For the 70th anniversary of the Fiat 600, Stellantis Heritage participates in the 7th ‘Dante Giacosa’ Memorial

• The seventh edition of the memorial honoring the legendary FIAT designer will take place from June 14^th to 15^th in Neive, Italy, commemorating the 120^th anniversary of his birth and the 70^th anniversary of the iconic Fiat 600.
• As part of the program, there will be a national gathering of classic Fiat 500s, featuring a tour around the Langhe hills, a stop in Barbaresco, a wreath-laying ceremony at the Piedmont engineer’s gravesite, and a display of Giacosa-designed models around the medieval center of Neive.
• Stellantis Heritage will participate in the memorial with a showcase of some rarities from its collection housed at the Heritage Hub in Turin, including a Fiat 100 prototype, the Fiat 600 Multipla Carabinieri, the Fiat 500 B Topolino, and the Fiat 128.
• This year’s memorial holds special significance as it also marks the 70^th anniversary of one of Dante Giacosa’s masterpieces: the Fiat 600, which was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1955.
• A conference on the legacy of Dante Giacosa will be held with Roberto Giolito, the “father” of the 2007 Fiat 500 and current Head of Stellantis Heritage for the Group’s Italian brands.
   

On the 120^th anniversary of the birth of Dante GIacosa and the 70^th anniversary of the unveiling of the legendary Fiat 600, the City of Neive has organized the 7^th edition of the memorial honoring the renowned designer on June 14^th and 15^th.  An established annual fixture on the motorsport and cultural calendar, the event will once again pay tribute to one of the most influential designers in automotive history. The centerpiece of the memorial is a national gathering of classic Fiat 500s organized by the Fiat 500 Club Italia in Garlenda (SV), which will take place in Piazza Garibaldi in Neive Borgonuovo. On Saturday afternoon, the Fiat 500 caravan will head towards Barbaresco, stopping at the Neive cemetery for a wreath-laying ceremony. In the evening, an open get-together will welcome all the day’s participants. Meanwhile, a members-only lunch will be held on Sunday.

Additionally, some historic cars either designed by Giacosa or produced during his tenure at FIAT will be on display in the medieval center of Neive, including some models from the invaluable collection housed at the Heritage Hub in Turin. Included among them is the Fiat 100 (Prototype 600, 1955), which laid the groundwork for the iconic Fiat 600, one of the most significant commercial successes in Italian automotive history. Although the production model differed somewhat from the initial prototype, the Fiat 100 sparked an automotive revolution that brought mass mobility to Italy. Joining it will be the famous Fiat 600 Multipla with a Carabinieri livery—a symbol of the technical versatility and innovative spirit which made the Turin school of design legendary. Meanwhile, the Fiat 500 B Topolino on display is sure to garner just as much attention.  The successor to the first Italian “subcompact” car, it was able to unite mechanical simplicity and stylistic refinement during a period of profound social change.  Lastly, the show will feature the Fiat 128, the Turin-based brand’s first mass-produced, front-wheel-drive vehicle—a perfect example of the technical legacy left by Giacosa and his vision of a future shaped by the European compact car.

The 2025 “Dante Giacosa” Memorial promises to not only be an event of historical and cultural significance, but also a genuine tribute to an Italian industrial pioneer whose rigorous design principles and humanistic vision of technology changed the global understanding of the automobile. To underscore the relevance of his ideas and their impact on today’s designers, a conference dedicated to his work will be held during the Memorial. The speakers will include Roberto Giolito, designer of the 2007 Fiat 500 and current Head of Stellantis Heritage for the Group’s Italian brands, who has often reflected on how Giacosa’s influence remains both alive and deeply rooted in Italian design culture: “I was lucky enough to meet him during my early years at the Centro Stile Fiat, when his sharp and practical vision had already clearly taken shape. Struck by our first experiments with calculators, he understood much earlier than most that the future of car design would be digital as well. His work is still an essential guide for anyone who wants to approach automotive design from a serious, visionary, and responsible perspective. Every one of his choices encapsulated a way of thinking that prioritized people, their needs, and lifestyles.”

The following paragraphs provide a brief description of the Stellantis Heritage vehicles on show in Neive and an in-depth look at one of Dante Giacosa’s masterpieces: the Fiat 600, which was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1955. Its current heir features a contemporary design and is now part of the FIAT and Abarth range, showcasing the model’s stylistic continuity and enduring value. Just as the original was able to win over generations with its compactness, versatility, and democratic spirit, the current Fiat 600, in electric and hybrid versions, embodies that same inclusive and innovative ethos, blending design, functionality, and sustainability to the meets the needs of contemporary mobility. Similarly, the new 280-hp Abarth 600e—the most powerful Abarth ever—embodies the sporty legacy of the Scorpion’s historic fine-tuned versions, offering a modern interpretation of the audacious character that made the racing 600s iconic in the 1950s and 1960s.
 

Fiat 500B “Topolino”
The Fiat 500 “Topolino” was created between the two World Wars with the aim of providing an affordable car to get the country on the road. The design was entrusted to a young Dante Giacosa, who was able to produce an accessible and innovative compact car which would go on to become a national icon. The Fiat 500B on display (1948) was part of the second series of the famous “Topolino”. Produced from 1948 to 1949 in around 21,000 units, it was a transitional model the 500A and the later 500C. Renowned for its performance, it was one of the first Italian cars to combine versatility, low costs, and reliability. The nickname “Topolino” (Mickey Mouse in Italian) comes from its smaller size and the headlights located on the fenders which, when seen from the inside of the vehicle, recalled the profile of the iconic Disney character. Although this was never the official name, the three series produced between 1936 and 1955 are referred to as such.
 

