Stellantis press release
TURIN, July 15, 2025 – On the occasion of the 120th anniversary of Dante Giacosa's birth, the Stellantis Heritage Hub is dedicating a celebratory exhibition to the engineer who revolutionized the very concept of mobility. For over four decades, Giacosa, at the helm of FIAT engineering and style, designed some of the most iconic cars of the XNUMXth century, combining technical ingenuity and functional elegance.
Housed in the former Officina 81 on Via Plava, at the historic Mirafiori plant in Turin, the evocative temporary exhibition consists of 10 cars, located at the entrance to the site, and other masterpieces by engineer Giacosa scattered throughout the Heritage Hub, some less "frequented" by visitors because they are far from the spotlight of the museum's thematic areas, such as the Prototipo 100 from which the legendary Fiat 600 was born.
The exhibition will be open until mid-September 2025 and features, in the front row, some of the many models designed by Giacosa: from the Fiat 500 "Topolino" to the versatile 600 Multipla, up to the revolutionary Fiat 128. Each vehicle is a concrete testimony to a concept of mobility that combined technology, accessibility, and a vision of the future, as well as representing the incredible legacy left by Dante Giacosa, the brilliant designer who revolutionized the world of automobiles, making a decisive contribution to the motorization of Italy.
With this initiative, Stellantis Heritage pays tribute to the designer, but also to the man who combined technical rigor and humanistic spirit, leaving a mark that extends far beyond the confines of industrial production. The exhibition is accessible with the purchase of a standard admission ticket to the Heritage Hub. For further information and reservations, please visit the dedicated page. link.
The 10 icons on display at the Heritage Hub
Ten models from the precious Heritage Stellantis collection paraded on the red carpet with pride and unmistakable elegance, representing the many creations of engineer Giacosa. In particular, each model tells a fundamental chapter in the country's industrial and social history, marking technical, cultural, and stylistic turning points. It begins with the Fiat 500 “Topolino”, the small utility car born in 1936 and shown here in the 500B version of 1948. Appreciated for its performance, it was one of the first Italian cars to combine economy and versatility, low fuel consumption and great reliability. The nickname "Topolino" was born due to its small size and the shape of the headlights on the fenders which, seen from inside the car, recalled the silhouette of the famous Disney character. This is accompanied by the Fiat Campagnola, the first true mass-produced Italian off-road vehicle, produced starting in 1951, a protagonist in both the civilian and military sectors and in extreme expeditions, such as the famous Algiers–Cape Town and return raid. With the Fiat 600 Multipla (1956)Giacosa invented the concept of the minivan: a revolutionary car in terms of space and versatility, capable of carrying up to six people in just over three meters of length. Its architecture inspired generations of MPVs and remains a symbol of Italian ingenuity applied to everyday mobility. This brings us to 1957, when the legendary Fiat New 500, a symbol of postwar Italy's rebirth and probably the most iconic car ever designed by Dante Giacosa. Compact, simple, and ingenious, the 500 was produced until 1975 in over 3,8 million units in various versions. Its more spacious evolution is also on display at the Heritage Hub, the 500 Giardiniera – produced starting in 1960 – which was the first true Italian urban station wagon, used by families, traders and craftsmen. In the mid-sixties, it was the turn of the Fiat 124 (1966) It offered a perfect blend of elegance and functionality, winning the prestigious title of "Car of the Year" in 1967 thanks to its balance of technical innovation, simple construction, and brilliant performance. Its simple and robust architecture made it ideal for emerging markets and demanding conditions. It was also produced under license in numerous countries, including the Soviet Union, Spain, Turkey, and India. Three years later, 1969 was a key moment, marking the arrival of three key models: the Autobianchi A112, an agile city car created to challenge the English Mini and win over the young people of the time; Fiat 130 for sale , an ambitious luxury flagship designed with great technical and stylistic care to compete with the German brands and above all the Fiat 128 for sale , elected “Car of the Year” in 1970 and considered one of the most revolutionary cars in the history of the automobile: it was in fact the first mass-produced car with a transverse front engine and front-wheel drive, an architecture that would become the standard for compact cars throughout the world. The review closes with the Fiat 126 (1972), a modern evolution of the 500, safer, more comfortable, and more accessible. Stylistically derived from the "City Taxi" concept car created by Pio Manzù in 1968, it was the last Fiat with a rear engine and rear-wheel drive, bringing to a close an era that began with the Topolino. Over 4,6 million units were produced by 2000, and the Fiat 126 was also built in Poland, where it became a national icon.
