Since its introduction in 1957, the SEAT 600 became the driving force behind motorization in Spain. However, the popularity of the 600 made a qualitative and quantitative leap with the launch of the 600 D in 1963. SEAT's 600 D would go on to be the "six-hundred" par excellence: more than half of the 800.000 units built in total were 600 D versions.

The 600 D was unveiled at the 1963 Barcelona Trade Show, where it shared SEAT's stand with the other big launch of the brand that year: the SEAT 1500. The 600 D main novelty compared with the previous 600 N version was the use of a bigger, more powerful engine. The new engine grew from 633 to 767 cc and the power output went from 18 to 25 HP. The performance was increased accordingly, so the 600 D was much better suited to the roads of that time.

Aesthetically, the 600 D kept the "suicide"-type doors, that is, rear-hinged instead of front-hinged. However, it was easily recognizable from the previous version for the different placing of the indicators, which went from over the wings to under the main headlights, and a chrome trim was added on the sides together with another indicator. Later changes to the bumpers and headlights would also be made. In addition, a key was now used to get the 600 started instead of a lever between the front seats.

As the 600 N, the D was available as a sedan, convertible or van. Besides, the 600 D was the basis of an exclusive SEAT development, the 800, a longer 600 with 4 doors, built between 1964 and 1967. The 600 D was also the first SEAT exported abroad. In November 1965, a batch of 150 cars was exported to Colombia.

However, priority was still given to satisfy the domestic demand. To that end, the SEAT factory at Barcelona's Zona Franca more than doubled its surface and capacity during the '60s and, therefore, the 600 production was also increased. So whereas some 28.500 units of the 600 N had been built in 1962, around 61.500 of the 600 D were built in 1964. The production increase brought about a cost reduction that lowered the car's selling price - stimulating demand again. In addition, SEAT's finance company Fiseat was founded in 1967, making easier to pay for a car in instalments.

All that contributed to Spain's economic development in the '60s, when the 600 reached its peak - it was the leading car in the domestic vehicle pack during the rest of the decade. In February 1970, the 600 D was replaced by the E version, whose main novelty was doors that finally opened in the "right" way.

SEAT HISTÓRICOS has two fully-restored 600 D examples in its Collection, a sedan and a convertible, both from the 1st series, built until 1966. The earlier 600 D can be recognized by the flat bumpers, rounded hubcaps and headlights with no eyeshade, as well as the 27 litres lateral fuel tank, which on the 2nd series cars grew to 30 litres and was placed transversely under the bonnet.

SEAT got the Collection's 600 D sedan thanks to the donation of an enthusiast of the brand. The car was well preserved and had very few kilometres. But it also had many non original features and required a full restoration to regain a fully original condition. Both cars are kept in perfect running order and are regularly driven around in events.

One such event is the TraveSEAT, the annual route for SEAT 600 enthusiasts. In the 2017 edition, SEAT HISTÓRICOS participated with five vehicles from the Collection, including this 600 D towing a striking trailer. It was a Cosval trailer, built by the SEAT HISTÓRICOS team to the specifications of the time. It is a trailer designed in the shape of the 600’s rear body, with the same tail lights, bumpers and wheel arches as the car, and made of fiberglass. Back in the day it cost 15,000 pesetas (very expensive, compared to the price of a complete 600, just over 60,000 pesetas) and allowed to carry up to 250 kg of cargo. In this replica, the maximum weight has been limited to 100 kg, much more in line with the capabilities of the small 600.