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Package Deal! Three 1967 Fiat Moretti Sportiva Coupes

One of the best things about the Fiat 850 (and later the Fiat 1100) was the tendency of myriad coachbuilders and manufacturers to drop elegant bodies on its otherwise pedestrian chassis. Vignale, Abarth, Bertone, Zagato, Ghia, Moretti – all of these illustrious names can be seen on the flanks of hundreds of Fiat derivatives. Moretti, formed in 1925 to build motorcycles, evolved to making conventional autos in the 1950s. Finding it difficult to operate by making all its own components, Moretti cozied up to Fiat so it could obtain a steady supply of mechanicals and chassis. For the ambitious restorer, a passel of needy Fiat-based, 1967 Moretti Sportiva cars is up for sale here on eBay, with one bid at $2,500. The cars must sell as a lot and are located in Santa Cruz, California. Thanks for the tip, Aracknid78!

The Sportiva was introduced in 1965 and was produced in at least three series with different body styles. These are series 1 cars though the seller points out one has possibly had its headlamp arrangement altered. The well-proportioned lines give little clue that these cars are only about 41″ from the ground to the roof. With an air-cooled rear engine, and rear wheel drive layout, the cars used tiny motors that put out around 45 bhp. No one really knows how many were made. This set of cars comes with two motors – an 817 cc and an 843 cc, both of which are installed. We don’t have photos of the motors or an indication of whether these run or turn. The seller does provide extensive history on each car and indicates that just about enough parts are available to restore two complete cars. The seller is a Fiat parts vendor and can supply Fiat replacements if needed to complete the cars, but the Sportiva-specific items will be much more difficult to source.

The interiors are sparse, but helpfully include a dash-mounted grab handle for the passenger in case those G-forces just get to be too much. Windshields shouldn’t be a problem, as the seller had a run of Sportiva windshields manufactured. One new windshield comes with this flock of cars, and one used. Titles may be challenging. One car has a clear title, another needs its paperwork completed, and the third has no documentation.

Scads of parts are included. While Moretti’s are extremely rare and one would think the parts would command a high price, the challenge will be finding another Moretti owner to sell to. I have owned three Abarth cars, with a similar warehouse of parts, but disposing of these was not as simple as setting up an ad. One thing is for sure: don’t sell a part before you have finished restoring the car it belongs to! Sure as shootin’, you’ll sell something you really wish you had. The intrepid restorer who accepts the challenge these cars present could emerge with a couple of highly desirable entrants to any Concours in the world. Is that enticement enough to make this venture worth it?

Comments

  1. Avatar alphasud Member

    Really has pretty lines. I see a lot of Ferrari Dino in these. The tan one looks to be the best of the 3. Wonder if there are enough parts to make 1 of 3?

    Like 5
    • Avatar Michelle Rand Staff

      Yes, the 206 Dino came out in 1965 and is widely credited as the inspiration for the Sportiva. The designer was Dany Brawand, a Swiss industrial designer. He worked with Michelotti at one point, and was influenced by his work.

      Like 7
  2. Avatar Larry Brantingham

    The engines are water cooled.

    Like 3
  3. Avatar Rw

    Fix it again Tony

    Like 2
    • Avatar DON

      My cousin in Scotland used to call them F’n Italian Auto Trash

      Like 0
    • Avatar bone

      Failure in automotive technology

      Like 0
  4. Avatar Doug C

    The seller is super knowledgeable and and a good guy. He will also be your best source of parts and information.

    Give him a call, figure out what you want and can deal with and my guess is that he will guide you through.

    It won’t be cheap, but the car will be somewhat valuable when you are done.

    Oh, and the Fiat 1100 was earlier, not later, but Michelle Rand knows that.

    This car will be your ticket to a somewhat rarified world of hand built Italian cars, even though the running gear was pretty plebian.

    Like 3
    • Avatar Michelle Rand Staff

      Ha! You are absolutely right on the Fiat 1100…..

      Like 3
      • Avatar Doug C

        But the 124 had some custom bodies done on it, and that followed the 1100. Close enough!

        Like 0
  5. Avatar Frank Sumatra

    Only in Santa Cruz! Perfect.

    Like 1
    • Avatar scott m

      Maybe we can nickname the yellow one Banana Slug!

      Like 1
  6. Avatar Scott Marquis

    Would love to blessed with Moretti proportions. I’d own one of these and a 750 Gran Sport.

    Like 0
  7. Avatar Mark Mitchell Member

    I was the prior owner of the tan car. I was in the process of doing a complete restoration when the creek on our property overflowed and swept out everything in our garage (including this Moretti, an Abarth Record Monza Zagato, the rebuilt engine for my Porsche 356 roadster, plus a couple of nice motorcycles and a John Deere tractor!). Not a great day!

    Like 2
  8. Avatar t-bone bob

    Ended: Jun 09, 2022 , 10:19AM
    Winning bid:US $4,650.00 [ 19 bids ]

    Like 0
  9. Avatar Finn Hojvig

    Hello there,
    I’ve just come across this add and your comments and find it very interesting. I have a Moretti Sportiva S2 project sitting, wich have a scratched/bad windshield. I’m also missing the glas in door on drivers side. Finally I’m missing rear bumper. Does any one have an idea of how to find those parts?
    Regards
    Finn Hojvig, Denmark

    Like 0

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