Moretti Minimaxi History
Catalog record
This is a brief catalog introduction with limited source documentation. A licensed, identity-checked lead photograph has not yet been added for this page. Detailed year, configuration and ownership coverage must be identified separately; this page is not a complete vehicle catalog.
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The Minimaxi debuted in 1970 as Moretti's take on the open leisure car craze that also produced the Citroën Méhari and the Fiat Jolly. Built on the rear-engined Fiat 500 floorpan, it retained the 500's 652 cc two-cylinder air-cooled engine (approximately 25 hp) but wore a new open body with a folding windshield, open sides, and a simple rollbar — designed for beaches and resort towns.
The floor-mounted four-speed gearbox and rear-wheel drive were carried over from the donor Fiat 500. Top speed was around 95 km/h (60 mph). Sources vary, but only about 80–90 examples of the 500-based car were built across roughly 1970–1973, making the Minimaxi one of the rarer Moretti specials. The design was then adapted to the Fiat 126 chassis, and the 126-based Minimaxi continued into the early 1980s as the 500's successor platform took over.
Body styles
- Open beach car (barchetta style)
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