1971 Fiat 850 Sport Spider review from North America
"A low cost, quirky Italian classic"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Car needed a lot of maintenance when I received it. Gearbox synchro needed replacing, belts, oil seals, carboretta rebuild, brake rebuild, gaskets, heater valve.
General comments?
This was a fun and relatively easy restoration project for a beginner. The car is now reliable and fun to drive at weekends so long as you stay on top of the small maintenance needs.
It's quite nimble, small and light and handles quite well.
Recommended Reviews:
![]() ![]() | Not a daily driver, but nice to collect and show |
![]() ![]() | Maybe not a classic, but certainly a fun collectible |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Yes |
| First year of ownership | 1999 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2002 |
| Engine and transmission | 903cc Gas Manual |
| Performance marks | 8/10 |
| Reliability marks | 6/10 |
| Comfort marks | 4/10 |
| Dealer Service marks | |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 8/10 |
| Distance when acquired | 27000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 29000 miles |
| Previous car | Audi S6 |
| Date of Entry | 11th April, 2002 |




