1969 Fiat 850 2 door Coupe 847cc

Summary:

A fun, but vulnerable car (class <1) deathtrap

Faults:

Oversteered a lot near 0.8g. Spun it sideways a few times when pushed, but controllable *abrupt. Like a wild go kart.

Halfshaft popped out of tranny several times.

Alternator/generator died at 48K.

Got over 35mpg hwy CA to NJ 2/72 kept log.

Vinyl interior oil film on windows when hot.

Engine seized at about 55,000.

General Comments:

My first car $1560 used at a BMW dealer when the best BMW was $5500.

Lowered it even more (Abarth) & wider alums 6" & Veith tires 13x165x70? Rubbed once in a while, so banged out the fender.

Made a nose spoiler 7" @ 45deg 3"+inches off ground.

Konis added-FIRM Top speed 101mph passenger wt =260.

Was a fun car to zip around like a madman in. Lucky to be alive from age 17-20. Almost made it in back seat.

2x3' area.

Economy is no value for a car in hwy accidents and this would car would fold up on you. It is a dainty car and life is too short.

1971 Datsun 510 sedan in '74 for $1200 (ventura CA)

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 23rd January, 2008

11th May 2008, 13:04

Fiat 850's were in the 1960's "Bubble Car" category. BMW also had a bubble car (not the Mini Cooper) then. We are going to see a BIG revival of the Bubble Car in the next 20 years. When gas is $5+ per gallon in America, size will take a back seat. Air bags will help with safety.

In the 1960's cars had frames, while the European companies like Fiat were getting away from frames to make the cars lighter and more economical. Fiat also used a thinner gauge of body metal than the American cars of the time. Today, thin bodies are the standard. Also, most current US and Asian passenger cars have only a sheet metal pan to ride on and will as you say, "fold up." Do a search for "Smart Car" and you will see the car of the not so distant future.

1971 Fiat 850 Spyder 850cc

Summary:

Fun

Faults:

Floor pans rusted. Typical for Fiats. Soviet steel.

Not the best electrical system. The headlight (plastic toggle) switch would over load and melt. I added relays for high and low beams and cured the problem.

General Comments:

Fun Car. Not much power. Good memories. The French Blue Shaggin' Wagin'

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 21st June, 2007

1972 Fiat 850 Sport 903cc

Summary:

Unique and entertaining car

Faults:

From the factory, they blow head gaskets at 60mph early in life if the cooling system isn't kept clean and well maintained.

I have found a lot of these cars parked indefinitely, low mileage, with a blown headgasket the culprit.

General Comments:

Superb handling! I took this car to college and put 20,000 grueling miles on it traversing mountain passes and delivering pizza.

To make this vehicle durable and adequate for freeway speeds I studded the engine block with 7/16 studs, upgraded the camshaft and installed high compression pistons. A large Weber carburetor was used and glass pack exhaust.

My 72 was still slow, but not AS slow. I was young and drove it extremely hard, but with these few modifications it still performed perfectly when I eventually sold it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 12th February, 2007

1968 Fiat 850 Sport 850cc

Summary:

It was an ideal first car that provided excellent road feel and predictable handling

Faults:

The convertable top did not seal very well, but it was down most of the time anyways.

General Comments:

Great fun to drive, you could wind it up like a watch and drive it hard all day.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 1st February, 2007

1971 Fiat 850 Sport Spider

Summary:

Not a daily driver, but nice to collect and show

Faults:

Needs a lot of work and maintenance, do not think to drive this car in the mountains or if it is too hot, all 850 will overheat.

Only Fiat will install a radiator with the motor in the back, I'm thinking to set up a radiator in the front like the X1/9.

With today's traffic, this car is too slow

General Comments:

Still, this is a good Italian car and it will turn heads when I drive it, or I take it to the Italian car shows.

It handles like a race car (but without the speed).

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 19th September, 2003

11th Sep 2004, 08:45

I ran an 850 Sport Spider in the 70's. I have never driven a car with more under steer; this car desperately wanted to go backwards. Being 20 at the time, this meant several nose bleeds for the Fiat. The last hurrah for the car for me was in 76 when the generator casting failed and the generator fell off the engine. I now own 2 Lotus Europa S2's.

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