Do I need an 850??

General chat about the car goes in here.
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majicwrench

Do I need an 850??

Post by majicwrench »

Do I?? Already got a runner 72 124 Spider and a couple of parts cars, could make another runner with a bit of work. Fellow just showed me an 850 he's got at his shop, looks like it is all there, but a lot of it is loose. No idea if it runs.$150.00. Hmmmm. Help. Stop me, please.
Keith
dmwhiteoak
Posts: 1088
Joined: Mon Aug 15, 2011 1:12 pm
Your car is a: 1972 Fiat 124 spider
Location: White Oak Tx

Re: Do I need an 850??

Post by dmwhiteoak »

If you have the room , go for it. What do you have to loose? 150 bucks?
Dennis Modisette

1972 124 Spider
2003 Chevrolet Z71
2007 GMC Yucon
kd1wo

Re: Do I need an 850??

Post by kd1wo »

If you don't want it, I do !!!!!
I'll be next in line! :D
Kent124

Re: Do I need an 850??

Post by Kent124 »

If it is a rust bucket you can always use it for the next 850 you get.
User avatar
thechadzone
Posts: 220
Joined: Sun Feb 03, 2008 3:31 pm
Your car is a: 1969 Fiat 124AS Spider
Location: Eugene, Oregon

Re: Do I need an 850??

Post by thechadzone »

You need one.

I've had two (one 903cc Sport Coupe & one 903cc Spider), and I also own two 124s (again, a Cuope & Spider). The two models are far too different to be considered redundant. the handling dynamics of the 850 Spider are amazing. I had all new suspension components on mine with only so-so tires, and it could take freeway off-ramps at speeds that took all the courage I had to demand of it.

Its combination of independent rear swing arms and front transverse leaf spring give it a pretty unique feel. The 903cc motor in stock form has an agricultural sound that's laughable as it revs past 6 grand without thinking twice about it. My '69 850 Sport Coupe lived in a car park downtown, and the multi-level car park became its race track late at night. Its factory header and 30mm dual barrel Weber carb were just damn cute together. It sounded like a log splitter on crack inside the car park, and drifted in predictible and exciting ways. I sold my '68 850 Spider to my brother, so I still get to see it and drive it often.

Here's a link to the 850 Spider on its way to the Mirafiori Campout 2010. Noted in the video are how it feels to pass a semi truck & trailer on the Interstate, and how the engine does at such speeds.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlTf9BPT ... =endscreen



There are plenty of performance parts, options, and techniques for the 850 motor. A YouTube search for "John Edwards Fiat 850" will show you this guy's amazingly powerful 850 Sedan that blows away 2002s and even some 240Zs around the short track.

The Spiders were the subject of the biggest car recall in US history due to their rust issues. Look at the large X shaped support piece that spans the underside of the car's bellypan. this is prone to rust, and so are the areas where this piece connects by the rear swing arms. Rust and ignorance killed most of them, as did the recall...

For a hundred fifty bucks you can't go wrong. The 903cc cars are plenty fine for the freeway, and the grins per mile at least equal those of the 124. Buy it, and post often in the 850 section!
majicwrench

Re: Do I need an 850??

Post by majicwrench »

You guys aren't helping dang it, just what I need another project. I'll call the guy on Monday, he said he would deliver it.....
Here come more questions too. SHeesh
Keith
narfire
Posts: 3959
Joined: Sat Dec 27, 2008 2:14 am
Your car is a: 1980 124 spider
Location: Naramata B.C.

Re: Do I need an 850??

Post by narfire »

We'll be looking at your posts in the 850 section next week eh :lol:
80 FI spider
72 work in progress
2017 Golf R ( APR Stg. 1)
2018 F350 crew long box
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