PCH, Impossible Fiats Edition: Ghia 1500GT or '58 Multipla? - Jalopnik Comments

PCH, Impossible Fiats Edition: Ghia 1500GT or '58 Multipla?

Bee1 — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 15:41:53 EDT

Multipla is the Scion Prototype

PCH, Impossible Fiats Edition: Ghia 1500GT or '58 Multipla?

drauzy — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 10:48:25 EDT

gotta be the Ghia - once you start, it will never be completed... while the Multipla could always be converted to an industrial toaster.

drauzy

PCH, Impossible Fiats Edition: Ghia 1500GT or '58 Multipla?

valeriomassaro — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 21:00:50 EDT

Can someone that is any good at photoshop do up the multipla as the A-team van? If I could only visualize it my decision would be easier.

valeriomassaro

PCH, Impossible Fiats Edition: Ghia 1500GT or '58 Multipla?

Stuntdriver — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 18:37:58 EDT

@CharlzR:
this rides are made with the thinking of going to the beach... so imagine youself with 3 italian babes in bikini...and the drink will be optional.. :)

Stuntdriver

PCH, Impossible Fiats Edition: Ghia 1500GT or '58 Multipla?

TR3-A — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 16:41:22 EDT

An interestng Hell Project would be a Hennesey 800hp quad turbo Viper V-10 in either.

TR3-A

PCH, Impossible Fiats Edition: Ghia 1500GT or '58 Multipla?

CharlzR — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 09:23:17 EDT

@Stuntdriver: I read someone comment that the only way to look manly in one of these is to drive it on your own property with a drink in your hand...

CharlzR

PCH, Impossible Fiats Edition: Ghia 1500GT or '58 Multipla?

CharlzR — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 09:19:15 EDT

@Bento: 0-60 kph, maybe...

CharlzR

PCH, Impossible Fiats Edition: Ghia 1500GT or '58 Multipla?

Bad Juju — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 03:17:53 EDT

@petersterncan: Just 4 cyls will do just fine - VW power seems to be the most popular non Fiat swap for the 600 family:
[www2.cal-look.com]
[www.vwtrendsweb.com] Looks like a bit of turbo happening in that one..

How about a 10-second Fiat 600?

Bad Juju

PCH, Impossible Fiats Edition: Ghia 1500GT or '58 Multipla?

petersterncan — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 02:14:45 EDT

I'm going with the Mulipla. That engine bay looks like it could take a significantly bigger engine... perhaps a Porsche flat 6... turbo? And the thing looks so quirky and unlike anything you see.

petersterncan

PCH, Impossible Fiats Edition: Ghia 1500GT or '58 Multipla?

beercheck — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 23:51:32 EDT

@evil2win: I dare you to tell me all that woodwork came from the same tree. But, either way....just...wow.

beercheck

PCH, Impossible Fiats Edition: Ghia 1500GT or '58 Multipla?

beercheck — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 23:45:16 EDT

This is actually one of the best PCHs ever.

Crazy.

beercheck

PCH, Impossible Fiats Edition: Ghia 1500GT or '58 Multipla?

3304HL — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 22:31:58 EDT

Actually, as the three rows of seats convert into a bed, it's far easier to get laid in the Multipla

3304HL

PCH, Impossible Fiats Edition: Ghia 1500GT or '58 Multipla?

3304HL — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 22:31:48 EDT

@Brian B:

3304HL

PCH, Impossible Fiats Edition: Ghia 1500GT or '58 Multipla?

evil2win — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 21:30:10 EDT

I voted for the Ghia it was a tough choice but given a choice of going to hell in either 2 seat sports car or a minivan (microvan?) I pick the sportier model for arriving at the gates of hell. I did a short search though and found this: [www.shorey.net] One hell of a Multiplamino

evil2win

PCH, Impossible Fiats Edition: Ghia 1500GT or '58 Multipla?

TR3-A — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 20:39:14 EDT

Either one will take you well past the gates of hell, Satan laughing hysterically as you do. But I voted for the Multipla because even if you did successfully complete the project, you'd still just have a piece of crap.

TR3-A

PCH, Impossible Fiats Edition: Ghia 1500GT or '58 Multipla?

