The Formichetta was a small, SEAT 600-derived box van, which went one step further than the 600 Comercial version as a transport and delivery vehicle. It kept the front end of the standard sedan, but the rear end was totally transformed, with a large box-shaped body, a higher roof and a longer wheelbase, to optimize the loading space. Instead, the Comercial was simply a 600 with no back seat and blind rear windows.

On the sides, the Formichetta had two large doors (rear-hinged, just like the front ones), with an opening angle of 180º, which greatly eased loading operations. At the rear, the tailgate was divided into two halves: the upper one to access the 1.61 m3 loading space and the lower one to access the engine. Actually, the location of the engine at the rear was its biggest drawback, as it reduced cargo space.

The Formichetta was produced as a joint venture with the Tarragona-based Siata coachbuilder, which used to work with the SEAT factory on the production of low-volume special cars or derivatives, mainly based on the 600.

The first Formichetta prototype, from November 1960, kept the same wheelbase as the 600, but in June 1961, at the Barcelona Motor Show, a second prototype was unveiled with a 20-centimetre wheelbase stretch and therefore greater capacity and better road-holding. The third and final prototype appeared at the following year's Motor Show, and then mass production of the model began.

In the first year around 500 units were built, powered by the early 18 HP, 633cc SEAT’s 600 N engine. From September 1963, after the launch of the 600 D, the Formichetta went on to be powered by the D’s new 25 HP, 767cc engine, much more suitable for moving the 250kg payload, in addition to the driver and passenger.

The Formichetta was sold in 2- or 4-seater versions, called Standard and Combi, respectively. The latter had windows on the loading doors and the rear seats were foldable, to increase the loading platform. At the 1964 Barcelona Motor Show, a new version of the Formichetta was unveiled, now with the sides of the cargo box completely smooth. Some 1,200 units had been built from the previous version.

The Formichetta was in production until the summer of 1967, when it was replaced by the Siata Minivan, also a SEAT 600-derived van, but now with a forward driving position, minivan bodywork and increased loading capacity.

The concept of the Formichetta was taken up again in the SEAT line-up from the ’80s. First, with the Panda-derived SEAT Trans box van (1982-86), replaced by the Terra (1986-94), based on the Marbella. The last SEAT box van derivative from a hatchback was the SEAT Inca (1995-2003), based on the Ibiza’s second generation.

Returning to the Formichetta, around 5,800 units were built in total, to which we have to add about 2,000 more units of the similar SEAT-Costa van, produced by Carrocerías Costa in Terrassa (Barcelona). The Formichetta has a great historical interest in SEAT’s chronology because it is a variant of the popular 600 exclusively designed and built in-house. In addition, being a commercial vehicle subjected to a hard professional life, very few units have survived to this day, making it even more collectible.

SEAT HISTÓRICOS restored in 2017 this magnificent example of Formichetta Combi, originally registered in September 1966 (therefore, it is powered by the 600 D engine). Painted in the original livery of the SEAT Roadside Assistance Service, the SEAT HISTÓRICOS’ Formichetta was officially unveiled at the 2017 Autoretro Barcelona Classic Car Show, coinciding with the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the SEAT 600.

The following year it was shown in the SEAT stand at Essen's Techno Classica in Germany, the renowned world show for vintage, classic and prestige automobiles. From 2018, the SEAT HISTÓRICOS' Formichetta is also a regular entrant in the annual TraveSEAT event, a week-long journey for SEAT 600 enthusiasts, along with other "pellets" belonging to SEAT’s Collection.