The mid-to-late 70's were a busy and exciting time for the Italian company.

Fiat Trattori S.P.A had just been formed in 1974, counting four factories domestically, including the SPA factory in Turin, and the OM factory in Brescia, not forgetting four factories abroad, and six construction and assembly licenses. All having to be organized under the new company structure. 
The millionth Fiat tractor rolled of the line in 1974 as well. 
In 1975, Fiat went on a buying spree, acquiring a 20% holding in Laverda, and buying four factories from other Italian manufacturers, including the Lamborghini Trattori factory of Cento, and the Agrifull-Toselli company of Ferrara. And again in 1977, buying the Spanish tractor constructor Motransa, and Fiat's first holding in Hesston. All while developing and introducing a full line of new 80-series tractors.
In 1977, one out of ten tractor sold around the world was a Fiat tractor.

What set the 80-series apart from its competitors when first seen in 1975, was the new and luxuries 
heated and airconditioned, rubber suspended, monocoque, "Supercomfort" cabin. 
Fiat had spent much time, and invested considerably in researching the optimal driver ergonomics, and developing a strong and silent cabin together with Pinninfarina, when most of its European competitors where still offering operator cabins as an afterthought.
Other technical innovations such as fully synchronized gearboxes, wet disc brakes and power-steering
on all models, flexion bar draft control, a new four wheel drive system with epicycloid reduction gears, and a coaxial driveshaft extension without cardan joints, combined with competitive pricing, made the 80-series a roaring succes for Fiat Trattori.

The full 80-series would slowly be revealed to the public. First with the introduction of the 780 and 880 in 1975. Followed up by the 580, 680 and 980 in 1978. And finally the "Grandi" tractors in 1979.

The Fiat 980 was sold internationally and domestically as Fiat. Apart from France and North America, where it was sold under the Someca and Hesston brand respectively.

The tractor initially carried the orange bodycolor that Fiat Trattori were known for, but the series would from 1981 change to the redish-brown "Terracotta" bodycolor, which had already been used on Hesston branded Fiat tractors, and would become synonymous with the "Fiatagri" brand.
The changes in 1981 also included a re-design of the Supercomfort cabins C-pillar, making it slimer, in respons to first owners complaints about the lack of visibility out the triangular side windows.

The 80-series carried over the strong and proven stressed chassis design from the Gold Ribbon series, with the engines cast-iron crankcase being part of the tractors backbone. Though this was mostly hidden by the modern Pinninfarina-designed enclosed hood of the 980.

In 1979, the only gearbox available for the 980 was the newly developed and fully synchronized 12 forward and 3 reverse, later gaining a fully synchonized 16 forward and 4 reverse gearbox.  
In 1981, locking front differential became standard.

The 980 used an updated version of the six cylinder, direct injected diesel engine, from the 1000.
With a displacement of 5.184cc, the engine developed 98 hp at 2.400 rpm and 323 nm at 1.200 rpm.

The 80-series would help Fiat Trattori become the best selling brand of tractors in Europe, with a market share of 13.3% to 14.4% between 1980 and 1982, overtaking the American giants and other continental manufacturers.