1600mkII — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 20:38:39 EDT

I voted for the Ghia because that is, ultimately, the only truly impossible car to finish. My actual preference is the Multipla because everyone should alwasy own at least one car that's so ugly and, at the same time, so logical that it has to be accepted at all strata of society.

1600mkII

PCH, Impossible Fiats Edition: Ghia 1500GT or '58 Multipla?

beercheck — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 19:16:16 EDT

"There is only one hub cap."

beercheck

PCH, Impossible Fiats Edition: Ghia 1500GT or '58 Multipla?

the good dr zero — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 15:33:21 EDT

@Rust-MyEnemy: My folks used to own a Ford Meteor Ghia - in this case Ghia merely meant a Malaise-tastic blue (or brown) velour interior. Luckily for me, my brother managed to write it off before I got to drive in it.

the good dr zero

PCH, Impossible Fiats Edition: Ghia 1500GT or '58 Multipla?

Bad Juju — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 15:11:57 EDT

Multipla all the way - think of it as a pint-sized Herkimer Battle Jitney.
Busa power is mandatory, though I know someone that put a Moto-Guzzi drivetrain in their Fiat 500: [slum.net]

Bad Juju

PCH, Impossible Fiats Edition: Ghia 1500GT or '58 Multipla?

JayP71 — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 12:32:44 EDT

The '58 Multipla. A van that looks like it was taken out of the oven too soon. How cool is that?

JayP71

PCH, Impossible Fiats Edition: Ghia 1500GT or '58 Multipla?

Stuntdriver — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 12:30:12 EDT

[www.europeancarweb.com] other jolly ghia

Stuntdriver

PCH, Impossible Fiats Edition: Ghia 1500GT or '58 Multipla?

Stuntdriver — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 12:29:04 EDT

(check the first picture...you gonna love the jolly ghia)

Stuntdriver

PCH, Impossible Fiats Edition: Ghia 1500GT or '58 Multipla?

Stuntdriver — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 12:27:54 EDT

thats one of my favorite ghia´s cars...

[static.flickr.com]

[www.seiscientos.org]

enjoy....

Stuntdriver

PCH, Impossible Fiats Edition: Ghia 1500GT or '58 Multipla?

anthony94114 — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 10:50:44 EDT

There's some dude in San Francisco up on Mt. Olympus who has one or maybe TWO Ghias (and a 70's Rolls Royce) -parked on the street, beautiful soft metallic blue... pretty amazing. Go Ghia. The Multipla is a crowd pleaser.. the Ghia is the one to be the secret surprise.

anthony94114

PCH, Impossible Fiats Edition: Ghia 1500GT or '58 Multipla?

yellofury * * * * * — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 10:39:02 EDT

the Ghia ..it just looks indomitable in restoration HELL
almost as much as any Lucas swathed Briton

yellofury * * * * *

PCH, Impossible Fiats Edition: Ghia 1500GT or '58 Multipla?

SCROGGS! — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 10:22:14 EDT

@OneWithNature: Question: "But if im god then what the hell is Eric Clapton?"

Answer: A carpetbagger.

If I had the money, I'd actually want to restore the Ghia. So, the Multipla is the obvious PCH choice.

SCROGGS!

PCH, Impossible Fiats Edition: Ghia 1500GT or '58 Multipla?

rognbrow — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 04:27:22 EDT

when I was a student a friend of mine had a multipla the interior of which alway smelled like cat pee so that gets my vote especially because if you squint it looks a bit like a 4-wheeled Easter egg

rognbrow

PCH, Impossible Fiats Edition: Ghia 1500GT or '58 Multipla?

Murilee Martin — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 01:15:06 EDT

@discontinuuity: I think I'll bring the WEOTD back, only this time around it'll just be the Engine of the Day. That gives us a bigger pool of engines to choose from.

Murilee Martin

PCH, Impossible Fiats Edition: Ghia 1500GT or '58 Multipla?

discontinuuity — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 00:49:13 EDT

I'll take the Ghia, with the aforementioned twin-cam Fiat engine.

By the way, since we're talking about the JFG and workhorse engine of the day, when will those segments be returning? Personally, I don't care too much for all this auto show hoopla.

discontinuuity

PCH, Impossible Fiats Edition: Ghia 1500GT or '58 Multipla?

