Here’s how the Fiat X1/9 was Italy’s first cheap mid-engine sports car

Get a 15% discount on your next car cover at carcover.com! Use this link to get your discount: https://www.carcover.com/?via=MyOldCar In this episode I provide the history of the Fiat X1/9, a two-seater mid-engine coupe with a removable hardtop, which was originally designed by coachbuilder Bertone. Originally designed with the North American market in mind, it missed an important regulation soon after its release by requiring large unsightly bumpers to conform to the U.S. requirements for 5-mile-an-hour crash worthiness. Although sales were good for the first few years, by 1982, Fiat's overall sales had dropped enough to force them out of the North American market, however Bertone took over production and worked with Malcom Bricklin to continue imports. However sales kept declining enough that the X1/9 was discontinued by 1989. I also explain in this episode how it got the unusual name of X1/9.

Added 6 Sept 2026