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1965 Fiat 850 Coupé/Spider
Inline four-cylinder, 843/903 cm3, 65 x 63.5/68 mm, engine rotation: left, crankshaft with triple bearings, compression ratio: 9.3/9.5:1, premium gasoline, OHV, chain drive, dual Weber carburetor), Torque 61/63
*/68 Nm at 3600/4000 rpm, 35/36*/38 kW (47/49*/52 hp) at 6200/6500 rpm, fuel tank capacity: 30 liters, fuel consumption: approx. 7 liters/100 km, rear-engine, rear-wheel drive, four-speed, (semi-)automatic optional,
wheelbase 2,027 mm, turning circle 9,800 mm, front: upper wishbone, lower transverse leaf spring, rear: two-joint swing axle, worm-segment steering, disc/drum brakes, 520-13/145 R 13/150 SR 13 (4.5"), Spider design,
Giugiaro (Bertone), length 3,650/3,820* mm, width 1,425/1,498* mm, height 1,385/1,220* mm, fuel tank capacity 30 liters, curb weight 725/745* kg + driver, gross vehicle weight 935 kg, top speed 145/152 km/h,
presentation, Geneva 1965, 1965 - 1972, purchase price, 5,690/7,300* DM (1965), electrics, 12 volt/ 230/770 W, total production; just under 350,000/more than 132,000*, accessories Spider, hardtop (from approx. 1,000,-
(picture below), *Spider
It was available with just two main headlights, plus additional smaller lamps and such of the same size. Of the Series 1, 2, or 3, the middle one probably looked the best. Above, you can see the Series 3.
Despite its narrow track, rear engine and relatively simple chassis, it knew how to please. There was no risk of rear end skidding. You'd have to really provoke it. However, the suspension/damping wasn't the most
comfortable.
The engine and driving performances were absolutely contemporary. When not accelerating, the engine even produced a moderate amount of noise. A small touring car, at least for two people. With children and luggage it
became tight, because the spare tire also had space in the front trunk.
Before you consider purchasing it as a classic car, you should consider its very short wheelbase. That's almost 40 cm less than, say, a VW Beetle. This was already cramped enough, but at least it was relatively free of
pitching motion, something the Fiat would have to prove on a test drive.
Just try to find a major design difference between a coupe and a convertible with the same model name. And if you add the sedan, you'll have an even harder time. And yet, the coupe and spider were eye-catchers in their
own way.
Both also had the same upgraded dashboard—more was probably not possible in this price range. During the facelift, both received a more powerful engine, and the Spider lost its bulging eyes in favor of more vertical
headlights. The front bumper was raised and, like the rear, equipped with rubberized horns.
From the side, and if you look closely, the overhangs at the rear and especially at the front are noticeable. This comes from the base model, the 850 sedan. Even expert hands can't change that. But otherwise, it's well-
made. Almost like a large convertible, it has a soft-top compartment and an optional hardtop. Even the dashboard has been redesigned compared to the sedan.
Not exactly cheap, but still reasonably priced compared to other convertibles. The engine, which essentially dates back to the 1950s or earlier, revs up to a respectable level despite its side-mounted camshaft and only
three crankshaft bearings. While it's considered loud, it's not particularly mechanically vulnerable. The same cannot be said for the potential rust on the body, which already placed Fiat among the top mass manufacturers
at the time.
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