The 70th Anniversary of the legendary Fiat 600
In addition to the 120th anniversary of Dante Giacosa, this year marks the 70th anniversary of one of his models that has entered the collective imagination, the Fiat 600, which was created with the aim of motorising post-war Italy, alongside and then surpassing the 500 “Topolino”. In particular, this model represents a technical and economic breakthrough thanks to the choice of rear-wheel drive and rear-engine. The new Tipo 100 engine, with 633 cc and 21,5 HP, guarantees agility, lightness and cost containment. The body is load-bearing, the suspension is independent: the entire project aims for efficiency in every detail. There is no shortage of original and curious solutions, including the headlights, initially on the bonnet, which were moved to the fenders to simplify production, while the doors, hinged at the rear, have three-section windows, one of which is made of plexiglass and can be opened like a deflector. At the front, there is space for the fuel tank, the spare wheel and a space for small luggage. The passenger compartment, simple but ingenious, can be transformed into a large cargo compartment by folding down the rear seat. Presented at the 1955 Geneva Motor Show, it immediately won over the public with its modern lines, four seats, a speed of 95 km/h and an affordable price. Continuous technical and stylistic evolutions followed, including the famous 600 Multipla version of 1956, the forerunner of modern minivans. With the 600 1960D the displacement increased to 767 cc and the speed to 110 km/h. Production continued even after the arrival of the Fiat 850 in 1964, sharing several elements. In total, over 4,9 million units are produced in Italy and abroad. It should be emphasized that the quality of the “Tipo 100” project meant that the 600 engine continued to evolve over the years, constantly increasing in power and continuing to power other Fiat models: from the 850 to the 127, from the first Autobianchi A112 Abarth 58 HP to the Panda 45 up to the Uno 45, passing the baton to the FIRE engines in the mid-2000s, but still remaining in use until the XNUMXs. Not just the engine: the chassis and running gear of the 600 would also demonstrate their qualities in the unbeatable developments created by Abarth, the 850 and 1000 TC that would write the history of the Scorpion brand on circuits all over the world. Returning to the Fiat 600, it should be remembered that the recent 1000 Miglia 2025 saw the participation of a charming light blue first series 600 Fiat 1955, usually kept at the Centro Storico Fiat in Turin and driven by the pink crew composed of Laura Confalonieri, deputy director of Ruoteclassiche, and Valentina Menassi, journalist and contributor to Il Giornale. The historic car completed the challenging journey with tenacity and reliability, once again embodying the simple yet indomitable spirit of the quintessential Italian small car. And our memories immediately go to the many private Fiat 600s that, with enthusiasm and limited resources, tackled the race in the so-called “minor classes”, reminding us that the 1000 Miglia has never been just a race for the few, but a popular celebration of automotive passion. Finally, it should be remembered that the Abarth 1000e and Fiat 2025 Hybrid models participated in the 600 Miglia 600 as Support Cars: the former is the most powerful Abarth ever, with its 280 hp and acceleration from 0 to 100 in 5,85 seconds, while the latter is FIAT's new "family mover", equipped with latest-generation hybrid technology, which ensures an extremely smooth driving experience, great interior comfort and low fuel consumption. Thus began a sort of passing of the baton between the historic 600s that participated in the 1000 Miglia in the 1960s and their current heirs, who look to the future with renewed enthusiasm and determination.
Dante Giacosa, between technical rigor and humanistic culture
Dante Giacosa was born in Rome in 1905 to a family originally from Piedmont, specifically from Neive, in the Cuneo area. After studying classical studies, which gave him a sense of proportion and balance that would serve him well throughout his life, he graduated in Mechanical Engineering from the Polytechnic of Turin in 1927. He joined Fiat the following year as a design engineer, beginning one of the most extraordinary careers in the history of the Italian automobile. After a long journey of internal growth, in 1946 he was appointed director of the automotive technical department, a role in which he led the development of Fiat's main post-war models. His first major venture was the 500 "Topolino" (1936), followed after the war by the 1400, the 1900, and the Campagnola. With the 600 of 1955, he introduced the rear engine, and with the Multipla, he paved the way for compact and versatile vehicles. 1957 marked the year of his consecration with the Nuova 500, a masterpiece of ingenuity and functionality, a symbol of Italian mass motorization, awarded the Compasso d'Oro in 1959. In the following years, he designed iconic models such as the 1800, the 1300-1500, the 124 (Car of the Year 1967), the 128 (Car of the Year 1970 and the first front-wheel drive Fiat), and the 127 (Car of the Year 1972). He collaborated with Autobianchi on the revolutionary Primula, a pioneer of front-wheel drive with a transverse engine in Italy. Alongside his work at the company, he taught for almost twenty years at the Polytechnic University of Turin, published seminal texts such as "Motori Endotermici," registered 62 patents, and held prominent positions in prestigious international technical associations. His personality combined engineering vision, aesthetic sense, and humanistic culture. In 1970, he left Fiat, shortly after being appointed advisor to the President, and devoted himself to memoir, recounting in his book "My 40 Years of Design at Fiat" the method and passion that guided his entire professional life. He died in Turin in 1996 at the age of 91. His teachings, still relevant today, are based on the balance between intuition, simplicity, and design rigor. "Designing," he wrote, "also means evaluating difficulties, identifying essential problems, and solving them in the simplest and most complete way." A legacy that continues to inspire generations of technicians, designers, and innovators.
