Fiat did fairly effectively promoting automobiles in the US throughout the 1970s, particularly after the 1973 Oil Disaster made gasoline financial system a really persuasive promoting level. Whereas gross sales of the bigger 131/Brava and weird-looking Strada by no means amounted to a lot right here, 128s, 124 Sport Spiders and X1/9s had been throughout American roads throughout the Malaise Period. In the present day’s Junkyard Gem is a type of X1/9s, present in a boneyard close to Pikes Peak in Colorado.
The design of the X1/9 was impressed by the 1969 Autobianchi A112 Bertone idea automobile, and it featured the engine/transaxle meeting and entrance suspension from the Fiat 128 mounted simply behind the seats. A bit greater than a decade later, GM copied that concept through the use of Chevrolet Quotation operating gear and entrance suspension behind the Pontiac Fiero.
The outcome was a light-weight, nimble mid-engined targa convertible that achieved wonderful gasoline financial system and appeared far faster than it really was.
The X1/9 was obtainable in the US from the 1973 via 1987 mannequin years. As a result of Fiat fled the US in 1982, the 1983-1987 X1/9s had been imported by Malcolm Bricklin (sure, on the similar time he was the Yugo King) and bought with Bertone badging. The Bricklin-imported 124 Sport Spider was obtainable right here throughout that interval because the Pininfarina Azurra.
The MSRP for the ’78 X1/9 was $5,445, or about $26,804 in 2023 {dollars}. In the meantime, the 124 Sport Spider listed at $6,495 ($31,973 after inflation), although it had fairly a bit extra horsepower (90 versus the X1/9’s 67). The following-cheapest mid-engined Italian two-seater People may purchase that 12 months was the Ferrari 308, which began at an eye-watering $28,580 ($140,692 at present); the ’78 Maserati Bora price $29,800 ($146,698 now). A 12 months earlier, there would have been a little bit of competitors with the Lancia Scorpion, however the final mannequin 12 months right here for that considerably low cost machine was 1977.
The U.S.-market X1/9 was underpowered, no getting round that, nevertheless it managed to be enjoyable to drive. Set up a quad-cam Alfa Romeo V6 from a 164 in a single, although, and also you get a terrifyingly quick monitor machine.
I used X1/9 aspect scoops on the hood of my 1965 Impala sedan challenge, again within the 1990s.
The little entry hatch to the distributor, positioned behind the passenger seat, is a considerate contact by Fiat.
Its remaining parking area has a very good view of Pikes Peak (the snow-covered mountain behind the Xterra), at the very least. A low-mile unique X1/9 of this period is value first rate cash, however a battered hooptie like this simply wasn’t more likely to discover a without end residence.
One of the best mileage of any two-seater sports activities automobile bought in America! It is a good factor for Fiat that the X1/9 by no means needed to compete head-to-head with the Honda CRX.