Bertone Fiat / Bertone X1/9 History
A mid-engined, targa-top two-seater designed by Gandini for Fiat — then taken over and built by Bertone under its own name from 1982 to 1989.
Photo: “1977 Fiat X1-9 1.3” by Vauxford / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
History
The X1/9 was designed by Marcello Gandini at Bertone and entered production for Fiat in 1972, notable as the first mass-market car to combine a transverse mid-engine layout, a removable targa top, and a front storage compartment — all at a price ordinary buyers could reach. Press drives were held in November 1972 and production began at Bertone's Grugliasco plant.
In 1982, Fiat transferred complete manufacturing responsibility to Bertone, which marketed the car under its own name as the 'Bertone X1/9.' The final 1989 cars were sold as the Gran Finale edition. Total production across both the Fiat and Bertone phases reached approximately 160,000 units, making it one of the most successful mid-engine sports cars of its era by volume.
The X1/9 was also the first Fiat designed from the outset to meet US federal safety regulations, and North America was a crucial market throughout its run.
Generations
Fiat X1/9 (1300) · Fiat-era 1300
Photo: “1977 Fiat X1-9 1.3” by Vauxford / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
Original 1,290cc four-cylinder production run; manufactured by Bertone for Fiat.
1977 Photo: “1977 Fiat X1-9 1.3” by Vauxford / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
Fiat X1/9 1500 · Fiat-era 1500
Photo: “1979 Fiat X19” by Joost J. Bakker from IJmuiden / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0. Cropped to 16:9.
Larger 1,498cc engine added more performance; still badged and sold as a Fiat.
1978 Photo: “1978 Fiat X1-9 sports (30922809300)” by Sicnag / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0. Cropped to 16:9.
1979 Photo: “1979 Fiat X19” by Joost J. Bakker from IJmuiden / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0. Cropped to 16:9.
1981 Photo: “1981 Fiat X1 9” by Calreyn88 / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
Bertone X1/9 · Bertone-era
Photo: “1987 Bertone X1-9 Lane Motor Museum” by TaurusEmerald / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
Sold under the Bertone name after Fiat transferred full production; ended with the 1989 Gran Finale.
1982 Photo: “Bertone X1 9 (1982-89) (49534204857)” by Andrew Bone from Weymouth, England / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0. Cropped to 16:9.
1985 Photo: “1985 Fiat X1 9 VS” by Calreyn88 / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
1987 Photo: “1987 Bertone X1-9 Lane Motor Museum” by TaurusEmerald / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
1989 Photo: “1989 Bertone X1-9 (9502295711)” by Niels de Wit from Lunteren, The Netherlands / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0. Cropped to 16:9.
Body styles
- Targa coupe
Notable special editions & performance variants
Gran Finale
The final limited production run, sold under the Bertone name, marking the end of X1/9 production.
Related models
Collect the nameplate
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