DrJimmy — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 23:47:16 EDT

Let's say it all together now, boys and girls:

Fix It Again, Tony.

If you insist on voting this hellproject, reach into your pocket and bring out the Digital Decision Generator.

That would be a coin, to flip...

DrJimmy

PCH, Impossible Fiats Edition: Ghia 1500GT or '58 Multipla?

narf — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 23:24:16 EDT

Multipla ... because if you mention it to someone and they google it, they'll be greeted with the 1998 version instead.

narf

PCH, Impossible Fiats Edition: Ghia 1500GT or '58 Multipla?

NovaloadMissesPolar — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 23:10:58 EDT

Didn't you guys read the ads? The Multipla is nearly mint. Even has spare carbs and such.

But the phat Fhiat Ghia--mamma mia, it's a hot little Italian mess that needs a "metal man." The seller is obviously a life-long hermit who has rarely seen a car and can barely recognize this one as such, even with Google. And of course it "ran when parked." Isn't that phrase true of EVERY car that was ever parked? How did you park it if it was not running?

Anyway, what you have here is a down on her luck sexy Italian lady--only you can see her true siren beauty, only you can rescue her--orphan that she is. And then you find out she's actually a seriously disturbed psycho--you know, like "Audition." And you still feel kinda sorry for her, even when she sticks the needles into your eye sockets--not your eyes, though. That's too obvious. And you wouldn't be able to see the horror. The horror. The grand ghia-ginol horror.
DId I mention I once had a bad experience with a Fiat?

NovaloadMissesPolar

PCH, Impossible Fiats Edition: Ghia 1500GT or '58 Multipla?

lemondriver — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 22:38:51 EDT

Ha. I showed my wife both these cars before they were on Jalop. She liked the van.

lemondriver

PCH, Impossible Fiats Edition: Ghia 1500GT or '58 Multipla?

Zarba — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 22:00:54 EDT

1) Trim pieces for the Multipla EXIST. Wimps

2) Can I put the Ghia emblem from my Monarch Ghia on the 1500? Oh Hells Yeah!

Beleive me, theres some schlub in Italy with a hard-on for the 1500 that'll buy it off eBay.

Zarba

PCH, Impossible Fiats Edition: Ghia 1500GT or '58 Multipla?

way_down_east — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 21:46:50 EDT

Got to be the one-boxer. Classic design. The original mini-van. Oh, right, nevermind...

way_down_east

PCH, Impossible Fiats Edition: Ghia 1500GT or '58 Multipla?

P161911 — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 21:23:28 EDT

Italian clown car vs. almost one off Ghia, built on a Fiat no one in the US has even heard of (my father did have a 1600 in his younger days) that will probably be confused with a kit car of some sort if you ever get it on the road.

I'll take the Ghia, just for the famous words in the ad "ran when parked".

P161911

PCH, Impossible Fiats Edition: Ghia 1500GT or '58 Multipla?

TechnoDestructo — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 20:57:07 EDT

@abgwin:

So did you flag the jerk down?

TechnoDestructo

PCH, Impossible Fiats Edition: Ghia 1500GT or '58 Multipla?

milo_carrera — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 20:45:42 EDT

@Brian B: "Try to get laid driving the Multipla."

Hey, that's part of it's charm. I'm thinking pull out the rear seats, black out the windows, mural one or two of 'em, install some shag carpeting. Sweet deal, a mini custom van that's so slow you can hit top speed, crawl in the back for a few minutes of rhythm and romance, emerge back to the front to find that you have not only NOT crashed, but you are still within sight of where you started.

milo_carrera

PCH, Impossible Fiats Edition: Ghia 1500GT or '58 Multipla?

dohcspit — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 20:25:03 EDT

A GT6-alike made by fiat with a 4 banger ? SOLD!

dohcspit

PCH, Impossible Fiats Edition: Ghia 1500GT or '58 Multipla?

OneWithNature — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 20:20:24 EDT

Oh my Eric Clapton, I must be god!
I just posted about the multipla and here it is before me!
But if im god then what the hell is Eric Clapton?...
My religion is so confusing....
anybody else here a christcientologist

OneWithNature

PCH, Impossible Fiats Edition: Ghia 1500GT or '58 Multipla?

