At the end of the '60s, SEAT was on a roll. On July 1969 a SEAT 124 made the 1 millionth unit built at the Barcelona factory since 1953, and that same month was also unveiled the 850 Sport, the first and only production convertible ever built by SEAT… (read more)
Launch: July 1969
End of production: Spring 1972
Price: 138.000 Ptas.
Number built: 1.746
Petrol, 4 cylinders in-line
Position: At rear, longitudinal
Bore x stroke: 65 mm x 68 mm
Capacity: 903 cc
Valvetrain: Overhead valves, push-rods and rocker arms
Carburettor: 1 single double choke Weber 30
Max. power: 52 HP at 6.500 rpm
Max. torque: 65 Nm at 4.000 rpm
Top Speed: 150 km/h
Drive: Rear-wheel drive
Gearbox: 4-speed manual, plus reverse
Clutch: Dry single-plate
Front suspension:
Independent, transverse leaf spring, dampers and anti-roll bar
Rear suspension:
Independent, swing axles, coil springs, dampers and anti-roll bar
Steering: Worm and sector
Front/rear: Discs/drums
5.50-13
Body: 2-seater convertible
Length/width/height: 3.824/1.498/1.220 mm
Wheelbase: 2.027 mm
Weight: 730 kg
At the end of the '60s, SEAT was on a roll. On July 1969 a SEAT 124 made the 1 millionth unit built at the Barcelona factory since 1953, and that same month the 850 Sport was also unveiled, the first and only production convertible ever built by SEAT.
These two apparently unrelated landmarks -1 million of SEAT cars and the launch of the 850 Sport- illustrated the big evolution experienced by SEAT and, therefore, by the domestic market. At the beginning, SEAT's priority had been to satisfy the urgent mobility needs of Spaniards. However, by the time the one millionth SEAT car was built the domestic market and SEAT itself were mature enough for the brand to offer a genuine niche car, with no other raison-d'être than the pure driving pleasure.
The SEAT 850 Sport was based on the 850 saloon, which had been released three years before. Although its official name was 850 Sport, it's also known as 850 Sport Spider, or simply Spider, to differentiate it from the coupe version.
The Sport was a gorgeous two-seater convertible car designed by the renowned Italian coachbuilder Bertone, optionally available as a hard-top. This version went on to complete the 850 range, together with the 2 and 4-door saloons and the coupe. Beside the versatility of the saloons and the sporting allure of the coupe, the Sport was a niche, fashion car, blessed with great road-holding. So the 850 was the first SEAT available in a full range of different bodies and engines.
In addition, the engine of the spider was a milestone in the SEAT production, a 903 cc, 52 HP engine which was later used by the 850 Sport Coupe version. Conveniently developed, this engine would go on to power a myriad of future SEAT cars, including an entry version of the new Ibiza in the mid-80's.
Only 1.746 examples of the SEAT 850 Sport Spider were built until the spring of 1972. It had no successor... until almost thirty years later. In 2001, SEAT unveiled the sensational Tango concept car, taking up again the two-seater spider layout of the SEAT 850 Sport. The Tango was based on the Ibiza, just like the 850 Sport did from the 850 saloon. However, the Tango did not go into production, so the 850 Sport Spider still is the only production convertible ever built by SEAT.
SEAT HISTÓRICOS keeps a light blue 850 Sport Spider in the Collection. This two-seater is regularly used in events and regularity rallies for classic cars, even abroad (Germany, for instance). The Spider's gorgeous design catches the eye wherever it goes.
