1968 Fiat 850 coupe - today's mini exotic tempter

By: Guy Allen, Unique Cars magazine

Date: 04.04.2018

1968 Fiat 850 coupe

1968 Fiat 850 coupe

Sporty hardtop

Perhaps the definition of 'sporty' has changed in the decades since this tiny two-door first appeared, but at the time it at least had the looks to carry the description, if not the outright performance.

Fiat's rear-engine 850 platform was based around an OHV inline four 817cc powerplant, running an aluminium head and iron block. That was matched to a four-speed all-synchro manual transmission or a four-speed semi-auto.

It was produced in three main forms: the Berlina family two-door, a spider assembled at Bertone and this coupe. There were also some specials on the same floorpan, including commercial and 'familia' offshoots.

The coupe ran a high-power version of the engine, claiming 47 horses (35kW) at 6400rpm, and 66Nm at 4000rpm, which was quite respectable in a 730kg car. Acceleration was around 20sec to 100km/h - okay in its day. It claimed a more arresting top speed, nudging 135-140km/h.

This example is a manual in left-hand-drive. It's in Vic and is priced at $27,500.

See our Fiat features.

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