Fiat's use of 'Special'

[davidbuckden]

I research and write about the cars and motorsport of the 50s-70s - results posted on Do Look Back . Currently I'm working on a survey of the Moretti Sportiva models. Some of these have the additional designation 'Special.' I've looked extensively, but have been unable to identify any relevant specification upgrade packages or find any reference to how/why Fiat appended 'Special' to any model name, whether or not Moretti. I'm hoping someone here with deep knowledge about Fiat and the models of the Sportiva era - '66-'71 - will be able to provide me, please, with an answer.

Thanks in anticipation.

David

 

[rmjbn1]

Hi and welcome
Interesting site and just my kind of thing, thanks for the link!
I thought FIAT applied 'Special' to the more powerful version of a model in that period.
Like the 850 became the 850 Special when it gained the uprated engine from the Coupe.
I don't claim any expert knowledge, though. Hopefully one of those will be along soon

 

[davidbuckden]

Hi and welcome
Interesting site and just my kind of thing, thanks for the link!
I thought FIAT applied 'Special' to the more powerful version of a model in that period.
Like the 850 became the 850 Special when it gained the uprated engine from the Coupe.
I don't claim any expert knowledge, though. Hopefully one of those will be along soon

Thanks - much appreciated. I have thought the same previously, but it's been difficult to pin down analysing the specs available. I suspect the term was used somewhat gratuitously and inconsistently, whereas at Alfa Romeo when we appended 'Veloce' to any model name, it was because there was a significant uplift in engine power output. Regards, David

 

[the green vanper]

somewhat gratuitously and inconsistently

We're talking about Italians we should have a moving gif rather than simply an emoticon here