This rare veichle is a Fiat 600 Multipla pick-up (Cassonato), one of the rarest and least-documented variants of the entire Multipla family. This is not a modern or improvised conversion, but a genuine period commercial version, produced in extremely small numbers and today almost never encountered, especially in a complete and coherent state like this example.

The starting point is the well-known Fiat 600 Multipla, introduced in 1956 by Fiat as a radically innovative people-carrier. With six seats packed into just over three metres, a rear-mounted engine, a flat floor and a highly rational layout, the Multipla anticipated the concept of the modern multi-purpose vehicle. That same architecture made it an ideal candidate for professional and commercial use, which is precisely where the pick-up variant originates. Compared to the passenger Multipla, the rear section is completely reconfigured with a metal cargo bed and drop-down sides, while the front cabin remains enclosed. In some cases these vehicles were completed directly by Fiat or by approved specialist bodybuilders for specific supply contracts; in others, the transformation was carried out by local coachbuilders on new chassis. In all cases, these were vehicles built for very specific tasks: small trades, municipal services, agricultural use or workshops that needed a compact, economical and easily manoeuvrable vehicle for urban environments.

Mechanically, the layout remains faithful to the Fiat 600: a rear-mounted, water-cooled engine, extreme simplicity and very low running costs. The real interest lies in the overall balance of the concept. While load capacity was limited, the pick-up offered a level of versatility unknown to most contemporary light commercial vehicles, particularly in tight city centres. From a visual standpoint, the appeal is immediate. The front end retains the unmistakable Multipla face, with its round headlights and upright grille, while the side and rear views clearly reveal its working-vehicle purpose. It is an object that perfectly reflects post-war Italy, made up of small workshops, local trades and everyday transport needs rather than mass-market standardisation. The interior is basic and robust, consistent with its intended use. Materials are simple, seating is functional and instrumentation is reduced to the essentials. For this reason, finding a Multipla pick-up today with original or correctly restored interior details is particularly difficult, as most of these vehicles led hard working lives and were discarded without any thought of preservation. Find it for sale at €32,000 (today $37,000) here in Carasco, Italy.