Fiat 850 Coupé

Manufacturer	FIAT
Main type	Coupe
Production	from 1965 to 1971
Produced	384.906
Length	3608 m m
Width	1500 mm
Height	1300 mm
Project	Dante Giacosa
Style	Mario Boano  for Fiat Style Centre

The Fiat 850 Coupé, later renamed the Fiat 850 Sport Coupé, is a sport car model produced by FIAT between 1965 and 1971.

History

The principal characteristic of the 850 Coupé. as of the saloon, is the reliability of the handling which is indeed even more marked than in the lower-powered version. The stability of the car at high speeds. even with a side wind, is excellent. and the reactions of the car offer a large margin to compensate for minor driving errors, without this meaning any dangerous sluggishness in response to the controls. For a rear-engine car with the engine sprung on the axle this is not an easy result to obtain. The Turin factory has managed to achieve it by the improvement of well-tried technical solutions. rather than by original methods. Exceptional taste has been shown in the fittings of the interior. and the arrangement of the controls is worthy of a sports car with a much higher performance. The instruments are well grouped under the driver's eyes. and the only thing lacking a rev. counter which the manufacturers supply as the fresh-air heating system, of the kind used on other Fiat models is very efficient and. thanes to the front air intake, does not suffer from any infiltration of gases from the engine.

A few months after the launch of the " 850 sedan ", dozens of Specials derived from that chassis were presented at the Turin Motor Show, in the coupé, spider, Berlinetta, 4-door sedan and beach version, made by Savio, Vignale, Allemano, Moretti, OSI, Boneschi, Francis Lombardi, Michelotti, Siata and Zagato, indicating the size of the potential market. Once the serious structural and organizational problems caused by the war were resolved and the company coffers were replenished with the sales success achieved by the small cars of the great series, FIAT also decided to try again in the field of small sports cars, already tested with the " Balilla Sport”. The new "850" Coupé and Spider versions were presented simultaneously at the Geneva Motor Show, March 11, 1965, and the appearance on the market of these two models decreed the beginning of the descending parabola that, in the following decade, brought many Special vehicle manufacturers at closure.

The Fiat 850 Coupé built just under twelve months after the saloon. was immediately successful with the public which welcomed it enthusiastically. The demand for a low-priced car with the characteristics of a touring car and the maintenance costs of amass-produced car was certainly the factor which decided Fiat on the production But. leaving aside the economic and psychological motives of purchasers. The most important fact to be emphasised is that the 850 Coupé is certainly worth more than it costs. Two determining factors lead to this statement: the first is the very high level of the car's aesthetic appeal which, given the internal dimensions of the vehicle, could not have been easy to obtain: the second is the performance, which is of a far higher level than could be expected of such a small car.

Dante Giacosa, under whose aegis the "850 Coupé" project was created, had given instructions to maintain the general layout, the platform and most of the mechanics used for the "850 Berlina" model; it was therefore a matter of making changes, within rigidly established limits. The Fiat Style Centre, led by Mario Boano, embodied a sober and balanced line, managing to achieve an elegant and sporty appearance, while adopting the aerodynamic innovation of the K shape, maintaining a passenger compartment for 4 people and a front boot of sufficient capacity. The only drawback is the height of the grille , due to the spare tire , but it was visually mitigated by headlights of greatest diameter .The interior with wood trim on the dashboard , the two-round racing- style instrument panel with large diameters particularly reminiscent of that of the fifties Ferraris and seats covered in sky -type sports, but also quite comfortable for long journeys and with reclining backrests in both directions for access to the rear bench.

The mechanical elements of the 850 Coupé are entirely derived from the saloon, exploiting more fully its possibilities while maintaining a wide margin of safety. To comfort the happy aesthetic-ergonomic result, it was the success of the mechanical transformation made of many small changes, starting from the moving masses, improved by the braking system with Bendix discs at the front and by tires of greater diameter. The steering column was equipped with an elastic joint and the electrical system was completely redone and modernized. Great attention was given to the engine (Type 100 GC 000) with the increase in the diameter of the intake and exhaust valves, also equipped with a double return spring, and with the variations to the connecting rods, to the sky profile of the pistons and to the distribution shaft, now controlled by a double track chain. The feeding system was improved with the adoption of a new intake manifold and of the double-body Weber carburettor with super-feeder device. The exhaust system saw the elimination of the manifold, replaced by 4 separate ducts that convey the gases directly to the silencer.

