1968 Fiat 850 Coupe Series 1 Project Car -- Great for Abarth OT 1000 OTS Tribute

1968 Fiat 850 Coupe Description

This listing is for a 1968 Fiat 850 Coupe located in sunny Southern California.

OVERVIEW

This 850 Coupe is a Series 1 model with the desirable early exterior lighting (two headlights, wo taillights, mall sidemarkers) and early, lean body contours. Very few Series 1 cars were exported to the U.S. The VIN is 100GC0150371 indicating that this particular car was built in early 1968 with the 817cc engine and stronger dual-circuit braking system (disc front/drum rear). This car has lots of potential and is an excellent restoration project. It reflects the purest 850 Coupe design by stylist Mario Boano.

This car would be the perfect starting point for an Abarth 1000 OT/OTS/OTR, 300 Coupe, r 2000 OT tribute car. A later “quad-light” Series 2 car will not be authentic to the original Abarth cars.

This 850 Coupe is a recent garage find, idden from the public for roughly two decades in storage. The car has a clean title in my name and is currently on California non-operational status. There are no back registration fees due and this car is ready to be registered for road use.

ENGINE/MECHANICAL

As the photos taken just days ago show, he car needs a bit of work to be returned to drivable status. The car has been sitting in a dry garage for several years with the cylinder head removed, hough the cylinder bores look shiny and the engine turns freely by hand. The head was removed when I received the car, ut I do not know why – an educated guess says the head gasket needed replacement. The original cylinder head, alvetrain, ntake, nd Weber 30 DIC carburetor are included with the sale and show no obvious damage to my eye (see photos). I have made no attempt to get the car running. If I were to complete this project, 'd simply swap a running Fiat 903cc into the car.

At “push down the street” speed, he brakes do slow and stop the car, o they have some degree of functionality – at least enough to get the car on and off a trailer, t present. The four-speed shift lever moves through all gears just fine. The tires are unworn and uncracked, ith their original molding “nubs,” visible and were installed just a few years ago. The car rolls freely and is easily movable.

INTERIOR

Inside, he dash is cracked, ut in far better condition than most original dashes that have all but disintegrated. Indoor storage has treated this cabin well. The original headliner is present with only minor damage, hile the seats have some seam separation and cracks and the speedometer is missing its bezel so the glass is loose.

The original wood trim is worn and cracked in spots, ut present to make a template from. The rare, riginal twin-spoke aluminum steering wheel is in place as well as, arly-style front seats with what appears to be original upholstery, he original headliner, un visors, he rear seat and the “glove shelf” and heater. he glass is all intact, indows roll up and down and the car shows no signs of major modification from stock. The stock FIAT branded seatbelts are in place and the original FIAT branded keys are included, long with spares.

EXTERIOR

As is obvious in the photos, he car has some rust. Photos show these trouble spots best, ou can see the worst spots are in a few common areas: front hood, runk/front valance, nd battery tray. The hood, ou’ll just want to replace with a readily available spare – it’s not worth fixing. The floor pans look remarkably solid with some previous patchwork. There are minor dents on the driver’s side door and behind the passenger side door (see photos), ut both should pull out cleanly.

Both bumpers (plus correct over-riders) and even the original cooling tins at the bottom of the engine compartment are present. All badging is present including the original aluminum build plate, hich confirms both the VIN number and the original red paint (paint code 159 Rosso). This car was loved for much of its life, ’d argue.

Pease note this sale includes an original Fiat 850 Coupe owner’s manual, photocopy of a period Car and Driver road test review, long with two rare, enuine FAZA 850 hop-up part advertisements published by the late guru and 850 racer, l Cosentino.

THE FINE PRINT

This 850 Coupe’s patina is honest and it’s ready to be made roadworthy once more. I encourage you to see this Fiat in person and bid to own because there is no reserve! Please contact me with any questions before the end of the listing and I’ll do my best to answer. A $100 non-refundable deposit via PayPal is required within 24 hours of auction close. The balance is due upon collecting the vehicle. This vehicle will have to be towed at the buyer's expense and it must be removed from my property within 10 days of auction close. I cannot tow this vehicle for you. The vehicle is sold AS-IS, HERE-IS. Please do not bid if you can not uphold these terms.

Best of luck, appy bidding!