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The Revs Institute Is Building a Fiat 850 Like No Other
The options for new sports cars have begun to narrow, but in an interesting twist a new sporty car is being developed, and it’s not from any of the names you are likely thinking of. Instead, work is under way at the Revs Institute in Naples, Florida.
The announcement was included in a video posted to the Revs Institute YouTube channel, but the project has also been quietly running in the background, with a few episodes of progress already posted under the series name “Razzofab.” That name breaks into two parts: “Razzo” which is Italian for rocket, and “fab,” which is short for fabrication. The goal is to use a team of craftsmen to completely rebuild and re-engineer a 1960s Fiat 850 to modern OEM quality and power and have it done in the next year. Fitting modern suspension, interior, tech, and power beneath a vintage body small as a Fiat 850 is no small feat.
The team is led by Dave Klym, a man with decades of experience building race cars. The rest of the team is introduced in part one of the series and discusses the main problems of the project, mostly centered around fitting the 10 pounds of stuff needed to support modern suspension and powertrain design into the lithe five-pound bag that is the Fiat 850. The team does not want to change the Bertone-penned lines of the car, either, making this a real challenge.
The engine choice is also an interesting one, as the Fiat’s original 903-cc lump putting out 52 horsepower was enough back in the day, but only just. A significant jump in horsepower is needed for modern traffic, and that comes by way of a Vermont SportsCar-built Subaru engine. This kind of power increase necessitates a big increase in chassis stiffness, and that is where the team started; by building the backbone of the chassis. The team is also working to tuck a front differential to make the whole thing all-wheel drive, and we are curious to see how that will get pulled off. Needless to say, we will be staying tuned to the progress and updates as they get posted to the Revs Institute YouTube channel.
I would use the V4 Ducati XDiavel engine 1.1 L 168 hp @ 10,750 rpm and its 6 spd Quick Shift instead of the Subi. RWD- mid-engine only. Don’t add too much weight and complexity. Make it into a pure, pint-sized Italian exotic.
I’m inclined to agree. Seems like too much engine. That team has forgotten more than I’ve ever learned though, so I’ll just keep watching and see how it turns out.
This is an interesting project but yeah I am inclined to rather see it with something other than Subaru power. I imagine the space isn’t too big for many motors to fit.
What does TONY have to say? Is he going to fix it again?
Awesome project that will be fun to watch. I have owned and restored several of these fun little cars over the last 40 years. Once sorted, they are very dependable. I still have a super clean 73 that I completed a few years ago and enjoy driving whenever I can. They are small, light and a blast to drive. It will be interesting to see how they are able to fit the new engine, drive train and suspension into the FIAT chassis. I have a fairly solid 72 parts car with a factory removable steel top that might make a fun engine swap project for me depending on how this one goes. Good luck with the project – I will be following.
Did you have to do anything special to address the “frame” rusting issues? I have a 1970 850 Racer (fixed hard top version) that has been apart since about 1975. Procrastination at its finest. :>) Vern
Once the rusted areas are repaired or replaced I spray fluid film into every cavity and channel. I will drill a small hole for the applicator if needed. I repeat every couple years. I do my daily drivers every fall. We live in the rust belt. Seems to work
Usually the challenging part of restoring an 850 Spider is body rot. Engines are seldom a problem. I would fit an Italian engine, strengthen the chassis, upgrade the front suspension with Abarth style coil-overs, and leave the body and interior stock. Light, reasonably quick, and agile. Still, it will be an interesting project to follow.
I am amused at the article’s comment about modern traffic being faster than 60’s and 70’s traffic and the cars then…. I was 20 in the 60’s and the cars then were built for the freeways and even speeding… the big luxury cars ruled the interstates… doing what they were built for.
Agreed. If I decide to anything with my 72, that would be the route I would follow. Still very interesting to watch their approach to this. Insane amount of hand fabrication showcasing their skills.
The pre-crash bumper 850 Spyder was/is one of the prettiest and best-handling small cars ever built…but as others have noted, after 50+ years Fiat’s poor-quality original sheet metal has become vulnerable to the dreaded tin worm. Replace/re-fab what’s necessary chassis-wise but keep this well-balanced little beast mid-engined. There are any number of compact and powerful engines that will fit. Using a Racer hardtop model will greatly add to rigidity.
I was at REVS this past weekend – what a great museum!