1981 Fiat X1/9

The Fiat X1/9 was a sports car originally designed for the masses. It featured a wedge-shaped, mid-engined two-seat body with a Targa top that could be stored in the front luggage compartment. Power was from Fiat's front-wheel-drive 128 model. It was mounted transversally behind the cabin giving the car a mid-engine layout. The design of the body and its construction was courtesy of Nuccio Bertone's studio and given a modern interior and a well-balanced chassis.

For 1981, the overhead-cam four-cylinder engine received fuel injection as standard equipment. A five-speed manual gearbox, remote driver's mirror, tachometer, padded sports steering wheel, tinted glass, console, carpeting, LED digital clock, remote trunk and engine-compartment releases, electric rear defroster, and steel rally wheels were also standard.

The overhead-cam, inline four-cylinder engine had a cast-iron block and aluminum head, a 91.4 cubic-inch displacement, solid valve lifters, five main bearings, and delivered 75 (SAE) horsepower and 79 lb-ft (SAE) of torque. The wheelbase measured 86.7-inches and had a length of 156.2-inches. The steering was a rack and pinion unit, and the front suspension used MacPherson struts with lower lateral links, coil springs and compliance struts. In the back were reaction struts with lower A-arms, coil springs, and trailing arms. Disc brakes in the front and rear provided the stopping power.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2017

This two-seater mid-engined sports car was designed by Bertone. With a transverse engine and gearbox in a mid-mounted, rear-wheel-drive configuration, the X1/9 was noted for its balanced handling, retractable headlights, lightweight removable hardtop, front- and rear storage compartments - and for being the first Fiat to have been designed to comply with U.S. Safety regulations.