Fiat 850 Sportiva Coupé S2 Moretti

Vehicle Overview

The Fiat 850 Sportiva Coupé S2 Moretti is a limited-production Italian sports coupé manufactured by Moretti Motor Company between 1967 and 1971. Based on the Fiat 850 platform, the Sportiva S2 exemplifies Moretti’s approach to creating bespoke vehicles that combined Italian design flair with enhanced performance and exclusivity. Introduced in 1967, the Sportiva S2 was the two-seat version of the Sportiva line, which also included a 2+2 configuration known as the S4. The S2 featured a sleek, aerodynamic body designed by Dany Brawand, who had previously worked with Giovanni Michelotti before joining Moretti as chief stylist. The design incorporated elements reminiscent of contemporary Italian sports cars, such as a low-slung profile, curved fenders, and a fastback rear, giving the compact coupé a distinctive and sporty appearance. To accommodate the aerodynamic profile, the spare wheel was mounted horizontally in the front luggage compartment, occupying the entire space. Consequently, a secondary luggage area was created between the seats and the rear-mounted engine, utilizing a taut fabric cover to secure belongings. The absence of rear seats in the S2 model was met with some criticism, leading to the introduction of the S4 variant the following year, which offered additional seating capacity. The Sportiva S2 was powered by a rear-mounted, water-cooled inline-four engine derived from the Fiat 850. Initially, the engine had a displacement of 843 cc, producing approximately 47 horsepower. Later models offered an enlarged 982 cc engine, delivering increased performance. The vehicle featured a 4-speed manual transmission and rear-wheel drive layout. With a wheelbase of 2,030 mm (80 inches) and a height of 1,040 mm (41 inches), the Sportiva S2 had a compact and agile stance, weighing approximately 680 kg (1,500 lbs). Moretti offered extensive customization options for the Sportiva S2, allowing customers to personalize their vehicles with features such as metallic paint finishes, Borrani wire wheels, electric windows, and premium interior materials. This level of personalization was uncommon for vehicles in this segment and era, reflecting Moretti’s commitment to craftsmanship and customer satisfaction. Approximately 300 units of the Sportiva series were produced, with the S2 variant accounting for around 52 examples. The base price in 1967 was 1,095,000 Italian lire, which could increase significantly depending on the chosen customizations, approaching nearly two million lire. In comparison, the more modern Fiat 124 had a list price of 1,035,000 lire in the same year.