Beloved Fiat 850T Fiesta camper van conversion known to us as "Cosmo" for sale. First registered 06/ 08/ 1973 and bought by me in November 2019, with 3 former keepers.
I bought the car from a pair of private sellers who had the vehicle in storage with motoring journalist Martin Buckley. He had just written an article on the camper that featured in the December 2019 issue of Auto Italia. One of the owners of the vehicle had hoped to take it to the USA, but it was proving too complicated and so decided to sell.
The camper hadn't been run for several years, with the supplied MOT certificates showing only around 100 miles added in 20 years (I was told that the only miles added were taking it for an MOT each year). When I bought it, it had around 9, 220 miles on the clock and it has now clocked up approximately 10, 800.
Due to the fact that it hadn't run for many years, I had the camper recommissioned by IK Classics in Holmfirth, a company I have used for many years to look after my previous X1/ 9. They overhauled the electrics, hoses etc, waxoyled the underneath and serviced it. The van was in generally excellent condition except under the pop up roof, where damp had clearly been trapped leading to corrosion in the roof. The pop up roof was removed and the metal roof repaired and resprayed. I also had the fuel tank and carburettor cleaned to ensure there were no fuel issues after having been left unused for so long. Since then, the van has run beautifully and we've had many happy camping trips in it. I've registered it as a historic vehicle and so it doesn't need to be MOTed, however, I've continued to have MOTs carried out, with the current one expiring 06/ 05/ 2024. Sadly, we are now moving to a house with no garage and so need to sell.
Since recommissioning, I've had the van serviced each year by IK classics with no significant work required other than refurbishing the fuel pump.
The camper van conversion is the "Fiesta", carried out by Motor Caravan Conversions of Hertfordshire. It has a front bench seat with another bench seat directly behind. Opposite that is another bench seat for two with a gap between where a table (included) can be placed. This Fiesta conversion is different to others I've seen, as you can use the whole length of the van - the two-burner hob / grill is against one side and the sink unit on the other (other conversions I have seen have the hob and sink running right across the van so you can't use the whole length). The seats, including the front seats all fold down flat to make a double bed. There is also a hammock to make a third bed.
The camper comes with loads of original equipment including the original Isabella awning which we've used quite a lot, a toilet tent (which needs repairs to some of the rubber loops at the base), two camp beds and a roof rack.
In terms of condition of the camper, it is generally very good, especially for an 850T. The previous owner had the front doors resprayed and there is a little rust bubbling up again at the bottom of these. There is also a small amount of bubbling at the bottom of the large side door. The underside is very solid, I've not had to do any welding at all underneath, and as mentioned above, it's now all waxoyled.
Comes with original manual and marketing literature.
