Fiat 850 Sport Spider
Car-ID: XT0085
Vehicle Description
In terms of car styling, the 1960s and 1970s were unburdened, easy-going times. Vehicles didn’t need to have countless gadgets, hugely powerful engines or elaborate safety features. They could be lightweight, slim and pretty instead. Presumably, this is why classics from this era have kept their appeal. Just look at this 1970 Fiat 850 Spider: A tiny, 900 cc engine with an output of merely 38 kW (52 hp) is all it has, yet it proudly carries “Sport” in its name. And with a kerb weight of only 745 kg, it even feels sportier than many modern cars with far more powerful engines.
This Spider is in a fair condition, considering its age of 46 years. The paint may not be perfect, and the black leatherette interior, which has seen partial refurbishment in the past, also displays a certain degree of patina. A beautiful wooden steering wheel, without which no Italian car from this era would be complete, is also present. The convertible top is mechanically sound, devoid of cracks and its rear window still clear. The Spider runs on steel rims with chromed hub caps. On the rear lid, a luggage rack has been fitted.
This Spider, which comes with German registration documents and valid technical approval until 02/2018, is now in search of a new owner who will give it a bit of care and attention. The reward will be pleasurable driving and this certain feeling of lightheartedness which modern cars simply cannot provide.
After the great success Fiat had enjoyed with its 600, the 850 was presented in 1964 as an evolution of the same concept: A rear-engined, rear-wheel-drive compact car, slightly larger than the 600 in external dimensions as well as engine capacity. Initially only available as a 2-door sedan, several other variants were soon to follow: At the 1965 Geneva Motor Show, Fiat had two new body styles for the 850 on display: An attractively styled coupé version and a sporty two-seater convertible, the Spider. Both had the original 843 cc engine installed, which was tuned to have a somewhat higher power output than in the sedan, as well as a more luxurious trim, including sports seats, a sports steering wheel and front disc brakes. The Spider was styled by Giorgetto Giugiaro at Bertone and by looking at it, you would never guess it shared the same basis as the comparatively mundane standard-version of the 850 sedan.
In 1968, a model enhancement brought minor modifications to front lights and bumpers as well as a more powerful engine, which now enabled a top speed of up to 152 km/h. Coupé and Spider remained in production until 1973, with a total of 342,873 coupés and only 124,600 convertibles built. Today, the Spider is by far the most sought after Fiat 850 variant and the model with the greatest appreciation.
Vehicle Overview
Interior Features
- Black
- Leatherette
Exterior Features
- Red
