On this day, the Italian car manufacturer FIAT presented the small rear-engine hatchback, known as the ‘FIAT 600’, at the showrooms in Geneva. In the aftermath of World War II, Vittorio Valletta, the head of FIAT at that time, was entrusted with the task of motorising the new Italian Republic and the ‘FIAT 600’ was his answer. Born as a popular but not entirely super-utilitarian car, the ‘FIAT 600’ was a resounding sales success and is generally considered to be the icon of Italy’s economic boom. The key ingredients to its success were a good quality-price ratio, a spacious interior and good road handling which, combined with the good gearbox, also gave driving satisfaction despite the small engine.
