 |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
FIAT X 1/9 -
1972 X 1/9 - already the name sounds like the legendary NASA test aircrafts of the fifties. If there hadn't been four wheels on each corner the first impression would have confirmed this. In 1969 when Bertone introduced the first design and called it Runabout Barchetta the appearance certainly reminded one more of a spacecraft than a car. This seemed too adventurous to the Fiat top management for a series production. Not until Alejandro de Tomaso showed a perky copy with a Ford engine at the Turin Salon did Fiat wake up. In 1972 the first X 1/9 was produced under the direction of Nuccio Bertone, whose chief designer, Marcllo Gandini was responsible for the slightly diffused design. Finally, in 1973, export to Germany started. |
 |
 |
 |
| Runabout study by Bertone | ||
 |
 |
 |
|
With the predecessor 850 Spider smooth curves prevailed but the design of the X 1/9 seemed to be battered with an axe: A racy wedge with a small muzzle and a square rear end. Not a sedate cruiser but just a real sports car. The remaining ingredients were devoted to this image; the nearly 4 metres long dart was equipped with a mid engine placed directly in front of the rear axle; a feature only to be found in cars some classes higher. And also the X 1/9 gave a go- kart like handling. Anyway the bread'n'butter Ferrari met with success and by the end of production at the end of the 80's, 170,000 units had left the factory. The X 1/9 was not as fast as the outer shape suggested, though the engine was stepped up reasonably compared to the original 52 bhp and now produced 75 bhp from the 1.3 litre engine. This leveraged the jaunty wedge to what was, at that time, a remarkable acceleration of 12 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h (65 mph) along with a top speed of 170 km/h (105 mph). But with 880kg dry weight that wasn’t really a trick. With the interior Fiat honestly took care in letting the owners think they were sitting in a real sports car with a four spoke sporty steering wheel, a short gearshift and optional leather seats. |
 |
 |
 |
| X 1/9 model year 1976 | US-version (1975) | |
 |
 |
 |
| Bertone X 1/9-S 1986 |
|
The standard X 1/9 had not really been a colourfull flower and so in 1976 Gandini conceived the ‘Exclusive’ version, - a step further up. Among the conspicuous features was a large black side stripe, with a geometrical pattern which ran from the front bumper to the rear lights; a lavish front spoiler and square shaped additional headlights. Unique in this price range was the standard suitcase set with a tartan design. Such touches were only available elsewhere at Ferrari’s. It goes without saying that these changes put the price up. In 1978 at last the quite small engine was reworked now reaching at least 1.5 litres. Additionally some visual changes were made to satisfy the spirit of the time and US-taste, like larger bumpers and a new bonnet. Four years later at Fiat they saw no future for the X 1/9. Nevertheless Bertone had a different opinion and produced the car until 1987/1988. The last version left the lines as ‘Gran Finale’. And that’s it with the X 1/9. Text: Motorvision www.motorvision.de |