Pirin-Fiat 850: the history of the Bulgarian Fiat

Fiat 850 is one of the most typical and most popular Italian cars, produced in the period 1964 - 1973. It is an evolutionarily improved and completely renewed design successor to the undisputed world hit Fiat 600. The Fiat 850 engine is an improved version of the 600, with the working volume increased to 843 cc. The model is available in two versions - Normale with a power of 34 hp and Speciale with 47 hp. The maximum speed of the basic version reaches an acceptable 128 km/h, and in the special version it is 8 km/h higher clapeta control admisie aer bosch pret.

Pirin-Fiat 850: the history of the Bulgarian Fiat

In purely technical terms, the car is not distinguished by any special innovations compared to its predecessor, which debuted ten years earlier. However, the popularity of the Fiat 850 is largely due to its nice appearance with large round headlights and small round rear lights, which were first introduced into the Fiat range precisely through it, as well as, of course, the relatively good reliability and comfort for such a type of car. As a result of some ingenious and unconventional engineering solutions, the passenger compartment of the compact subcompact car easily accommodates four passengers and provides everything necessary for a comfortable trip over longer distances. The modest set of instruments on the dashboard is arranged harmoniously and visually accessible. The entire interior is upholstered in artificial leather. Fiat 850 owners agree that, despite its elementary device, the car's heating and ventilation system work perfectly and are easily serviced.

In its post-war history, and especially since the 1960s, almost all Fiat models have been produced under license abroad. The 850 is no exception, which also has some successful interpretations abroad, including in our country. The Italians have been attacking the Bulgarian market with advantageous offers since the beginning of the 1960s and not long after their persistence was crowned with success. On March 3, 1967, a contract was signed with Fiat in Turin for the assembly of passenger cars Fiat 850 berlina, Fiat 850 coupe, Fiat 124 berlina and Fiat 124 station wagon.

The first 18 Fiat 850 cars arrived at the Balkan Automobile Plant on May 10, 1967. Soon after the start of assembly, a decision was made to give the Italian cars assembled in Lovech the trade name "Pirin", which is found everywhere in the factory documents and advertising materials, but the company inscriptions on the body remained unchanged.

The first Fiat 850 was assembled at the Balkan Aircraft Factory on June 27, 1967, and on April 2, 1968, assembly began according to standard 2A (with a higher degree of disassembly and more complex operations, such as welding and painting).

The five-year contract with Fiat was not renewed, and the last assembled car to leave the assembly line of the Lovech plant in September 1971 was the Fiat 850.

A certain consolation for lovers of automotive history in our country remains the preserved and restored authentic representatives of the Pirin-Fiat brand. Among them is the car presented in the photos.

Car parts AutoPower
Car parts AutoPower

In purely technical terms, the car is not distinguished by any special innovations compared to its predecessor, which debuted ten years earlier

In its post-war history, and especially since the 1960s, almost all Fiat models have been produced under license abroad