Paul Y. can't think of a better, shorter handle — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 20:14:38 EDT

@Froggmann: Exactly. Even if regular folk don't have any idea what the 1500GT is, at least it is good-looking. The Multipla is downright baffling.

Besides, I voted for the Multipla anyway, because it's just so much cooler.

Paul Y. can't think of a better, shorter handle

PCH, Impossible Fiats Edition: Ghia 1500GT or '58 Multipla?

FuzzyPlushroom — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 20:03:10 EDT

@Piloter: Naaaah, it's a Jag E-type. Much more, ah, classy.

FuzzyPlushroom

PCH, Impossible Fiats Edition: Ghia 1500GT or '58 Multipla?

cats4rent — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 19:56:43 EDT

i am planning on restoring that cute little multipla and it should hold all the millions that those nice people over in nigeria are sending me.

cats4rent

PCH, Impossible Fiats Edition: Ghia 1500GT or '58 Multipla?

Piloter — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 19:16:30 EDT

When you're done pouring soul, blood, and money into these projects, what do you have? On the one hand, a microvan that pretty much everybody can relate to or at least recognize as something unique. On the other hand, you have something that will look to the VAST majority of clueless like a Datsun 240Z. The Ghia has to be more hellish once this is taken into account.

Piloter

PCH, Impossible Fiats Edition: Ghia 1500GT or '58 Multipla?

FuzzyPlushroom — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 19:15:32 EDT

Multipla, for the huge grin, lack of crash safety, and motorbike-engine-mountability.

Actually, forget that, I'll drop in a Kubota diesel tractor engine and get three-digit fuel economy... well, when I let off the go pedal anyway!

FuzzyPlushroom

PCH, Impossible Fiats Edition: Ghia 1500GT or '58 Multipla?

al_beaton — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 18:59:32 EDT

@Vintage Racer: I was just thinking, are those extra-long overriders on the Multipla or the previous owner's shins?

al_beaton

PCH, Impossible Fiats Edition: Ghia 1500GT or '58 Multipla?

Charles_Barrett - Now with Variable-Valve Timing — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 18:55:49 EDT

@Bento:
"...Part Shopping in Tuscany sure beats part shopping in Compton!"

...and the dining out is far superior as well...

Charles_Barrett - Now with Variable-Valve Timing

PCH, Impossible Fiats Edition: Ghia 1500GT or '58 Multipla?

Brian B — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 18:38:26 EDT

This is soooo damn hard, the thought of the Multipla sporting a 'busa vs. the downright style of the Ghia ... then again, that Ghia restored would be an absolute p-magnet. Try to get laid driving the Multipla.

Brian B

PCH, Impossible Fiats Edition: Ghia 1500GT or '58 Multipla?

Vintage Racer is out taking pictures — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 18:37:13 EDT

Suicide doors, and using your knees for a crumple zone.... gotta be the Multipla!

Vintage Racer is out taking pictures

PCH, Impossible Fiats Edition: Ghia 1500GT or '58 Multipla?

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 18:35:33 EDT

This is got to be one of the harder ones, and just re-affirms my love for Murilee. Who else can pull out 2 fantastic Junkyard Masterpieces daily. I say, Next Monday should be Murilee appreciation Day!

I voted for the Multipla too. It looks way kewller, and its hard to beat forward control.

Schm, preparing for the financalapocalypse, reading Camus and dreaming sweet dreams of G-Wagens and Facel Vegas. . .

PCH, Impossible Fiats Edition: Ghia 1500GT or '58 Multipla?

Mysterious Utility Bento — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 18:34:53 EDT

@I'm so Malaise I can't taste it!!!!!!!!!11: Yes, but Part Shopping in Tuscany sure beats part shopping in Compton!

Mysterious Utility Bento

PCH, Impossible Fiats Edition: Ghia 1500GT or '58 Multipla?

SundaySunday — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 18:34:43 EDT

When you finally finish the Ghia, people may think you've completed some kind of kit car. When you finish the Multipla, they'd just stand there dumbfounded.

Multipla it is.

SundaySunday

PCH, Impossible Fiats Edition: Ghia 1500GT or '58 Multipla?

