1965 FIAT 850 Coupe 0.8L 4MT (48 HP)

Vehicle Overview

After the successful Fiat 600, the Italian car-maker dared to increase the size of the small vehicle, increased its engine displacement, and produced the 850. In 1965, it made the Coupe version.

The market was thirsty for affordable, easy to buy, and run coupe vehicles. Since the platform afforded, all that the car-maker had to do was change the shape of the 850 and offer it to the market. It was a success.

Fiat’s designers took their inspiration from the Ferrari Dino when they shaped the 850 Coupe. Financial reasons forced them to use more parts from the regular model, leading to a flat front face and the two round headlights. The trunk was in the front, and its lid sat lower than the fenders. With a sloped roof toward the engine compartment, which was in the back, the 850 Coupe showed an athletic profile that captured the imagination for speed and performance, even though the small engine was not designed for that.

The interior was simple, with a two-spoke steering wheel and a small instrument cluster with two round dials. It was made to look like a sportier vehicle with a speedometer on the left and a tachometer on the right. The floor-mounted gearstick was different than other Fiat models, which featured steering-column mounted gear levels. There was room for two in the front and barely room for adults in the back. But, unlike the 850 sedan (still with two doors), the 850 coupe was available with power steering.

The small, 0.85-liter engine was placed in the back. It was paired to a 4-speed manual gearbox. It offered more power than the 850 sedan.