Fiat 100 Prototype
The model on display is the sole survivor of the five unique prototypes built between 1952 and 1954 as part of the Project 100, which would lead to the creation of the legendary Fiat 600. In 1952, as head of engineering, Giacosa was entrusted with the task of designing a vehicle which was capable of putting post-War Italy on the road. It needed to comfortably seat four people, include enough space for baggage, and within a family’s reach. Its design called for a weight of 450 kg and a cruising speed of no lower than 85 km/h. After evaluating various alternatives, Giacosa opted for a simpler and cheaper solution that included a rear engine and traction. Since keeping weight down was essential to controlling costs, a loading-bearing body was chosen to enclose the cabin and engine compartment, which was designed ad hoc with a smaller size and an air-cooled 570 cm3, 2-cylinder V engine. The die-cast aluminum bodies of the rear headlights also acted as air vents. A single camshaft controlled the rocker arms and operated a side-valve configuration. Interestingly, the prototype also completely lacked a clutch pedal. The aim was to create a vehicle that was extremely intuitive, easy to drive, and affordable. Unfortunately, it proved rather difficult to move the gearshift and three speeds were not enough for a 600 cm3 vehicle. After a brief trial period, Giacosa recognized that this solution would require several more years of development and technical refinement. Consequently, he decided to replace the powertrain with a more conventional setup featuring a water-cooled, inline four-cylinder engine paired with a four-speed gearbox—one that would go on to become a classic in the years that followed. Once testing was finished, the prototype was never again used. Today, it is on display as part of the permanent exhibition of the Stellantis Heritage Hub in Turin.
 

Fiat 600 Multipla with an Arma dei Carabinieri livery
Versatile and multipurpose, the Fiat 600 Multipla was produced from January 1956 to the spring of 1967. It shared the mechanics of the 600 sedan, with an engine mounted just behind the rear axle; however, the cabin was extended to include the whole of the front of the car. With respect to the sedan, the driver’s seat was moved forward: where the fuel tank and spare wheel were located in the sedan, the Multipla had a two-seater bench. The front of the car was almost completely vertical, rather like a minivan. The result was a car which seemed to be travelling backwards, with the rear more streamlined and aerodynamic. In addition to the two-person front seat, the four-to-five-seater version included a back row and a space for luggage between the backrest and the engine compartment; by folding down the seats, one could create a two-meter-long double bed. Meanwhile, in addition to the two-person front seat, the six-seater version featured four individual foldable seats across two rows; by folding down the seats, one could create a load platform of over 1.75 m2 which could be accessed from the side doors. The first series was equipped with a 633-cc engine, and the second series (600 D Multipla) featured a 767-cc engine. The model on display belongs to the Arma dei Carabinieri and is kept at the Stellantis Heritage Hub in Turin Torino, where other vehicles from the Arma collection are on show as well.
 

Fiat 128
Produced starting in 1969, the Fiat 128 is considered one of the most revolutionary cars in automotive history. With this model, Dante Giacosa realized his vision of a transverse engine with front-wheel drive, creating a mechanical architecture that would set the global standard for compact cars. The powertrain’s compact size created significantly more space in the passenger compartment, not only by eliminating the central tunnel but also by reducing the number of mechanical components—resulting in benefits for both weight and fuel efficiency. Thanks to this solution, the Fiat 128 was chosen as “Car of the Year 1970” and set the standard for the entire European automotive industry. It was produced in the Rivalta plant in Turin between 1969 and 1983 and until the 1990s in South America, Egypt, and Yugoslavia.
 

The 70^th anniversary of the iconic Fiat 600
Created to replace the 500 “Topolino” and respond to Italians’ growing demand for cars during the Italian economic miracle, the 600’s design was as minimalist as it was revolutionary. With limited resources yet clear ideas, Giacosa’s team opted for an “all-rear” solution that allowed them to maximize cabin space while keeping costs down and offering a technical architecture aligned with the needs of the times.  The 633-cc Tipo 100 engine was in a longitudinal cantilevered position behind the rear axle, supplying 21.5 hp and a maximum speed of 95 km/h. The absence of a traditional frame, combined with independent suspensions on all the wheels contributed to dynamic and modern handling; meanwhile, with soft lines and functional details, the rounded body featured a rational yet captivating aesthetic that was ahead of its time. It was an instant and resounding hit when it made its official debut in March 1955 at the Geneva Motor Show: the 600 was faster and more spacious than the 500 C Belvedere, cost less, and featured brilliant solutions such as rear-hinged doors, three-part sliding windows, enough space to comfortable seat four passengers, and a large cargo area when the rear bench was folded down. The remarkable Multipla version debuted in January 1957 at the Brussels Motor Show, impressively seating six people within just three and a half meters. Over the years, the 600 evolved, increasing in displacement, power, and comfort, while keeping its winning formula intact. Production in Italy ended in 1969 after more than 2.6 million models were built; and its global appeal—from Spain to Argentina, from Yugoslavia to Germany—brought the global tally to nearly 5 million units. Its mechanical architecture and engine endured for decades, powering various Fiat models up to the 2000s, while Abarth’s modifications turned it into a motorsports legend.

Turin, June 13, 2025