Amscram — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 18:31:34 EDT

The Multipla has such a cute little face...I just can't turn it down.

Amscram

PCH, Impossible Fiats Edition: Ghia 1500GT or '58 Multipla?

om nom de plume — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 18:25:35 EDT

@Bento: Are 4.25 of those 5 years just for parts shopping?

om nom de plume

PCH, Impossible Fiats Edition: Ghia 1500GT or '58 Multipla?

om nom de plume — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 18:24:39 EDT

Multipla for me... I just can see myself putting around in it with the old elbow propped outta the window!! le sigh.....

om nom de plume

PCH, Impossible Fiats Edition: Ghia 1500GT or '58 Multipla?

Mysterious Utility Bento — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 18:21:51 EDT

Multipla....5 years and $14,000 of resto later and you to can go 0-60 in 14.6 seconds!

Mysterious Utility Bento

PCH, Impossible Fiats Edition: Ghia 1500GT or '58 Multipla?

Charles_Barrett - Now with Variable-Valve Timing — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 18:06:46 EDT

Why do I have the odd feeling that the Multipla is the spiritual ancestor of the Scion Hako concept that has been the subject of such scorn in NYC during the press preview? It gets my vote (gotta love something that looks like the box it was delivered in).

Charles_Barrett - Now with Variable-Valve Timing

PCH, Impossible Fiats Edition: Ghia 1500GT or '58 Multipla?

vwminispeedster — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 18:04:12 EDT

Multipla, multiple levels of PCH

vwminispeedster

PCH, Impossible Fiats Edition: Ghia 1500GT or '58 Multipla?

Rust-MyEnemy is stll out there! — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 17:56:24 EDT

Rust-MyEnemy shallow, style-obsessed edition.

I'm going Ghia. Such a pretty car. Kinda predicts the Datsun 240z in proportion, but much more delicate. The real challenge would be updating it without losing its core appeal.

Plus, my Dad had a Ford Sierra 2.0 Ghia. If the Fiat is anywhere near as awesome as the Sierra was...

Rust-MyEnemy is stll out there!

PCH, Impossible Fiats Edition: Ghia 1500GT or '58 Multipla?

motown_missile — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 17:55:58 EDT

Ah, the Multipla! Being able to haul 3 buddies, AND luggage, and park in 3/4 of a parking space, all while never being able to go any faster than 30-35 MPH....what's not to like about it? This is (probably) the only car slower than my '69 Opel Kadett 1.1 Liter Station Wagon, but 20 times more stylish.

motown_missile

PCH, Impossible Fiats Edition: Ghia 1500GT or '58 Multipla?

Froggmann — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 17:49:16 EDT

I went with the Multipla mainly because if you actually finish the 1500GT people will say "Cool!" if you ever finish the Multipla people will just say "Why?"

The Multipla gets bonus points for being a ready made coffin if ever hit... by a Toyota.

Froggmann

PCH, Impossible Fiats Edition: Ghia 1500GT or '58 Multipla?

jmagay — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 17:46:08 EDT

Since the Multipla is a first cousin of my old Fiat 600, i must say,"Fix it again tony!" and go with the baby bus.

jmagay

PCH, Impossible Fiats Edition: Ghia 1500GT or '58 Multipla?

graverobber- It says Loud Pipes Save Lives — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 17:41:58 EDT

I voted for the Ghia, only because trim parts will be harder to come by, but both of these are covetable and would make great garage-partners. I would buy em both and do the Multipla first so I could drive it around getting work done on the Ghia.

graverobber- It says Loud Pipes Save Lives

PCH, Impossible Fiats Edition: Ghia 1500GT or '58 Multipla?

Euromobile — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 17:28:26 EDT

Impossible Vote Edition!

Euromobile

PCH, Impossible Fiats Edition: Ghia 1500GT or '58 Multipla?

abgwin — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 17:23:09 EDT

dammit, there was a same vintage Mitlipa here in OK for $300. I emailed within an hour of it posting, but somehow, the ad was flagged down!
It made no sense until I saw another ad for someone looking to buy Fiat parts and/or cars, so I guess the new way to do business on craigslist is to flag down anything you want to keep for yourself...

abgwin