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SEAT 850 Sport Coupé 1970: Unit recently restored by SEAT in Break-in

By the mid-600s Spanish society was growing so fast that even the popular and successful 850 lagged behind. For this reason, SEAT launched the 850 under a FIAT license with the idea of ​​continuing to offer a B-segment vehicle with good prices but greater habitability. In addition, the emergence of new market niches with young professionals as applicants led to the design of sports variants. SEAT in Shooting has just restored one of them. It's about this beautiful 1970 Sport Coupé from XNUMX.

With almost 800.000 units sold and sixteen years in production, the SEAT 600 is the undisputed icon when it comes to family motorization in Spain. A car designed by Dante Giacosa for the new middle classes. Which advanced firmly within the framework of developmentalism and access to the consumer society. A context where growth was as fast as the rural exodus that fed the cities, giving the feeling that times were running faster than ever. In fact, even the most modern soon fell into the past.

Just what happened to the 600. Which nine years after its launch in 1957 was complemented by the SEAT 850. A utility also manufactured under a FIAT license, combining its accessible price with a habitability greater than that of its predecessor. Model with which he lived for almost all his commercial life, finished in 1974 just a few months after the 600's. One more proof of the speed of that time. Overlapping old and new in a kind of career that should end with the popularization of segment C cars with the 124 to the head.

Situation in which the SEAT 850 represents the leap of more than a few families to larger vehicles than the original 600. Something that is complemented by the sports versions of the model. Which tell us about a country where market niches for the leisure vehicle or simply more performance make their appearance. Undoubted proof of economic development. At least as far as wealthy young professionals are concerned. Precisely the type of buyer that the 850 SEAT 1970 Sport Coupé was aimed at.

seat 850 sports

SEAT 850 SPORT. A NEW MARKET NICHE

Normally, a multitude of sports trainers have used popular models as the basis for their creations. In this sense, possibly the most successful case is that of Carlo Abarth with his interventions on the FIAT 500 and 600. Both Italian vehicles with simple finishes that, however, gave way to models with a greater gradient of variants. One of them was the 850. A model that adjusted by offering four-door bodies and more space in the rear seats to the demands of a more solvent and diversified market.

SEAT 850 Sport from 1967. First variant

This situation also occurred in Spain after the Stabilization Plans. With its borders open to foreign investment to create the dizzying growth of the service sector in the urban area. A perfect breeding ground for new market niches in which SEAT wanted to intervene with the sports variants of the 850. And it is that this same business growth encouraged the appearance of wealthy young people eager for a performance vehicle with more leisure vocation single than with family.

seat 850 sports

Thus, in Spain an intermediate commercial demand appeared between the powerful luxury models and the popular 600. In addition, it required a sporty touch since it longed for a recreational vehicle adjusted for the stage prior to a hypothetical paternity. for all this SEAT decided to manufacture the sports variant of the FIAT 850, which would be called the 850 Sport from its presentation in 1967. Just a few months after the release of the base model, which had a totally different bodywork even having the same layout "All behind". Good basis for a sports car with the engine, gearbox and rear axle drive.

ONE OF THE LAST TO ARRIVE AT CLASSIC SEATS IN FILMING

Although the 850 Sport's engine is based on the same 843cc inline-four as the rest of the range, its higher compression ratio and improved camshaft bring power up to 47hp. About ten more than those provided by the saloon. And that, although they may seem few, are enough to deliver strong sensations at the wheel of a rear-wheel drive vehicle and only about 700 kilos of weight. Nevertheless, in 1970 SEAT presented a new improved version which was baptized as 850 Sport Coupé.

seat 850 sports

Here the power rose to 52CV. They are fed by a double body Weber 30 carburettor that ensures a characteristic smell of gasoline in the cabin. Which wraps itself with bodywork almost the same as its predecessor, with the exception of the double headlights that both front and rear give the 850 Sport Coupé a sportier touch. A 2+2 -its rear seats are testimonial or simply for cargo or children- which has been one of the latest additions to the collection SEAT on the road.

One of the references in terms of preserving the history of the brand, which has just carried out the mechanical restoration of this delicious unit finished in Verde Lago 316. A color that blends perfectly with the interior upholstered in white scay . Undoubtedly a combination of soft pastel tones with clear evocations of the Mediterranean summer. Perfect time to enjoy this 850 Sport Coupé since, far from being designed to get the rage out of a rally car or hill racing, this sports car has leisure driving as a more than pleasant goal.

Photographs: SEAT Filming Collection /SEAT

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Written by Miguel Sánchez

Through the news from La Escudería, we will travel the winding roads of Maranello listening to the roar of the Italian V12; We will travel Route66 in search of the power of the great American engines; we will get lost in the narrow English lanes tracking the elegance of their sports cars; We will speed up the braking in the curves of the Monte Carlo Rally and we will even get dusty in a garage while rescuing lost jewels.

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