Miguel Sánchez
At first glance, one could think of FIAT as a large company incompatible with small, quasi-artisanal workshops. In fact, during the seventies it finally absorbed Abarth. What's more, already in 1952 the emporium directed by Vittorio Valleta took control of an auxiliary company as emblematic as Weber. Responsible for the best carburettors of the time. Nevertheless, The truth is that FIAT knew how to supply and collaborate with not a few bodybuilders, preparers and independent professionals. What's more, especially during the forties, fifties and sixties, the Turin manufacturer acted as a benefactor for almost the entire Italian automobile industry.
Urged on by the Italian state, FIAT even brought Lancia and Ferrari under its umbrella before they could fall under foreign control. Something repeated in the mid-eighties with Alfa Romeo. Thus, although most of his production has been based on sober and familiar models, no one can doubt the incredible entrepreneurial role played by this manufacturer in Italy. In fact, the Moretti story is a good example of this. And it is that, if it were not for the relationship established with FIAT, how could a small bodybuilder like this have grown?
Founded in 1925 very close to the future FIAT facilities in Mirafiori, Moretti began its activities offering motorcycles and other small vehicles. In fact, thanks to this he was one of the first to master the stamped sheet technique. Something to which he took not little advantage after the Second World War. Besides, based on the popular Millecento created some really interesting sports units. Endowed with designs where, in small format, the lines of the elegant creations of Pininfarina for Lancia were emulated.
Likewise, with the arrival of the 500, 600 and 850 Moretti found new commercial possibilities based on producing their own variants in small series. And yes, thanks to the supply of chassis and engines by FIAT, he managed to do it. Thanks to that, during the sixties its range managed to expand greatly with a wide range of stylish models on popular bases. Likewise, collaborating since the beginning of the decade with Giovanni Michelotti's studio had very positive effects, achieving lines where the appearance of the great GTs of the moment was brought to a popular base.
Furthermore, by mentioning this we are indicating the business model exercised by Moretti. And it is that, before the massive standardization of the seventies, there was still room for small bodybuilders and independent preparers. Not in vain, there was still a small but select public capable of paying a lot of extra money in order to have something scarce, unknown and above all, very personal. In addition, thanks to this, the massive FIAT could delegate to auxiliary industries such as Moretti the production of small series with which to give more color and elegance to its range.
In this sense, it is impossible not to think of the 125S Coupé 5 Posti or the 128 Targa. However, possibly the most iconic creation is the 1967 Sportiva. A kind of Dino 206 GT -in fact it appeared during the same year- based on a simple and popular FIAT 850. Without a doubt, a really lovely exercise in style where, in addition, the enormous range of options allowed customizing each unit to really striking limits. Of course, only for customers more interested in differentiation than in benefits. Not surprisingly, unlike Abarth, the Moretti workshops barely entered into complex mechanical modifications.
MORETTI SPORTIVA SS, A DINO IN MINIATURE
Since it appeared in 1964, the FIAT 850 aroused great sympathy among Italian bodybuilders dedicated to customization. In fact, this was not only seen in the sports versions, it also had an evident echo in practical variants such as the four-door created by Lombardi. By the way, manufactured in Spain under license by the Barcelonan MARSA. However, beyond the multitude of essays and unique pieces, the truth is that Moretti managed to hit the nail on the head with versions that were not only well-proportioned, but also suitable for marketing in small series.
Thus, a few months after the 850 appeared, this Turin preparer was already presenting its own reinterpretations in the form of the Coupé and Spider. Of course, totally devoid of mechanical modifications. At this point, In 1965 FIAT launched its own coupé version -designed by itself- together with the Spider option commissioned to Bertone. Two very important models in the history of the popular Italian model because, beyond appearance, they finally had mechanical improvements to bring them closer to almost 50CV. Some 15CV more than those provided by the most common versions.
With all this, in Moretti they thought to use those novelties as a base for their own sports car. Thanks to this, in 1967 the Sportiva finally appeared. Based -blamely- on the lines of the 1965 Ferrari Dino Berlinetta Speciale prototype. The magnificent and revolutionary essay signed by Aldo Brovarone at Pininfarina, step prior to the market launch of the Maranello sub-brand in which their V6 engines would be included
Also, since those master lines were reused by Pininfarina in the 1966 FIAT Dino Spider, the appearance of the Sportiva was also reminiscent of this production model.
However, that did not matter because the Moretti was a true visual delight. Moreover, since the design executed by Bertone for the FIAT Dino Coupé was not particularly striking, many thought of how fantastic it would have been to see something similar to the Sportiva with a V6 engine in the rear position as a partner of the Spider signed by Pininfarina. Something that, on the other hand, really would have been a kind of Dino 206 run by FIAT instead of Ferrari.
In any case, musings aside, the truth is that the Moretti Sportiva was a step forward in the history of the coachbuilder because, in addition to aesthetics, it offered significant mechanical improvements. Of course, at least one of them came from the hand of the trainer Giannini, thanks to which he presented himself an engine tuned up to 70CV without touching the original displacement of the 850. In addition, for the 1000SC version there was a mechanic with 982 cubic centimeters and 62CV. In short, the Sportiva not only gave a plus of differentiation in terms of style, it could also be purchased with an extra claw to enjoy an already classic mix. Low weight, rear engine and rear propulsion. Beauty and fun were guaranteed.
Photographs: Machler Automobile / Moretti / Pininfarina
