Father/Son Project? 1971 Fiat 850 Spider
Cute little bugger would be one way to describe this 1971 Fiat 850. I guess it’s a twenty-footer as the seller states, “Has a very poor paint job” but in images, it shows pretty well. There’s no doubt about it, a Fiat 850 can be a challenge for various reasons but this example is referred to as “…a great entry-level antique that would make an excellent father/son project that will continue to appreciate” – let’s see if that’s the case. Chuck F found this listing for us here on craigslist where it’s available for $4,600. This two-seater calls Hermitage, Pennsylvania, home.
When I encounter a Fiat 850, I always think of the Spider, such as this subject car, and forget that there were coupes and sedans produced too. And that’s probably because I don’t recall ever encountering either – just the Spider. Offered between 1964 and 1973, Fiat produced well over 2M 850s, all body styles, worldwide with a bit less than 150K of those being Spiders – hardly rare but seldomly encountered today.
The finish deterioration is most obvious on the hood (or is it the boot?). We’re told that the body and undercarriage are solid, and that’s good to know as 850s are notorious for rust. The body appears to be free of contusions or something worse, the top shows well but the front bumper’s plating is weak. Note the chrome wheels, they appear to be aftermarket pieces.
Claimed to have experienced 41K miles, it is said that this Fiat and its 52 HP, 903 CC inline four-cylinder engine “runs, drives, and stops“. Mechanical improvements include, a repaired and resealed fuel tank, a new fuel pump and lines, and a replaced brake master cylinder along with all four brake hoses.
The interior shows nicely and nothing seems out of sorts – often a surprise on an open-top model that has had to deal with the effects of sun and unplanned weather. There are no rips, tears, or splits observed – it likely shows as it did in ’71. Note the instrument panel’s toggle switches, you won’t see that design used again – considered too dangerous in a driver to dashboard/instrument panel impact.
The problem with the paint job is a minor matter in the scheme of things, and if that’s this car’s biggest foible, then this 850 may serve as a good project base. On-going reliability, of course, is another matter entirely, but I suppose that could serve as a teachable exercise too, right?
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Comments
Begging for a Miata engine swap….
Rear engine….
I have a soft spot in my heart for these things. They sold a ton of them, but not many survive today. Most rusted away or were thrown away, unappreciated. Even rarer to find one that runs and looks even half as good as this one. They were never considered “good” by any stretch of the imagination, but I think they are starting to develop a following these days.
With the appropriate transaxle/adapter, I guess….
PBS Engineering made a trans-axel adapter to fit the 124push rod engine and used a reverse kit to run it the other way. Rare Rare Rare these days. I have all this rare adapter stuff
in my OTAS Grand Prix. Look it up!
Would that mean the father and son are both chicks, definitely a chick car, not chick magnet.
Not really. I had a Renault Dauphine Carevelle convertible, given to me to fix, and it was definitely a chick magnet. The Dudes in the Bel Airs, 442’s, GTO’s, and et cetera, just didn’t get it. This was the mid 60’s, of course.
I later sold it and bought a Firebird 400 convertible but have really fond memories of the little Caravelle. The 850 is in that class.
missing the Fiat emblems front and rear, and the all important engine pans not to mention the air filter, wonder how long that carb has been sucking dirt
At college in the mid-70’s, a friend had one. We dubbed it the “Boss 850”, to our mutual amusement. I still call them that…
I didn’t start driving until 1977, I was 15…..this is one car I never saw in my little town, I don’t recall seeing one at all.
A girlfriend in the 70s had a blue one. Never even sat in it. 50 years ago it wasn’t as nice as this one.
My older brother bought a two year old one in this exact color back in ’73 from a Chevrolet dealer.
It had been repainted already, and on closer inspection it was discovered that the engine cradle was rusting out among other things. Iowa/Quad-Cities/salt= destruction.
He had it about a month, it was a trip to ride in but the dealer wound up taking it back because it wasn’t safe. So far gone in so little time.
The replacement was a ’71 Bel-Air, fleet trade in.
Another friend back in ’82 in LA had one as well. Root beer color. Like skimming the ground riding in it.
It threw a transaxle drive shaft IIRC and parts weren’t easy to come by.
He did have someone who knew how to work on them though.
I really like the little FIATS. They need an eye on maintenance but very enjoyable. I had a 1970 850 with 2 903 cc engines. If one had a major problem, out and the rebuild goes in. Easy to work on and tons of fun.
I worked for a Fiat dealer back then and had owned probably 10 of these cars from sedans to coupes, spiders, and even the obscure 850 hardtop Racer. I know these things inside and out. Back then there was an engine swap conversion to replace the 850 engine to a Fiat DOHC 124 engine! Fun times!
True, the DOHC engine could be adapted, yet required a good amount mote modifications to run it backwards. The OHV push rod engine was more easy to convert. and still had plenty of power. Still light weight. I had to replace that ring and pinion with a taller Abarth set that I got from Greg Schmidt back in the 80’s . I just finished putting a coil-over suspension on the front end of my 850 chassis derived OTAS Grand Prix. The transverse leaf spring king-pin 850 front end tends to oversteer a bit. I am hoping this will clear the problems.
I have a 73 completely redone interior and exterior. New seat upholstery, carpeting, etc. etc. All important engine bay sheet metal is complete, no sheet metal and the have issues with overheating. This one is a bit pricey for what’s being offered.
we had 3 or 4 I think. I guess the comprable cant be made today (all the extras required) but I wish they were (1. flip the top up/down while driving, 1 hand). Ie good looking, fair handeling econo-boxes – Karmen Ghia, this, mini, etc. U can mod in the handeling and even more HP. Looks like an owner tried here? Is thata weber 32/36? No wonder no ac, U cant close the lid w/it on…
(I’d make a low rise carb hat & ‘remote’ it.)
The 28/32 Weber carb is better suited to this application. I actually raced another 850 based OTAS once. He was running the single throat (PBI? Solex) carb, and we were neck and neck throughout the entire drag race-comparatively slow as it was. Unless secondary is linked to to rpms over about 5,000, I believe that the CFM will bog the acceleration if prematurely introduced using the secondary with a stock cam. On the visor above the driver in my OTAS was a Dymo Printed stick-on label saying ” When in doubt, floor it! ” Not a muscle car to be sure- but great fun,