La minuscola Fiat 850. Madre di molti.

 

The 1966 Caprera 850 Berlinetta, a little known and rarely seen one-off prototype. Based on the diminutive Fiat 850 chassis and mechanicals, the design was seen as a "downmarket Dino." It never advanced to market, as build costs were too high to offset disappointing performance. Still, it was a pretty thing.

However, Fiat's Tipo 100G platform, or the 850 as its commonly known, went on to spawn an eclectic mix of Italian style that few others could match.

Fiat's had their own Coupe designed by Guigario.

Which Carlo Abarth couldn't resist tinkering with, including throwing some (much) bigger engines its way.

which he also did with the Berlina for that matter.

as well as signore Abarth, the classless 850 Coupe won over many other hearts, with over 380000 manufactured.

Need practical? The 850 has you covered, here with the Amigo.

Bertone's "Visitors" van, clearly has 850 dna.

But the eye catchers, to many, are the Tipo 100G based Sport's cars that didn’t leave Fiat's Mirafiori plant.

Guigario's Coupé sibling, the Spider, born of another mother, Bertone.

The 850 Spider Vignale. Produced from 1964 to 1969 with just under 1,000 units, it is far rarer than than the Bertone designed model.

and in turn, there's the stunning OT 1000 version of the Spider. This particular one went through Bonhams 2025 Scottsdale sale

To my eye, one of the prettiest body's to adorn the 850 chassis was the Moretti Sportiva designed by Dany Brawand, who had previously worked for Giovanni Michelotti before being hired by Moretti.

Below, a 1971 Francis Lombardi Grand Prix, which was also marketed under various names including the OTAS 820 Grand Prix and the Abarth Grand Prix. This one was badged an OTAS.

Then there's the rare among the rare, a 1970 Fiat 850 Sport Racer Berlinetta.

As well as their Spider, Vignale turned their attention towards 2 dr coupe, with their "Vignale - Fiat 850" Clearly Vignale went all out in providing its nomenclature.

Another rare variant, with just 80 produced, is Michelotti's "Spiagetta's". This one from the Elkhart collection and formerly owned by the Augusta family.

In 1964, Zagato revealed their 850 based Z Coupe, only 2 were made.

The Giannini 850 TV Coupé by Viotti was a limited-production sports coupé based on the Fiat 850 platform and produced in 1963. The vehicle was developed through a collaboration between Giannini Automobili of Rome and Carrozzeria Viotti of Turin.

The OSI Coupe, another from the pencil of Michelotti and another one off. A little awkward in design?

1962 Cisitalia Abarth 850 Scorpione Coupe was an Argentinian-built version of the Fiat Abarth 850 Allemano.

The Italian made Allemano differed little. Beautiful to behold.

SO, the charming, sporty, practical and very versatile Fiat Tipo 100G, the 850.

If I may indulge in fantasy for a moment, I'll have an Abarth OT 2000 Coupe....in white.

N.B. This is not all the vehicles based on the 850, especially Commercial vehicles and one off concepts.