Rear-engine Fiat variants among themselves
08/09/2016
From July 29 to 31, 2016, the 45th summer meeting of the Fiat 850 IG took place in Rudolfshaus near Kirn on the Nahe in Rhineland-Palatinate.
Friends of the Fiat 850 meet up at least once a year, but it's not primarily to show each other their cars. After all, they know each other and the cars. Above all, it's about the wonderful community. Of course, talking shop is also part of it. But the increase in value of the beautifully maintained vehicles, for example, is less of a topic than in other associations.
After a leisurely arrival on Friday, the participants met for breakfast on Saturday and then set off on a long drive in two stages through the Rhineland-Palatinate Hunsrück. The first stage to Hermeskeil to the aircraft exhibition was 48.7 kilometers long. After the lunch break, the caravan took a slightly longer route of 54.2 km back to the Hotel Forellenhof in Rudolfshaus near Kirn.
Sunday was then spent again with a cozy get-together.
The Fiat 850 small car with its rear engine was not a completely new development at the time, but was an improved version of the old Fiat 600 with a longer body at the front and rear and a notchback instead of a hatchback. It was also known as a rear-wheeler because the rear end of the Special model in particular liked to break away when cornering at speed. Fiat built the 850 model from summer 1964 to mid-1973.
The vehicles of the Fiat 850 IG were technically and visually in good shape. Typical of their design, the engines hummed quietly with the characteristic Fiat four-cylinder noise that was a pleasure to listen to.
Surprisingly, the exhaust fumes could hardly be smelled, which was certainly due to the fact that the engines had been perfectly tuned before the annual meeting. After all, we didn't want to embarrass ourselves in front of our colleagues, so we planned a visit to the workshop before the meeting.
Rudolfshaus was also home to extremely rare examples of the Fiat 850, such as a red Vignale Spider, a yellow Siata and a beautiful Lombardi Grand Prix. In addition, there were of course several 850 Sport Coupé and Spider, as well as three 850 Special and a rare Seat 133 Abarth to marvel at. All in all, the entire range of the model series with various engines and in many Fiat colors was on site. One of the exotic cars in the parking lot was a Fiat 600 Abarth. And shortly before the departure, two red Fiat 124 Spiders unexpectedly joined the tour. This meant that more than 25 vehicles were assembled when the trip started.
The "FIAT 850 e.V." association is for all drivers and enthusiasts of the FIAT 850 brand and anyone interested in the FIAT 850 series of vehicles can become a member. All body variants come together here, whether saloon, coupé, spider, minibus, Siata Spring or racer. All are welcome, especially special models from manufacturers such as Vignale, Moretti and Lombardi, both with standard engines and with Abarth modifications. Whether you are a passionate collector, restorer with a passion, beginner or everyday driver - they are all represented in the FIAT 850 community.
