Fiat Moretti Sportiva Is a Little Known yet Incredibly Charming Compact Sports Car

Produced by Moretti Motor Company, a historic and now defunct Italian coachbuilder that churned out an impressive number of masterfully finished models based on Alfa Romeo, Maserati, and Fiat cars, the Moretti Sportiva is a sleek sports car with sinuous lines and a compact form factor that exudes elegance and style.

It was introduced at the Turin Motor Show in 1965 and entered production in 1967. It was based on the mechanicals of the recently launched Fiat 850, a small and affordable rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive car built by Fiat. Responsible for its attractive exterior design was Dany Brawand, a Swiss stylist who had previously worked for Giovanni Michelotti at Ghia and later became the head of the Moretti Styling Center in Turin, Italy, creating many other memorable cars apart from the Sportiva, such as the Moretti 124 Coupé, the Midimaxi, and the Panda Rock.

The Fiat 850's original underpinnings were retained, so the Sportiva came with a rear-mounted 850cc engine capable of delivering 47 hp (48 ps) at 6,000 rpm, and the undercarriage was basically identical to that of the affordable two-door compact car, which was an evolution of the earlier Fiat 600 from the 1950s. The power was sent back to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual transmission, and the car also had independent front and rear suspension and four wheel drum brakes.

The bodywork design, however, was completely restyled and refined, showcasing Moretti's stroke of genius. Some similarities can be pointed out between this car and the Pininfarina-designed Fiat Dino Spider, like the slender, aerodynamic profile and the distinctive nose, but it is believed that Brawand penned the Sportiva design a few months earlier.

The original Sportiva model was offered exclusively as a two-seat coupe as the spare wheel was placed horizontally in the nose, so the rear seats had to be sacrificed for luggage space between the front seats and the engine compartment. To give you an idea of how compact this car is, it's worth mentioning that it has an 80-inch (203.2-cm) wheelbase and a curb weight of just 1,500 pounds (680 kg).

Later on, Moretti added a two-seat convertible and a four-seat Sportiva, with the later models powered by a 982cc engine producing 61 hp. The initial two-seat coupe was the Moretti Sportiva S2, the model that is now considered a true collector's item due to its rarity.

Between 1967 and 1971, Moretti built the Sportiva to the specifications and wishes of customers, but the standard 850cc four-cylinder engine was always available. Designed with a focus on style, the Sportiva was never intended to be the fastest car of its time, but many owners upgraded their cars at some point to enhance their performance, usually with larger Fiat or Abarth engines.

Although some sources claim that around 300 examples of the charming Sportiva were built, Giovanni Moretti is said to have stated that only 40 units were actually made - a considerably lower number. Less than half are believed to have survived to this day, which makes them highly coveted among discerning collectors.

The Fiat Moretti Sportiva example you see here is an S2 unit from 1968 that has recently benefited from a complete restoration meant to bring it back to its original condition. It boasts a gorgeous silver exterior over a brown interior, with the original bodywork sandblasted and repainted to a very high standard as part of the restoration. It also retains all the essential Moretti instruments and the shiny chrome trim, which has been recently redone, including the bumpers and Borrani spoke wheels shod in new Michelin AXS tires.

This fine unit is fitted with its matching numbers 843 cc inline four-cylinder engine, which has been overhauled and is in perfect working order, but also comes with another newly rebuilt engine with a displacement of 1000 cc and lightweight aluminum pistons. The car also boasts a completely rebuilt braking system and a restored transmission.

The vehicle features a beautiful leather interior that was redone following the original specs by Moretti, and it's in excellent condition. The highlight inside the cabin is the steering wheel, which is a NARDI original piece from the era, something that is very rare to find. The wood paneling is also complete and in good condition.

If you've been dreaming of owning a rare sports car with Italian style and character, the Fiat 850 Moretti Sportiva S2 in question here is currently being offered for sale out of Calabria, Italy, and is set to go under the hammer on April 3. It has 70,877 km (44,040 miles) on the odometer, which is not much for an over 50-year-old car.