Half a century on.. celebrating Fiat’s sporty classic

By Classic Yorkshire correspondent Tony Lofthouse

It’s 50 years since the European launch of a much underrated Italian open-top classic into showrooms.

The two-seat Fiat X1/9, designed by the Bertone company, oozed appeal with its wedge styling, retractable headlights and impressive handling – a combination which would help sell the car in bucketloads, particularly in the US.

Described as ‘the world’s smallest and cheapest mid-engined sports car’ the X1/9 first went on sale in Italy in 1972. The UK would have to wait five more years for the right-hand drive version.

The early model (1972-78) lacked a bit of oomph with a 1290cc overhead-cam engine and four-speed transmission taken from the Fiat 128. But, it came well packaged. To utilise space the spare wheel and fuel tank was tucked behind the seating and the engine was fitted upright.

It also had distinctive wrap around steel split bumpers with rubber blocks.

By 1979 the X1/9 boasted a 1498cc engine and five-speed gearbox boosting output to 85 bhp. It may sound modest, but on the road this nippy fun car was smaller and lighter to handle than its other rivals.

A year later, buyers could opt for Bosch fuel injection which pushed up engine performance. The 80s models also came with US-spec impact absorbing bumpers which were less appealing!

The X1/9 was manufactured by Fiat until 1982 when it would be ‘badged’ as a Bertone until the end of its life in 1989.

By the late eighties the X1/9 was facing growing competition from models like the Toyota MR2 (launched in 1984) and the arrival of the Mazda MX5. 

Despite this, in 17 years it clocked up respectable sales figures with around 160,000 sold and two-thirds heading across the Atlantic.

This little car did have its problems with rust common on its wings, doors and wheel arches and reliability wasn’t great either. The taller driver could also find the lack of headroom, bucket seats and close-set pedals a bit awkward.

Today, there are fewer than 300 X1/9s on UK roads with another 800 registered SORN, so finding an A1 condition rust-proof example is a challenge.

Enthusiasts for this Italian classic – and they are out there – tend to go for the larger engined five-speed model and a post-1980 fuel injection version. 

Look out for the 1989 Gran Finale model, marking the final generation of the X1/9 when Bertone had  taken over production. This limited edition tends to sell for around £5,000 to £10,000, depending on condition.

Fifty years on, the X1/9 might be ‘off the radar’ for some buyers, but this fun sports car still offers a great ride at good prices – if you can find one!