1960 Fiat 600 Multipla Ambulance by Coriasco

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CHF80,500 | Sold

Offered from The Iseli Collection

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  • Offered from The Iseli Collection
  • A rare and intriguing ambulance variant of the Fiat 600 Multipla; features specialist coachwork by Carrozzeria Coriasco and numerous period features
  • First registered on 10 January 1961 in Milan, Italy; used to serve the airfield of Agusta, the Italian helicopter manufacturer
  • Acquired by The Iseli Collection in 2013 and immediately restored; parts and restoration invoices on file total more than €50,000
Addendum
Please note this car is titled as 080017.

Unveiled at the 1956 Brussels Motor Show, the Dante Giacosa-designed Fiat 600 Multipla was a marvel of clever packaging. Thanks to a forward cabin positioned above the front axle and the absence of a front boot, the Multipla could accommodate up to six adults in relative comfort despite sharing the same wheelbase as the standard 600 saloon and measuring little longer than a Mini Cooper. The Multipla became a staple of Italian metropolitan street scenes for the following two decades, owing to exterior dimensions that were perfectly suited to narrow city roads, and the genius use of internal space.

As versatile as it was practical, the Fiat 600 Multipla was put to work in countless different ways. While many were used as taxis—particularly in the service of hotels—some saw action as fire engines and even ambulances. Chassis 080017 is an example of the latter, and was converted for medical use by Carrozzeria Coriasco of Turin. The cabin was completely re-worked to accommodate a full-size stretcher, while externally the ambulance was fitted with a Hella flashing emergency light. The car is said to have spent its early years in service at the airfield belonging to Agusta, the Italian helicopter manufacturer. In later life it was subject to restoration after joining The Iseli Collection in 2013; invoices on file amount to more than €50,000 of parts and restoration work.