1971 Fiat 850

Fiat had a reputation and history of building small and affordable family cars, dating back to the Topolino of the 1930s. Their Fiat 850 was introduced at the 1965 Geneva Salon, and was a technical evolution of the successful 600. It was available as a two-door coupe, Spider, and Estate and production would continue until 1971 when the model was supplanted by the front-wheel drive 127.

It may not have been very fast or a technologically innovative vehicle, but it was fun and wore distinctive styling be Bertone. Much of the car was based on the Fiat 600 although its purpose was drastically different. Unlike most engines, the engine of the 850 ran counter clockwise.

The Sport version of the 850 was unveiled in 1968, and came powered by an enlarged 903cc engine that now offered 52 horsepower. The car offered both a 90 mph top speed and a frugal 40 mpg. The 850 Sport had headlights without Plexiglas covers giving it a 'frogeye' appearance.

By Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2016

Sold for $12,285 at 2012 Bonhams - Greenwich Concours d'Elegance: Collectors' Motorcars and Automobilia.
Sold for $24,200 at 2017 RM Sothebys : Hershey.
This Fiat 850 Spider by Bertone is a late-production model finished in the color combination of Graphite over a red interior, with a black convertible top. It is powered by the most powerful available engine and fitted with options such as chrome wire wheels, whitewall tires, a luggage rack, and front and rear bumper guards.

This car was sold in 2017 at RM Sotheby's auction held in Hershey, PA. Proceeds from the sale benefitted the AACA Library & Research Center. To entice bidders further, there was an undisclosed amount of cash in the boot of the car - for the winning bidder. Thus, its final sale price was higher than if these incentives were not offered.

By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2017