The Fiat 850 was launched in 1964, when the company’s grip on the Italian automobile market still was so secure that it could blissfully ignore the winds of change.
Issigonis’s Mini showed the way of the future, with its transverse-engine FWD layout but, contrary to BMC, Fiat was more concerned with making money than making history.
That’s why the Fiat 850 was simply an incremental improvement over the tried and tested 600: more space for people and luggage thanks to its larger dimensions and boxier shape, and an enlarged engine to allow a higher cruising speed on the growing Autostrade network.
Speaking of speed, the stubby third volume of the 850 wasn’t there for extra bourgeoisie appeal. Testing proved the 850 actually needed it to achieve its top speed, as it reduced the formation of drag-inducing air vortexes behind the car. A welcome (and overdue) safety improvement was the relocation of the fuel tank from the front to a less exposed position at the back of the car.