The engine easily reaches the respectable maximum of 6.600 rpm and is willing to go over it in the lower gears without showing any signs of fatigue. The transmission is well up to the demands of the engine and the distance the lever has to travel from one gear to another is in keeping with the needs of fast driving.

The "850 Coupé" came in white, beige, steel Gray, light blue, medium blue, red and black body colours. Proposed in a single set-up, it could be embellished, on request, with the rev counter, the anti-theft steering lock and the tires with a white band.

The commercial response was higher than expected and FIAT ordered a doubling of production, from the 100 units / day initially planned to the next 200. In addition to the distinctive aesthetic aspect, the popularity of the public was due to the car's compliance with the needs of a wide range of potential buyers, also thanks to the operating economy, the reasonable purchase price and the considerable benefits. Indeed, with its 140 km / h of speed maximum, the little "850 Coupé" was able to keep up with the car’s engine capacity and costs much higher. In less than 3 years, about 180,000 were produced.

PERFORMANCE: 843 cc

• fuel consumption: 40.3 m/imp gal, 33.6 m/US gal, 7 1 x 100 km
• max speed:85.8 mph, 138 km/h
• max power (SAE): 52 hp at 6,400 rpm,max torque (SAE): 46 1b ft, 6.3 kg m at 4,000 rpm
• max engine rpm: 6,600
• max speeds: 23.6 mph, 38 km/h in 1st gear; 42.3 mph, 68 km/h in 2nd gear; 61.5 mph, 99 km/h in 3rd gear; 85.8 mph, 138 km/h in 4th gear
• power-weight ratio: 30.4 lb/hp, 13.8 kg/hp
• acceleration: standing 1/4 mile 21 sec, 0—50 mph (0—80 km/h) 14.3 sec

In 1968 the debut of the "850 Berlina" model in the "Special" version, equipped with the 47 bhp engine of the "850 Coupé", significantly reduced the speed performance gap between the sedan and the coup, making it necessary to upgrade: Geneva Motor Show of the same year the new version called "850 Sport Coupé" was presented, equipped with the new undercarriage type 100 GBC 000 with increased displacement at 903 cm³, obtained by leaving the bore unchanged and extending the stroke to 68 mm.

PERFORMANCE: 903cc

• engine capacity: 55.10 cu in, 903 cu cm
• fuel consumption: 39.3 m/imp gal, 32.7 m/US gal, 7.2 1 x 100 km
• max speed: 92 mph, 148 km/h
• max power (DIN): 52 hp at 6.500 rpm
• max torque (DIN): 48 1b ft, 6.6 kg m at 4,000 rpm
• max engine rpm: 6,600
• specific power: 55.7 hp/l
• power-weight ratio: 31.6 lb/hp, 14.3 kg/hp
• acceleration: standing 1/4 mile 20.3 sec, 0—50 mph (0—80 km/h) 12.3 sec

The increase in power to 52 hp involved various modifications starting with the best material for valves and seats, different calibration of the carburettor, radial tires, in addition to the adoption of an oversized oil sump, an automatic game recovery system for the rear brakes and to replace the dynamo with the alternator for the changed needs of electric power determined by the new additional depth lights and the reversing lights. From an aesthetic point of view, the innovations were even more numerous and more noticeable. The front has a new design with twin headlights, two 170 mm and two 130 mm deep, mounted inside and set in the centre of the grille. The position and direction light assemblies are placed under the bumper, now equipped with rubberized blades.

The most important changes concern the belt line that rises slightly at the rear wheels, while the pavilion takes on a slenderer shape, thanks to the different radius of curvature that softens the connection with the truncated tail, forming a small hint of spoiler rear and improving the aerodynamic coefficient. In addition to the appearance of the barely visible tails at the rear lights, the rear is characterized by the addition of two reversing lights, twinned and in line with the existing position and stop lights.

Even the interiors were affected by some changes, such as the different shape of the rear bench, the affixing of a storage console on the tunnel, the finish of the carpet floor and the widespread use of sound-absorbing material, in an attempt to increase the soundproofing of the cockpit from the roar of the engine. Despite the many improvements, the list price remained substantially unchanged and, as had happened for the "850 Coupé", the road and track tests of the "850 Sport Coupé", carried out by the sectoral magazines, returned performances sensibly higher than those declared by the manufacturer.

