bellett.net

One for the Fiat fans amongst us.

Sadly, it's time to move my Special on, as I need the space to complete the Duane's Bond, and I know I won't have time to start the dear little thing for a few years. So, offered for sale is one 1970 Fiat 850 Special (sedan with 903cc Sport engine, steering wheel and front disc brakes).

Good Points:
Very original and complete car.
Bonnet rust repaired (metal) and primed in acrylic.
Replaced gearbox mounts and linkages.
New gasket and needle kit on carby.
Includes new front and rear window rubbers, new tail-light lenses, new master cylinder (not req'd as I fixed the old one), new front badge, new air filter.

Bad Points:
Rust inside A pillars, near door hinges (other areas, but not major).
Engine turns over, but low compression - needs valves.
New driver's side window regulator, but not installed yet.

Has been off the road for about 5 years, a little bit of work and it could be ready to register again, or a perfect honest car for restoration.

Please email me for more photos, or any questions.

PRICE: $1,000

SOLD!

wow that was quick! congrats on the sale.

I know Fid, and I'm still getting calls for it today! Cheers, I'm glad it's stayed local...even closer than you may think.

I found the new owner! gotta admit i was tempted, just for the novelty factor of a tall(slightly bigger build) guy unfolding from it when parked!

Congrats on the quick sale. Don't see too many sedans, mostly the fastback sports.
Pretty easy project, I reckon.
Cheers, Matt.

Cheers Matt, yes they are very thin on the ground...I used to drive a Special (and a Sport) back when I was in uni ~1990, there were 3 Sports in the carpark on a regular basis (plus Hillman Imps, early Falcons, Austin A40s, more Morris Minors than you could poke a stick at), but never saw another sedan on the road.

No-one ever batted an eyelid at 850s, they were just cheap old cars back then, so the interest in them these days is bemusing, but understandable. Series 2 Sports are still easy to find if you really want one...they must have sold a bundle of those things, big sales for Fiat in the late 1960s.

I had intended to drive the car daily, believing that only the gearbox was stuffed (quick inspection showed it was gearbox mounts only), but when I discovered the engine needed work too, I decided to go the Abarth route. After 18 months or so of trying to find rare Abarth bits, I decided it would be faster to restore the Bond instead! I've still got a stash of Abarth bits, hoping I'll find something super special to stuff them in one day (like the Lombardi that keeps popping up on Gumtree Perth, or the 850 Spiders circulating on eBay)...so I'll probably end up selling them all in a few years.