Fiat 850 Spyder - anyone know these cars?

[unclebilly]

My wife's uncle has a Fiat 850 Spyder. It has been stored in their garage for about 17 years. Her uncle is probably going to be driving for his last summer in 2016.

I offered to get the car running again for him, even if he only drives it 2 - 3 times this summer it will be worthwhile.

It ran when it was parked and had new paint, etc. It is very dry here so i am not worried about rust.

I have not looked at it in detail in 10 years.

My plan of attack is:

Change all fluids.
Drain gas.
Rebuild carb (at least look inside float bowl and clean, make sure needle and seat work).
Change plugs, wires, cap, rotor.

Concerns: seized brakes, seized engine, bad fuel pump, tires.

I have got several vehicles running that haven't run in years before but I have no experience with these. I understand that old FIATs were a special kind of crappy but have no direct experience.

I hope to get this running in a weekend, I have enough of my own projects to last a lifetime.

[356racing]

I had a Siata Spring(Fiat 850 drivetrain) that sat for 30 years before I bought it. The only thing I had to change was the master cylinder and fuel hoses. Drained the fuel tank and coolant(no rust) and cleaned the points. She fired right up! If you can get a lawn mower running a Fiat 850 won't present any problems they are very simple and a lot of fun to toss around on some gravel.

[VincentVega]

Good luck, cool project. Check/replace the fuel lines.

[Don Ro]

Get it running, let him have his fun this coming summer - then buy it from him.
I would.

[Seahawk]

I am looking at a very nice 850 as we type.

The 560SL I have is too nice of a car in terms of being "modern": It does everything so well, so quietly and so German (and Choc did such a fine job with the little bits - plus exhaust - I haven't had to do a thing except oil and filters) I have been searching for a train wreck.

I need help.

[tevake]

Paul, you do need help.
There is a good challenging mustang that came to light resently that could test your metal .

Dido on the slimplicity of old fiats. Just not a lot to them.

Nice plan for the uncle!

Cheers Richard

[jshape]

I had a white 1965 850 Spider that I bought used in 1969. The list of what went wrong or broke was epic. The rear wheel drive axle spindles literally were ground down to nothing and the car stranded my wife on a set of railroad tracks - after that it was traded in on a 1969 VW bug. During my short ownership (6 months) the fan belt pulley broke off shooting metal shards around the engine and cutting wires - twice! The front window broke off in my hand. The rubber shift linkage bushing came apart leaving me in reverse. The driver's seat came off the track. And right after I bought the car, it lost oil pressure after a 10 mile trip that blew oil out of exhaust. But, it was really a nice looking car designed by Bertone and was a lot better than the 1964 Valiant that I traded in to get Not sure if mine was the ultimate lemon or just typical of 1960's Fiats. Did I tell you that it was really a good looking car???

[McLovin]

The 850 is the Fiats of Fiats.

[rcooled]

Originally Posted by jshape

Not sure if mine was the ultimate lemon or just typical of 1960's Fiats.

I actually bought one of these brand new back in 1970. Very cheaply made...everything was just the bare minimum. You don't want to get into even a minor accident with one of these Fiats 'cause it'll simply fold up like a soda can. On the plus side, it was really easy to work on, but don't put too much effort into this car...simply not worth it.

[Dantilla]

A couple 850s for sale:

https://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/cto/5339244778.html

[sc_rufctr]

About 30 years ago I restored a very rough Fiat 500. That car was a lot of fun.
Nothing like Porsche engineering but good enough in most regards. The only real concern is safety. (Marginal brakes and body protection)

You'll mainly use three spanners, 10mm, 13mm and 17mm.

[Don Ro]

Originally Posted by Dantilla

A couple 850s for sale:

https://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/cto/5339244778.html

Seller: "The value of 850's has been rising,..."
.
I've always had a thing for small cars...and I've had a few - still have one.

Somewhat like satisfying a childhood fantasy of wanting to be able to drive one of your toys.

[Dantilla]

Originally Posted by sc_rufctr

... Fiat 500... The only real concern is safety. (Marginal brakes and body protection)

The engineers planned on using your knees as the crumple zone.

[Scuba Steve]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

I am looking at a very nice 850 as we type.

The 560SL I have is too nice of a car in terms of being "modern": It does everything so well, so quietly and so German (and Choc did such a fine job with the little bits - plus exhaust - I haven't had to do a thing except oil and filters) I have been searching for a train wreck.

I need help.

If it's lonely I have a semi-train wreck of a 560SL. Mechanically and electrically it's sorted (even rebuilt the A/C!), but it needs new seat covers and the dash is cracked like they all seem to be. Consider buying it a donation to the 996 fund!

[FastCarFan]

Here's a really nice one I saw several years ago that might give you some inspiration.

[afterburn 549]

Just wait till you take a oil pump apart on one............
They were a great car in their day, basically. a sardine can on wheels .

[Flat Six]

Originally Posted by McLovin

The 850 is the Fiats of Fiats.

For the win! Friend of mine had two (one for parts, of course). Totally fun. Any kind of accident, well, a beer can has more structural integrity. Super easy to work on; easy to overheat as I recall. Vague shifting and steering; made much more so at speed as the front end starts to lift at highway speeds (yeah, right -- must've been downhill). Heard a rattling noise in the engine, couldn't find it. Pulled the head, found a carb nut embedded in one of the piston crowns; looked like it had been there for a while. Ah, memories. Probably the most fun in the worst car I've ever had.

[Mark Henry]

I have a Fiat 640, it's a real workhorse.

[gamin]

I was in the Navy in Spain in the late 60's and bought a used SEAT (Spanish Fiat) 850 Spyder while between Porsche's. Daily driver for about 6 mos. Had to drive it hard to get any performance out of it. Kinda fun car but cheaply built. Didn't have any problems. None. I did think the manual choke was odd. Knob pushed in choke on, knob pulled out choke off. Seemed backwards to me but what did I know.

[Yorkie]

Originally Posted by unclebilly

My wife's uncle has a Fiat 850 Spyder. It has been stored in their garage for about 17 years. Her uncle is probably going to be driving for his last summer in 2016.

I offered to get the car running again for him, even if he only drives it 2 - 3 times this summer it will be worthwhile.

It ran when it was parked and had new paint, etc. It is very dry here so i am not worried about rust.

I have not looked at it in detail in 10 years.

My plan of attack is:

Change all fluids.
Drain gas.
Rebuild carb (at least look inside float bowl and clean, make sure needle and seat work).
Change plugs, wires, cap, rotor.

Concerns: seized brakes, seized engine, bad fuel pump, tires.

I have got several vehicles running that haven't run in years before but I have no experience with these. I understand that old FIATs were a special kind of crappy but have no direct experience.

I hope to get this running in a weekend, I have enough of my own projects to last a lifetime.

I would also remove the plugs and dribble some Marvel Mystery Oil down the holes and spin it over a few times before attempting to fire it.