The Quirky Little Legend: Fiat Abarth Multipla and Its Italian Charm

Mini Masterpiece - There’s something endlessly fascinating about cars that dared to be different. Long before SUVs and minivans became the go-to family transporters, a few brave innovators imagined compact vehicles that could carry both people and spirit — blending function, character, and an unmistakable charm. Among those visionaries stood Fiat, and perhaps one of its most captivating creations was the Fiat Abarth Multipla, a tiny yet spirited machine that managed to be practical, playful, and surprisingly ahead of its time. 

The Fiat Abarth Multipla, a tiny yet spirited machine that managed to be practical, playful, and surprisingly ahead of its time. (Picture from: Wikimedia)

Before the Multipla entered the scene, Fiat had already made history with its post-war success story, the Fiat 600, launched in 1955. Barely 3.2 meters long, it could still seat four passengers and hold their modest luggage. That little car became a symbol of Italy’s rebirth, rolling out of Fiat’s Mirafiori plant in millions — about 2.6 million units, in fact. 

The 1957 Fiat Abarth 750 Multipla by Coriasco (seen in the far background) stands alongside the 1957 Abarth Monoposto da Record by Pininfarina at the Monza circuit. (Picture from: Abarth-Germany.de)

It was not just a car; it was mobility made possible for ordinary people, and its popularity spread far beyond Italy, reaching as far as Russia and Argentina. With its compact four-cylinder engine — initially 633cc and later 767cc — it could hit speeds of up to 68 mph (110 km/h), which felt like freedom itself in those rebuilding years. 

This 1957 Fiat Abarth Multipla by Coriasco was upgraded with an Abarth 750-type engine, boosting its output to 38 horsepower from the original 19. (Picture from: Abarth-Germany.de)

Then came the Fiat 600 Multipla, launched a year later in 1956. Built on the same mechanical foundation as the 600, it stretched the imagination of what a small car could do. Instead of simply carrying people, it was designed to do everything — a multi-purpose machine that would later inspire generations of vans and compact MPVs. But where Fiat’s version focused on passenger use with seating for up to seven, some saw the potential for something even more versatile. 

The 1957 Fiat Abarth 750 Multipla by Coriasco displays its distinctive rounded front with large circular headlights, a compact yet roomy body, subtle chrome accents, and the playful, functional lines that reflect the ingenuity of 1950s Italian automotive design. (Picture from: Abarth-Germany.de)

One of those visionaries was Giovanni Coriasco, founder of the Turin-based coachbuilding company Coriasco. Since the 1920s, his workshop had been crafting special-bodied vehicles for Fiat, Lancia, and Alfa Romeo — and when the 600 Multipla appeared, he saw an opportunity. While Fiat’s design catered to families, Coriasco recognized that Italian businesses needed something more utilitarian, something that could rival the Volkswagen Type 1 van that was becoming popular in Europe. 

This 1957 Fiat Abarth 750 Multipla by Coriasco, once a service vehicle for the Abarth dealership in Palermo and later used in a Termini Imerese workshop from 1966, vanished for years before resurfacing in Italy to undergo a full restoration. (Picture from: Abarth-Germany.de)

Using Fiat’s Multipla chassis as a base, Coriasco reimagined it into several commercial versions: panel vans, pickups, and even small buses with full panoramic glazing. Fiat supplied the core mechanical parts and floor assemblies, while Coriasco transformed them into unique creations. Only a few thousand were ever built, and today, only a handful survive — each a rare testament to mid-century Italian ingenuity. 

This 1960 Fiat Abarth Multipla retains its original powertrain, featuring a compact yet efficient four-cylinder 633cc engine that delivers reliable performance while preserving its classic character. (Picture from: World Cars From The 1930s To 1980s In Facebook)

Among the most charming of these creations were the Coriasco Fiat 600 Multipla vans, often ordered by companies for promotional purposes. They weren’t just work vehicles; they were rolling billboards, painted in vibrant colors to represent everything from spare parts and tuning services to racing promotions. These vehicles became part of Italy’s 1950s advertising landscape, bringing art and commerce to the streets in a way only Italians could make look so stylish.

The 1960 Fiat Abarth 600 Multipla features a compact yet functional interior, with simple instrumentation, practical seating for multiple passengers, and a utilitarian layout reflecting 1960s Italian design. (Picture from: World Cars From The 1930s To 1980s In Facebook)

And then, of course, Carlo Abarth entered the story — the man whose name became synonymous with performance. Known for his fierce passion for speed and tuning. Abarth couldn’t resist the charm of these small yet spirited vans. He reportedly acquired around five of them from Coriasco, each finished in Abarth’s own livery and equipped with a genuine Fiat 600 exhaust pipe at the front — a playful touch that mirrored Abarth’s sense of humor and style. Some of these vehicles were even upgraded with Abarth’s 750-type engines, pushing out 38 horsepower instead of the standard 19. 

The Fiat Abarth Multipla vans, often ordered by companies for promotional purposes, were more than just work vehicles—they served as rolling billboards, painted in vibrant colors to represent everything from spare parts and tuning services to racing promotions. (Picture from: World Cars From The 1930s To 1980s In Facebook)

Abarth used these little Multipla vans as service vehicles and mobile advertisements, often seen buzzing around racetracks or parked proudly in the background of his racing photographs. A few were handed over to official Abarth dealers — including one in Palermo, Sicily — which carried the license plate PA 49051. That specific van’s story is particularly remarkable: after serving as a dealership vehicle, it later worked in a Sicilian workshop in Termini Imerese from 1966, before vanishing for decades. Eventually, it resurfaced in Italy, underwent a complete restoration, and was later sold to Luxembourg — where, by 2019, it found a new, appreciative owner who recognized its incredible legacy.

The Fiat Abarth Multipla became an iconic part of Italy’s 1950s and 1960s advertising scene, turning the streets into vibrant displays of art and commerce with unmistakable Italian style. (Picture from: World Cars From The 1930s To 1980s In Facebook)

The Fiat Abarth Multipla Coriasco represents a unique crossroads in automotive history — where practicality met personality, and craftsmanship met creativity. It may not have been a car built to dominate racetracks or win beauty contests, yet it carried an undeniable presence that transcended its humble origins. Every curve, every badge, and every quirky design choice speaks of an era when passion mattered more than perfection, and when even a service van could tell a story worth remembering. | ObWNAefiiZ8 |

Today, in a world overflowing with uniform, tech-laden vehicles, the Fiat Abarth Multipla stands out as a reminder of what cars once meant to people — freedom, ingenuity, and a touch of rebellion wrapped in metal. It continues to capture hearts not because it was the fastest or the flashiest, but because it dared to be delightfully different — a small car with a big soul, and a timeless symbol of Italian spirit that refuses to fade. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ABARTH-GERMANY.DE | CLASSICDRIVER | WORLD CARS FROM THE 1930S TO 1980S IN FACEBOOK | BELLES ITALIENNES IN X ]

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