The iconic Italian automotive design house Bertone was founded in 1912. The X1/9 started life as the Bertone designed Autobianchi A112 Runabout concept car (image #11) created by Bertone's Chief Designer Marcello Gandini in 1969 and was produced from 1974 through 1988. After a long hiatus since it was discontinued, Bertone announced an X1/9 successor planned for 2026, the ~$500,000 460bhp Bertone Runabout. In addition to designing and building the X1/9, Bertone has designed some of the most beautiful automobiles ever built (image #10), including the Lamborghini Countach - made famous by the 1981 movie, "Cannonball Run" (image #12), the Lamborghini Miura - the 1st mid-engined supercar, the Lancia Stratos (image #13), and many more. Bertone has recently introduced the $2.16 million 1,109bhp twin-turbo V10-engined hypercar, the Bertone GB110.
The X1/9 is often thought of as a “baby Ferrari” based on the fact that Ferrari was majority owned by Fiat during the years the X1/9 was made, the engine was designed by famed Ferrari engine designer Aurelio Lampredi, as well its similarity with its contemporary corporate cousin the Ferrari 308 (image #7) which was produced during the same time period (1975-85) and also under Fiat ownership. The 308 gained household recognition thanks to a starring role in television’s 1980's series “Magnum, P.I.,” starring Tom Selleck (image #6). While the 308 garnered magazine covers and headlines, the X1/9 gobbled up racing trophies at an alarming rate. The mid-engine Fiat only needed a little tweaking under the hood to become a staple of amateur motorsports accumulating more than 30 SCCA autocross national championships and numerous road racing crowns in it's heyday.
As of the fall of 2018, it was estimated that only 1,034 X1/9's were still registered in the US making them increasing very rare automobiles...
Bertone X1/9
With a transverse engine and gearbox in a mid-engined, rear-wheel drive configuration, the X1/9 was noted for its balanced handling, retractable pop-up headlights, lightweight removable targa hardtop which could be stowed under the front hood, and front and rear storage compartments. Four generations of X1/9 were sold in the U.S with ~100,000 of the 160,000 total X1/9 production imported to the US
- Gen 1: 1974 - 63 hp US spec (75hp ROW) 1.3L / 1290 cc engines, and four-speed transmissions, small (U.S.-specific) bumpers with large rubber blocks (this was the only year for this style bumper which car collectors value today - the Mach Five car has been retrofitted with the desirable '74 style bumpers)
- Gen 2: 1975-1978 - Exhaust gas recirculation valves, air pumps and activated charcoal systems were added to meet US emissions standards which reduced power to 61hp (U.S.-specific), change to "Ladder-style" impact absorbing bumpers front and rear
- Gen 3: 1979-1982 - In 1979 U.S. X1/9s received major revisions including: square, aluminum bumpers with "elephant ears" side trim; horizontal slat front grille; 1.5L engine with Bosch electronic ignition, five-speed transaxle, more durable axles and wheel bearings; raised engine cover to accommodate taller engine; addition of a full-width access panel between the engine compartment and rear trunk; modern fuse and relay center; the words "five speed" in front of a ribbed background added to the redesigned "X1/9" model designation badge on the right rear decklid, new seats, instrument panel and dash redesign moved the heating and ventilation controls from the center console up to the main dash, relocated the radio to the center dash area, moved the fuse panel from the area above the driver's left knee to the area above the passenger's footwell where the glovebox was, and moved the glovebox to atop the dash. In 1980, sideview mirror moved from door mounting to through-glass mounting, and in 1981, Bosch L-Jetronic fuel injection was introduced for all US X1/9's
- Gen 4: 1983-1989 - In 1983, the cars were rebranded as the "Bertone X1/9" and imported to the US by International Automobile Importers led by Malcolm Bricklin. In 1984, electrical system modernized with GBC fuses replaced by ATC blade style fuses under the dash just below the glove box, improved rust protection, revised seating to accommodate taller drivers. In 1985, the bumper finish changed from anodized aluminum to flat black., and the X1/9 badge on rear decklid was discontinued. In 1987, wide body side moldings were added, fully padded three-spoke steering wheel, new instrument panel font (panel layout unchanged), cosmetic changes to climate controls on AC-equipped cars, Speedline "phone dial" wheels, with Pirelli P3 185/60-R13 tires, full "blackout" molding treatment
A 1979 Fiat X1/9 was the 1st car owned by the managing partner of Mach Five Motorsports which was unfortunately sold in the late 1980's.