Fiat 850 Coupe Polycarbonate Windows

The Fiat 850 Coupe may not be the first name that comes to mind when thinking about Italian performance cars, but this little machine packed a surprising amount of character, charm, and racing pedigree into a small, lightweight package. Built as a sportier version of the practical Fiat 850 sedan, the Coupe combined Italian flair, nimble handling, and rear-engine excitement to become a favourite among enthusiasts and even found itself competing in motorsport.
Introduced in 1965, the Fiat 850 Coupe took the compact, economy-oriented 850 platform and gave it a sportier edge. Designed by Fiat’s in-house styling team, the Coupe featured a sleek fastback design, a distinctive front end, and a more aggressive stance compared to its sedan counterpart. It was the kind of car that looked fast even when standing still, despite the fact that, by today’s standards, it wasn’t exactly a powerhouse.
Powering the 850 Coupe was a rear-mounted, water-cooled inline-four, an evolution of Fiat’s small-displacement engines. Early models featured an 843cc engine producing 47 horsepower, which might sound modest, but in a car weighing just over 700 kg, it was enough to make it feel lively. Later versions saw improvements, with the 850 Sport Coupe getting a 903cc engine with 52 horsepower, allowing it to reach a top speed of around 95 mph, plenty fast for a lightweight Italian coupe in the 1960s.
But the 850 Coupe wasn’t about straight-line speed, it was all about handling, balance, and fun. With a rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout, it had a playful nature that rewarded skilled drivers. The steering was light and direct, and thanks to its compact dimensions and low curb weight, it was effortlessly agile, perfect for winding Italian mountain roads.
It didn’t take long for the 850 Coupe to catch the attention of motorsport enthusiasts. The car’s lightweight chassis and simple mechanical setup made it an ideal candidate for road racing and rallying. In local and national rally championships across Europe, the 850 Coupe became a favourite among privateer teams, who appreciated its mechanical simplicity and reliability.
Fiat itself got involved in competition with the Fiat 850 TC (Turismo Competizione) and 850 Abarth variants. These were extensively modified versions, built with the help of Abarth, Fiat’s legendary tuning partner. The 850 Abarth models received larger-displacement engines, tuned suspension, upgraded brakes, and stripped-down interiors, making them lightweight racing machines capable of competing against much larger and more powerful rivals. Some of these tuned versions could push 80-90 horsepower, an impressive feat considering the car’s size and original power output.
One of the 850 Coupe’s biggest strengths was its durability and affordability in motorsport. Unlike exotic race cars that required constant maintenance and expensive parts, the 850 Coupe was rugged and simple to work on, making it an ideal choice for entry-level racers. Whether on tight tarmac rally stages or circuit racing, it proved itself as a fun, engaging, and surprisingly competitive machine.
Even outside of racing, the 850 Coupe built a dedicated fan base thanks to its combination of affordable performance, stylish looks, and everyday usability. Unlike some classic Italian sports cars, it wasn’t an impractical, temperamental diva, it was a car you could drive daily, take on a spirited weekend blast, or even enter into amateur racing events.
Over the years, the Fiat 850 Coupe has gained classic status, but it remains one of the most underrated small sports cars of its era. It might not have had the raw speed of a Ferrari or the rally dominance of the Fiat 131 Abarth, but what it offered was pure driving joy in a tiny, beautifully designed package.
Today, finding a well-preserved Fiat 850 Coupe is becoming increasingly rare, as rust and time have taken their toll on many of these cars. But those who own one know that this little Italian coupe represents an era where driving was about more than just numbers, it was about feel, connection, and fun.
For those lucky enough to drive an 850 Coupe today, it’s a reminder of why small, lightweight cars will always have a place in the hearts of true driving enthusiasts. It may have been a modest machine on paper, but on the road, and especially in the hands of a skilled driver, it was a true Italian sports car at heart.