The Fiat-Bertone X1/9 story

A PIECE OF HISTORY
As one of the most produced cars with mid-engine construction, the X1/9 can enjoy itself with a large amount of lovers. It's clear to a lot of people that the X1/9 with the styling of it's Designer Nuccio Bertone, the technique developed by Fiat and the pure Italian beauty, liveliness and spirit, has all the necessary ingredients to be a "classic-car of tomorrow".

DE X1/9 - HET BEGIN
The styling and construction of the X1/9 is sportive, refined and beautiful while the practical usefulness of the car (with a luggage compartment in the front and rear side) was not lost out of sight in the design.
The official press-introduction of the Fiat X1/9 took place in 1972 on Sicily. The reactions of the public and the international press were positive and enthusiast. For that, the Fiat X1/9 was a payable mid-engine sports car with a very attractive and modern styling, a phenomenal roadability and an interesting technique.
The 1298 cc engine supplied power of 75 hp (55 kW) at 6000 rpm. With the weight of 880 kg this resulted in a top speed of 170 km/h (105mph) and an acceleration of 0-100 km/h (0-60mph) in 13,8 sec. The X1/9 was also i.a. equipped with a independent wheel suspension and MacPherson telescope shock absorbers, rag and pinion type steering-gear, hydraulic controlled disk brakes on all wheels en 4,5J x 13 rims with 145 SR 13 tires.
Also striking were the brutal sharp colors in which the X1/9 was painted (like i.a. citron yellow, apple green en bright red). The X1/9 did 't actually undergo large changes in appearance during it's existence.

THE X1/9 SERIE SPECIALE
In 1976 (because of the 50.000st one that left the factory) the X1/9 "SERIE SPECIALE" was introduced. Externally this special version was recognizable by the "wafer striping" around the car, the extra black plastic front spoiler, Carello fog lights, a magnificent striped material interior and a new instrument panel with yellow/orange and red for the indications.
Each X1/9 of this Serie Speciale carried a special plate on the right front screen with the national flag (of the land where the car was being delivered to), the production number and the autograph of the master Nuccio Bertone.
The indication X1/9 was placed on the sides of the car, abreast of the roll bar. Besides all this, as an extra option, nicely shaped 3-spoke light metal 5J x 13 Bertone rims with 165/70 SR 13 tires were deliverable.

THE X1/9 LIDO
In 1977 Bertone launched the X1/9 LIDO (named after the equally named nightclub in Paris). Motorical/technical and qua coach-work this version was identical to the standard X1/9. The Lido was only deliverable in metallic black with white chair- and (door)panel covering. The bumpers were chromium-plated instead of dull-black while the Bertone rims were also standard. On the sides of the car was a subtle striping placed with again the indication X1.9 on the sides of the roll bar.

THE X1/9 CORSA
Besides the X1/9 Serie Speciale and X1/9 Lido Bertone presented in 1975 during the "Autosalon of Brussels" another special version of the X1/9: the CORSA.
This X1/9 Corsa was i.a. equipped with very nice and broad rims (therefore the front- and rear screens had to be extended a little with widening strips), a black plastic back spoiler (mounted on the luggage cover), the indication "X1/9 CORSA" on the doors and (as probably most striking detail) the tub chairs of the Lancia Stratos HF.

THE X1/9 1500
Real big changes took place in the autumn of 1978 when the X1/9 got another hart in the new (lead away from the Fiat Ritmo) 1498 cc engine with 5-spead transmission. The power increased up to 85 hp/62,5 kW. The top speed was 180 km/h (112 mph) while the acceleration of 0-100 km/h (0-60 mph) used about 12 sec.
At the same time with this motorical changes the X1/9 was from now on equipped with large aluminum shock absorbing "American" bumpers, a new and higher engine cover, new style interior (dashboard and chairs), an other gear change lever and steel 5J x 13 "four-leaved clover" rims with 165/70 SR 13 tires.
The result of all this interference and changes was a slightly faster and more comfortable car. Round 1980 some other smaller changes took place. So the Fiat X1/9 5-speed of the "2nd series" was i.a. equipped with a from the inside adjustable exterior mirror and a Bertone type-plate on the dashboard.
Unfortunately, it became more clear that the popularity of the X1/9 had reached its top now and the sales were decreasing quickly. Therefore Fiat decided to remove the X1/9 from the delivery program in spring 1982.

THE X1/9 BERTONE
However, it didn't mean the end of almost 10 years of X1/9 life!
Carozzeria Bertone, who took charge of the production and assembly of the body/chassis units until then, was of opinion that the elegant two-seater was still vital enough and decided therefore to take the complete production and distribution in his own charge and to centralize it in the Bertone factory in Grugliasco/Turin. In fact, this decision was already taken in 1981, but Fiat still maintained the X1/9 in the delivery program until the beginning of 1982.
In September 1981 Bertone began with the assembly of a "new generation" X1/9’s, intended for the American market. The Fiat logo disappeared and instead, the beautiful Bertone logo showed off on the X1/9 which from now on was called BERTONE X1/9. The indication Fiat moved to the B-pillar.

THE X1/9 BERTONE "IN"
From 1982 this transition period was left behind and Bertone presented the special BERTONE "IN" version. For the United States the X1/9 was being equipped with a fuel injection-system and a capacity of 75 hp.
The indication IN related to "Injection" (for the USA). Other interpretations were "In Fashion" or "In Vogue". Mechanical/technical nothing changed on the car (except the injection system for the USA). The Bertone IN was painted in two metallic colors (upper half silver-grey, lower half black/anthracite) and fitted with red leather interior covering and electrical windows. Besides this it was standard equipped with the well-known 3-spoke Bertone rims. On the dashboard a plate was mounted with the production number and the autograph of Nuccio Bertone on it.
In the Netherlands this "renewed" Bertone IN was officially however not deliverable anymore. From 1983 Bertone also presented the X1/9 in other colors and color combinations.

The name Fiat definitively disappeared from the B-pillar and was being replaced by the one of Bertone. Above it there was a transfer placed with the (vertical) type-indication X1/9. From 1994 the X1/9 was being equipped with light metal Bertone rims and other colors and color combinations in the well-known "two tone" (2 colors) pattern. As extra there was also a red or black leather interior covering deliverable. On the dashboard there was a special plate mounted with (in green) the autograph of Nuccio Bertone.

THE X1/9 BERTONE 1985 MODEL
From September 1985 the Bertone X1/9 was being introduced on the Dutch market again in 2 models:
· Bertone X1/9, 1498 cc, 85 hp/63 kW
· Bertone X1/9, 1498 cc, 77 hp/56 kW with injection and catalysator
The car was standard i.a. equipped with electrical windows, tinted windows all around, automatic safety belts, rear fog light and from the inside adjustable exterior mirrors.
In 1987 the X1/9 did also undergo some "cosmetic" changes like i.a. leather covered steering wheel, new gear change lever and luxury material chair- and door panel covering, new beautiful Bertone-rims, engine cover painted in the same color as the coach-work, broad black protection strips of plastic mounted on the doors and part of the front screens, all (previously chromium-plated) ornamental strips designed in dull-black, strips with the indication "Bertone" on the inside thresholds (interior).
In June/July 1988 the Bertone X1/9 was definitively removed from production.

DE X1/9 BERTONE GRAN FINALE
Als laatste uitvoering is de X1/9 afgeleverd als de "Gran Finale".

The number of produced X1/9’s in the period 1972-1988 is about 170.000 cars.

(Source: Translated from the club-information paper)