Lot details
Registration No: DBW590K
Chassis No: 0375363
Mot Expiry: Jan 2013

The masters of affordable small family cars dating back to the Topolino of the 1930s, Fiat introduced the 850 at the 1965 Geneva Salon. It was a technical evolution of the successful 600 and was produced in two-door Coupe, Spider and Estate guises. Coupe production continued until 1971 when the model was supplanted by the front-wheel drive 127. It was in 1968 that the Sport versions of the 850 were unveiled, for which the engines had been increased in capacity to 903cc and now gave 52bhp - sufficient for a combination of a 90mph top speed and frugal 40mpg. The Sport Coupe was immediately identifiable by its quad headlamp arrangement.

This delightful-looking Positano Yellow example from 1971 is understood to have had just one lady owner until 2008. In 1998 'DBW 590K' benefited from an extensive body restoration and bare metal respray by marque specialist Auto Rossa of Ringwood, Hants. Eight years later it was treated to a thorough engine and brake overhaul by L&S Motors of Cobham, Surrey. A further six years on and the vendor deems the bodywork, paintwork, Black-coloured interior, four-cylinder engine and four-speed manual gearbox as all being in "excellent" order. The little Fiat is being sold complete with original bill of sale, handbooks, toolkit and an MOT into January 2013.