Fiat X1/9

The Fiat X1/9 was a small mid-engined two-seater sports car manufactured during the 1970s and 1980s.

Concept car

File:Bertonex19proto.jpg

Bertone X1/9 show prototype

The X1/9 started life in 1972 as a show concept car, with styling by Bertone under chief designer Marcello Gandini. It was designed around the mechanicals and engine from the front wheel drive Fiat 128, but used these parts in a radical way, moving the entire transverse drive train and suspension assembly from the front of the 128 to the rear of the X1/9, giving a mid-engined layout.

The two-seater featured sharp-edged styling with a wedge shape, pop-up headlights and a removable hard top roof panel (targa top) which could be stowed in the front of the car under the hood. Stylistically, the car looked somewhat like a miniature version of its later stablemate, the Lancia Monte Carlo, which was originally called the Fiat X1/8, then later the X1/20 at the design stage.

The name came from Fiat's internal codename. At the time, the company used the "X1/number" designation for all vehicle designs. The X1/9 is unique in that it retained the codename into production.

Production

Fiat X1/9 at Wheels Of Italy

After huge interest was shown in the concept, the X1/9 was rushed into production on an assembly line at Bertone's factory. Initially badged as a Fiat worldwide, later models (from the mid to late 1980s) were badged as the Bertone X1/9 in some markets.

The first models featured a free-revving 75 bhp (56 kW) 1300 cc single overhead cam engine with an aluminium head. In this form, the car had less than dramatic performance, hampered somewhat by the surprisingly heavy body shell. The weight largely stems from the immense strength of the bodyshell, built to give the car the same crash resistance in US crash tests as a sedan. Ironically while the X1/9 passed these tests, many standard US models of the day failed them, and eventually the test criteria were relaxed. However the design was complete by then and so the bodyshell stiffness is considerable for a car of its type, and it also allows power plants of much greater power to be added without the need to beef up the standard shell.

For the U.S. market, additional emission control equipment and large safety bumpers were added, which sapped performance even more — an increase of engine capacity to 1500 cc with 85 bhp (63 kW) partially dealt with this. While the engine itself was widely regarded as a fine design, the fact was that the car was rather heavy, despite its small size and sports car aspirations.

Fiat considered making the X1/9 the basis for their efforts in rallying, but instead opted for the Lancia Stratos, a similar design also designed by Bertone and Gandini.

The last production models were produced as Gran Finales in 1988. They were a dealer modification of the SE variant, with the addition of a rear spoiler and Gran Finale badges. All X1/9s are nowadays quite sought after as cheap classics.

Criticism

The X1/9 was not properly developed for production, and a reputation for problems dogged the model throughout its remarkably long life. The confined space of the engine compartment meant that routine maintenance was often skipped, and it also led to problems with overheating. A cooling fan was added for the carburetor, which otherwise would get so hot fuel would vaporize in the float chamber, leading to fuel starvation. The exhaust system was placed below a vestigial trunk, which would get so hot that it was hazardous to place things here. Early models were also prone to premature rusting to an extent that it endangered the security of the steering rack. There were problems with rapid wear of the transmission and in particular, failure of the reverse gear, even if the driver was careful not to use reverse on even a modest driveway upgrade, rather backing into the driveway to avoid strain. The fuel system would produce extremely fine rust that would pass through the fuel filter and settle in the carburetor bowl, eventually blocking a critical passage that required carburetor removal and flushing - well within the capabilities of the home mechanic, but a nuisance nonetheless.

In contrast to these mundane problems, and the fact that it was often dismissed as a "hairdresser's car" by some, the car was respected by those in the know for its tremendously good handling and dynamic qualities which made it a joy to drive and a real driver's car. One motoring review of the car after a 12,000 mile (19,000 km) test consisted simply of three words: "A baby Ferrari". Enthusiasts of the marque also took the standard lack of power into their own hands, and a popular do-it-yourself conversion was to transplant a 2.0 L Lancia DOHC engine in, boosting performance tremendously. Replacing the solid front brake rotors with vented Lancia parts was another common modification.

The removable hardtop, although not heavy, could be awkward for some people to remove and replace until the proper technique was worked out.

External links

• UK X1/9 Owners' Club site, with lots of pictures
• SeattleX19, NW USA Club, linked to worldwide XWEB FORUMS
• The german speaking X1/9 forum, with lots of technical tips and a very helpful crowd

Bertone Designs

Abarth: 1952 Abarth 1500 Coupé | 1958 Abarth 1000 GT Coupé | 1965 Abarth OT 1000 Spider Alfa Romeo: 1953 Alfa Romeo BAT-5 | 1954 Alfa Romeo 1900 Sport Spider | 1954 Alfa Romeo 2000 Sportiva | 1954 Alfa Romeo BAT-7 | 1954 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint | 1955 Alfa Romeo BAT-9 | 1960 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Speciale | 1962 Alfa Romeo 2600 Sprint | 1962 Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint | 1962 Alfa Romeo GTA | 1962 Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint Speciale | 1964 Alfa Romeo Canguro | 1967 Alfa Romeo GT 1300 Junior | 1967 Alfa Romeo Montreal | 1968 Alfa Romeo Carabo | 1976 Alfa Romeo Navajo | 1978 Alfa Romeo Alfetta | 1980 Alfa Romeo Alfetta 2000 | 1983 Alfa Romeo Delfino | 2003 Alfa Romeo GT ASA: 1962 ASA Coupé Bertone: 1970 Bertone Berlinetta | 1992 Bertone Blitz | 2003 Bertone Birusa Ferrari: 1962 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso | 1974 Ferrari 208/308 GT4 | 1976 Ferrari Rainbow Fiat: 1967 Fiat Dino Coupé | 1968 Fiat 850Sport Spider | 1978 Fiat Ritmo/Strada | Fiat X1/9 ISO: 1962 Iso Rivolta | 1965 Iso Grifo | 1969 Iso Lele Lamborghini: 1967 Lamborghini Marzal | 1967 Lamborghini Miura | 1968 Lamborghini Espada | 1970 Lamborghini Urraco | 1971 Lamborghini Countach | 1974 Lamborghini Bravo | 1980 Lamborghini Athon | 1988 Lamborghini Genesis | 1990 Lamborghini Diablo Lambretta: 1968 Lambretta Luna line: Lui, Vega & Cometa | 1969 Lambretta GP/DL Scooter Lancia: 1970 Lancia Stratos Zero | 1972 Lancia Stratos | 1978 Lancia Sibilo Maserati: 1972 Maserati Khamsin | 1974 Maserati Quattroporte II