The last aesthetic update of the model was carried out in 1971, a few months before the production ceased, with a restyling of the front that operated a raising and enlargement of the headlights of depth, modifying the sheets of the calendar. The change was dictated by the adaptation to the regulations that increased the minimum height of the headlights from the ground, which came into force for the British market.

The "850 Sport Coupé" renewed the success achieved by the previous "850 Coupé", making about 200,000 units sold. Moreover, at the time there were no competing cars on the international market for displacement and price that could boast similar performance at such modest costs.

The great cost-effectiveness of the operation was also confirmed by the victory of the Bussolino-Pallisca and Bussolino-Barbera crews that on board of the "850 Sport Coupé" won first place overall in the 14th and 15th Mobil Economy Run, held respectively at Le Mans in 1969 and in Marseille in 1970, on this last occasion completing the route at an average of 98.110 km / h with an average consumption of 7.976 l / 100 km. 

Starting from 1967 the "850 Coupé" model was built under license by SEAT, at that time FIAT's Spanish subsidiary, under the name Seat 850 Coupé, achieving the same sales success. The new Seat 850 Sport Coupé version entered production in December 1969, remaining there until 1972. Both versions have technical and aesthetic characteristics almost identical to the corresponding versions produced in Italy.

As far as sports use is concerned, the small SEAT coupés were mainly and massively used in rally races, both with official crews and private pilots. Already in the year of first marketing the Sutil-Morán crew won the 1967 Oviedo Rally, inaugurating a long series of national and international competitions in which the car displayed its agility, strength and power. The last major competition was the Rallye Costa Brava of 1974, where the now obsolete "850 Sport Coupe", he managed to finish the race with an honourable third place in his category and 20 overall.

Le Abarth 

Already in the late summer of 1965 the Abarth had prepared the sports equipment " Coupé 1000 OT ", with increased engine at 982 cm³ of 62 hp, flanked by the "OTR" version, equipped with radial head with combustion chambers formed by two hemispherical caps contiguous that bring the power to 74 HP and the maximum speed to 172 km / h. Finally, in a "delirium of power" at the Exhibition of racing cars, inaugurated in the Biscaretti Museum on 25 February 1966, the Abarth presented the " Coupé 2000 OT " version with "monstrous" performance. The intent of Carlo Abarthit was to make a car that was economically affordable, but definitely competitive for the private drivers who ventured into international rallies. Reinforced in the body, with new brakes and suspensions, the tiny "850 Coupé" in the "2000 OT" version had been equipped with the two-litre four-cylinder twin- cylinder engine of the " Sport Prototype " which, although weakened to "only" 185 hp (DIN), pushed the car to over 240 km / h. All for the price of L 3.850.000, basically reasonable for a competition car. 

Strong concerns were raised by the FIAT management regarding the supply of the 500 bodies needed to validate the "2000 OT" in the " Tourism " category. The commercial office of the Turin-based company feared that some of the cars put up for free sale and registered for normal circulation, could end up in the hands of inexperienced drivers unable to control the enormous power of the vehicle, with a predictable detriment to the corporate image in case of accidents. On the other hand, Carlo Abarth was eager to see the car on the race tracks, given that thanks to the favourable weight / power ratio, very short wheelbase and small overall dimensions, he promised great results in the category of use.

The solution of the diatribe was entrusted to the judgment of the FIAT president Gianni Agnelli who, after having tried the "2000 OT" in the circuit, praised the extraordinary performance, but agreed with the validity of the fears expressed by the FIAT management and the prototype was not put on production. To console Carlo Abarth of the disappointment suffered, FIAT granted the use and processing of the new engine built for the " 124 " model, with a power limit set at 75 hp. Thus the " Coupé 1300 OT was born", the latest Abarth variation on the" 850 Coupé "theme, presented at the Turin Motor Show in November 1966. As for the" monster 2000 OT "it was made in very few specimens, perhaps 5, for promotional purposes and then sold to foreign customers, especially Germans and Spaniards, in whose nations the rules allowed the road homologation of the car. 

The Roman Giannini faced the theme of elaboration of the "Coupé 850" in a much less radical way than the Abarth, limiting itself to proposing two versions equipped with a new single-shaft head ; the first with unchanged power compared to the standard model and the second with 58 HP, thanks to the increase in displacement to 950 cm³.The transformation of Giannini was mainly based on the scenic effect, with accurate finishes and a good range of accessories that included the instrument panel with additional indicators and the Borrani spoke wheels.