vehicle.
As it has "Prova" plates, it could very well be a test vehicle or prototype belonging to Fiat and disguised as a 600.

When I worked for Volvo in Sweden, I saw a lot of Volvo and DAF prototype vehicles running around and many even had other marque's badging on them to hide their identity.

Here is another 1100 prototype, not this one but you get the idea.

Bill

This the Fiat 1100E Zagato Panoramica Giardinera - 1951

http://www.autopuzzles.com/forum/index.php?topic=19677.msg199539#msg199539

[D-type]

I still think it is based on a rear engined platform, possibly a Fiat 600T because of the vents above the rear wheel arches.  It appears to be a posed photo, so perhaps the boys are lying on their stomachs on top of the engine compartment.  The  low level hinges could be for a panel providing access to the engine. 

[richard cuyler]

The youngster to the far left may be kneeling, which, if so, would mean that the floor level would be at about the height of the little badge to the right, under the opening. So it could well be a rear engined car. Maybe, as a 'prova' vehicle, the 4 cylinder 600 engine was canted all the way over to one side or the other, similar to the Hillman Imp layout.

[Hiawatha]

To be honest, I don't see any vents above the wheel arches..it seems to be a reflection. Conti was a manufacturer of car accessories and sport exhausts based in Pescara. Not very helpful in identifying the car, I know,

[Hiawatha]

One ore thing..judging by the proportion of the spare wheel in relation to the licence plate and the hub cap I would say it looks bigger than a Fiat 600 wheel. It looks more from a Fiat 1100.

[thorax]

I agree about the first part, but the Moretti 600 was five door (and I think none has ever been made with Fiat engine and Giardinetta body).

are you sure?
I've find this advertise: look the car in the fourth row above the 600 Multipla Furgone

[D-type]

Why would someone put a badge saying "Fiat 600" on a Moretti  or any car other than a Fiat?  This suggests a special body on Fiat underpinnings or at least a Fiat 600 engine.

[als15]

That's a rear photo of the Moretti Camping (the 500-based station-wagon) and it's totally different.

I too don't think it could be realistic that anything else than a Fiat 600-based car could carry a Fiat 600 badge. However, the considerations about the rear-engine layout are still against this evidence, unless it's a modified engine.

[D-type]

 

[targhediferro]

This is a '56 Fiat 1100 Ghia....obviously not the same car, but quite similar.  Could the quiz car be a 600 Ghia Station Wagon?