Italian car makers have a knack for clothing the most basic of vehicles in charming sheet metal. The 850 coupé was launched in 1965, an addition to the growing stable of 850 offerings. It was designed in-house by Fiat, and its engine was a larger version of the rear-mounted, water-cooled four-cylinder used in the 600. Euro-delivery cars enjoyed an 843 cc displacement, but in order to duck US regulations, the same engine was downgraded to 817 ccs for our shores. Compression was increased, and the little monster sipped high-test gasoline only. The first year of sales to the US was 1967, and though today’s example is a ’67, this one was actually delivered to Europe and imported at some point. Find it here on eBay, advertised for $6950 or best offer. It’s located in Elyria, Ohio, and we have Araknid78 to thank for the tip!
The engine does not run, but it does turn by hand. The car still wears its Italian license plate; the seller notes that the last registration was in 1987. The motor will generate about 47 hp once it runs; gear changes are handled by a slightly recalcitrant four-speed manual. The coupé and the spider benefited from front disc brakes, while the sedan was fitted with drums all around. Considerable work awaits the new buyer, including sourcing whatever parts can’t be found in the trunk and rebuilding components – but that’s not all. This guy has suffered an attack of the tin worm. Looks like someone has attempted to fix the driver’s side floor, but the passenger’s side floor and sill are crumbling. Meanwhile, the dealer might have been surprised by the rust, because a previous listing for the same car claims “solid undercarriage” in the title, and the price back then was $8950.
The coupé was considered a “sporty” variant, so it received bucket seats. I like the cream-over-blue color scheme here; it’s a little unusual. This upholstery might actually clean up, and the headliner is in great shape. The dash is intact, and all the interior bits appear to be present. The door seals need to be replaced, and the floor mat is missing.
Not many 850s of any variety are seen in the US today. The coupés seem particularly rare. Too bad about the rust here, because if it weren’t for that, the right buyer might just be able to bring this little guy up to running order and call it good. Otherwise, if you have your heart set on a coupé, you might wait a while for a nice one.
Is it 4 am yet? Hey, this laptop(#4) cost $200 bucks( free delivery) so I’m gonna yap.
Some may remember my reference to “Johnny” across the alley from my folks,, he was the guy that had the 4 speed Barracuda coupe, this is the car he traded for it. His was red, natch, and initially, we all thought it was a fun little car. 4 speed, big tach, made all the right noises,,,then the not so right noises. The car didn’t have many miles, after couple months, 2nd gear began to grind. The dealer, I forget who sold Fiats in Milwaukee then, repaired the transmission, was good for a couple months, and it all broke loose. Window regular, gauges, glove box lock, seat adjust stripped, on and on, and,,,,it began to grind in 2nd gear again. He took it back, they had the car a long time, remember, this was mid-70s, gas mileage was the hot button, Fiats too? Who knew? Muscle cars were dime a dozen. He traded the car on the Barracuda that some poor schmoe must have traded on a Fiat, and Johnny was happy. I think the dealer was too.
That 48hp, I think, is actually 47.8 hp ( it’s that .8 that gets you over the hill), and is horribly inept for our roads, I think it would do 65,,,laboriously. I read, in ’68, they upped the cc to 903( oh boy), to 52 hp, with little fanfare. It’s an amazing find for someone that collects these. Not so sure about AutoPlace on this one.
Great article Mrs. Michelle Rand!! Great tip Araknid78!! There were 3 engine displacements. 843 cc 1967, 817 cc for emissions 1968 – 1969, and the 903 cc 1970 – 1973. This is an AC. I owned a CC, but they were all fun!! The tin worm loves these cars!! Love the Abarth horn button!! Is the steering wheel from a Nardi competitor? Beautiful gauges!! Except for the rust, it looks great!! The extra parts could be treasure!!
During my post high school graduation days I took a job at a Fiat dealer detailing cars and eventually moved up to mechanic work. The 850’s were known for the mystery rattle, where perrennially disgruntled communist assembly workers would throw a hand full of fasteners between body panels before spot welding them together and the wheel bearings which were defective. Replacing all 4 wheel bearings under warranty got to be a competitive sport among the mechanics.
That sort of sabotage happened here in the USA just the same. I worked at a Buick dealership back in the 1980s and 1990s. A customer brought in a 2-door Regal with a mysterious clunk behind one of the quarter inner trim panels. One of the trim techs removed the panel and found an empty wine bottle, probably left there by a line worker at the now defunct Fisher Body plant.
Used to happen in the aircraft industry too. You wouldn’t believe the stuff we found at overhaul & repair. As far as this particular car, I never remove paint like this and leave it. I always have the paint and primer on hand before starting.
Had a Catalina at our Pontiac store. (1972 I believe) Found a beer can in a place where they had to open open with an air chisel. In 2000 (working at a multiline GM dealership) The Envoy had a dual panel floor. (At least in some ofvthe areas) they finally found a deepwell socket that had been rolling back and forth for a year.
The Buick dealer in northern Virginia (Temple Buick) sold Fiats alongside those Regals in the late 70s and into the 1980s.
The Fiat 850 has old NY State registration and inspection stickers (as well as a AAA NY sticker on the back). So very likely spent some time in NY State, where they very liberally use salt on the roads in the winter.
Badly in need of a VW or Goldwing drivetrain swap.
One of my regular “driving events” is local rallies (spirited, non-competitive drives) thru the twisties in pre-’75 cars. The epitome of “driving slow cars fast”. This would fit right in.
IIRC the ’67 had recessed headlights with clear plastic covers a la the XKE.
My mother drive one of these for a couple years
Had one in ’72. Actually a fun little car. I put an 850 Spyder engine in it, [original engine was shot], lowered it 2” [a block in the front and cut the rear springs if I recall correctly], and with some 70 series tires had a bit of fun auto crossing it. Looked a ton better than this one…. P.S. Always carry a spare belt. Jus sayin..
This dealer here in Ohio gets a lot of beat up, rusted out European cars…. almost always overpriced
Replacement sills and floor sections are readily available, not cheap though. Replacing the sill is definitely not a DIY job and you’ll be taking it to a professional to get it done properly. Guaranteed the battery box in front is rusted away as well. I have a 73 850 Spider, the last year available in the US. They are definitely a fun little car to have.
We had a 1970 or a ’71traded in on a new 1973 or 1974 Honda Civic. The previous owner had hopped up the engine and lowered it some and also equipped it with 70 series tires. The dealer principal (who was my auto competition mentor) handed me the keys and a dealer plate and said drive this one home tonight. It was a delight to drive and I actually arranged to keep it for a week. But the next day it was sold. I have been looking for a non-rusty version ever since. So I’m guessing that after 50 years (man how time flies) that is an impossibility. He traded in the Fiat as we killed him at the autocross with our Hondas!
I’ve only seen one of these cars out in the wild and it was a brown one in a junkyard in Pottstown Pennsylvania. I had to do some Internet searching to figure out what kind of car it was because it was so different, rusted out, missing emblems and more wild looking compared to what I ever seen in your run of the mill junkyards.
I love it! However, I think they’re asking too much money for someone like this
How about dropping a modern Italian sport bike motor into this thing? Should easily up the hp rating. Ducati, Moto Guzzi … Or a UJM motor, but that might be true blasphemy.
Nice write-up Michelle, as usual. And thanks for the acknowledgement
This listing ended on Sun, Jul 26 at 10:35 AM.