SEAT’s 850 Especial 4 Puertas Lujo was the driving force behind the European boost of the SEAT brand. It was launched at the prestigious Paris Motor Show in 1971 and exported to selected European countries. It was the top of the 850 range, and even rivalled the SEAT 124, a car from a higher-end segment.

The four-door 850 was a joint venture between SEAT and coachbuilder Carrocerías Costa, that in 1964 had already teamed up to produce the SEAT 800, the 600’s four-door derivative. When SEAT’s 850 was unveiled in 1966, both companies thought about repeating the process with the new model as well.

Thus, in 1967 the four-door SEAT 850 replaced the 800. Like this one, the new model was distinguished by a longer wheelbase (15 cm more, in this case), something that considerably increased the interior space. In addition, the third volume (where the engine was located) was even more pronounced than in the 2-door 850, which enhanced the 4-door’s presence and gave it the looks of a real saloon.

However, the industrial ambition of the 4-door 850 was much greater than that of the 800. SEAT built 18,200 units of the 800 in three years, all of them sold only in Spain, whereas the production of the 4-door 850 exceeded 124,000 units in seven years, and the car was exported to selected European countries.

Actually, SEAT forged its dimension as a European brand at the 1971 Paris Motor Show, where it launched the 850 Especial 4 Puertas Lujo, which shared SEAT’s stand with the 600 E and 1430, two other vehicles exclusive to the brand. It was the first time that SEAT exhibited its models at a European car show and, at the same time, the proof that SEAT had conceived the 850 Especial 4 Puertas Lujo as a model that measured up to the most demanding markets.

The new car was fitted with the 47 HP engine and the front disc brakes from the 2- and 4-door 850 Especial, but in luxury trim added several new features. Firstly, it was fitted with a dual independent brake circuit, as the 124 D and 1430 saloons, which did not become widespread in the 850 range until the unveiling of the 850 D in late 1972. In addition, it had alternator instead of dynamo, heated rear window and air vents on the rear pillars (which the 850 D would also inherit).

But the refinement of the 850 Especial 4 Puertas Lujo went further. The cabin was fully carpeted; the seats were more enveloping, upholstered in cloth reinforced with artificial leather on the sides, and the dashboard was adorned with imitation wood. In addition, the 4P Lujo was fitted with the instrument board from the 850 Sport Coupé, with two large gauges, and a centre console. Finally, it was fitted with seat belts, not yet mandatory in the domestic market.

With all this, the 850 Especial 4 Puertas Lujo almost rivalled in price with the entry version of the SEAT 124 D, and many users preferred it for its rich equipment and looks, despite the fact that the 124 was a higher-end car, with much improved space and performance.

At the Paris Motor Show the following year, SEAT unveiled the revamped 850 D range, which had become a SEAT-exclusive production model for the whole of Europe. Several of the novelties introduced by the 850 Especial 4 Puertas Lujo were incorporated into the new 850 D, such as the dual brake circuit and the air vents on the rear pillars. For its part, the new 850 D Especial 4 Puertas Lujo was distinguished by a new grille, more modern and joining the two headlights.

This unit of 850 Especial 4 Puertas Lujo was registered in April 1972 and is part of the SEAT HISTÓRICOS Collection since November 2004.