The Untold Story Of The Fiat X1/9 Abarth
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- čas přidán 31. 05. 2022
- Manufactured in over 150.000 units between 1972 and 1989, the Fiat X1/9 is fondly remembered for its unique style and excellent handling: especially so in the United States, the market that took by far the largest share of production. But what if I told you that the Fiat X1/9 could, at one point, have become a rally champion?
From March of 1974, Fiat-Abarth campaigned the X1/9 in the "Group 5" prototype class in the few events that allowed it, where the X1/9's potential quickly became apparent. On its third outing, the X1/9 won outright the "Rally Delle Alpi Orientali" with Fulvio Bacchelli and Bruno Scabini.
By the end of the 1974 season, the X1/9 Abarth proved itself a formidable contender: according to Fiat's development driver Giorgio Pianta, the X1/9 Abarth was easier to drive and faster than the Lancia Stratos.
Nevertheless, all that Fiat needed to do was build the 400 road cars required for homologation in "Group 4." Bertone had already made the necessary preparations, and the X1/9 Abarth could be homologated by February of '75. But it was not to be... #Fiat #Abarth #Bertone
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As much as I love the Stratos, I can't help but feel that the X1/9 rally program would have been a worthy challenger. I had two opportunities to buy an X1/9, and both times I had to pass, sadly. Always thought it was a beautiful, underappreciated car
I just picked up a 74 x19, I couldn't pass it up (it was sooo cheap). Now I'm saving up for the Midwest bayless swap kit, I got a used low mileage k24 from an accord. Can't wait to drive it!
That’s a cool project!
I love X1/9's.I wish we were still in the 70's😍😍😍
In the 80's near Dayton Florida, Al Consentino had a shop, and at least one maybe two of the actual Abarth X prototypes. I bought some Campagnolo wheels for my X from him. Cool cars, but I always lusted after the Dallara bodied X
Yes, Cosentino’s name pops up in many accounts about the prototypes’s fate in the years following Abarth. I agree, the Dallara X1/9 looks fantastic!
I had the exact yellow X1/9 same carpet color as my first car.. Loved that little go-kart.
That’s cool! 👍
In 1987 I had the pleasure of visiting Paul & the late Bob Swenson (PBS Engineering) in California. They raced a highly modified X1/9 for the SCCA championship and wrote a detailed handbook on how to build it. I have the book but sadly never got around to building my own car.
That’s very cool! I hope you’ll get the chance to make that build one day then!
I was lucky enough to own 2 of them. One, I installed a twincam 2L Montecarlo engine. Drove the other one every day for years. Loved them both. Got to see the X1/9 Abarth when Ing. Isenburg gave me a tour of the treasure cave.
In their parts area, there were 2 Tipo 282 engines, which I couldn't afford.
I think one was 25,000,000 Lire in 1988. They had my second favourite 131 Abarth as well, and all of the rally cars. Shook hands with Mickey Biasion. Met Nini Russo as well, and Mrs. Costa. Took a wrong turn off Corso J Cesare to try to get to C/Marche 38, and spotted a Volumetrico 131. Inquired inside, and the building was a race shop owned by an ex Abarth man and a lawyer. My God, they had as many rally parts as Abarth! I later bought that 131 after pleading for about 3 years.
Wonderful memories.
Wow, that’s fantastic! Especially given you saw the Corso Marche ‘shop shortly after its Abarth days. I’ve only ever been there since it was renovated into an Abarth showroom… Which didn’t last long, by the way
I had three X1/9s. A 1974, a 1979 and an early 1982. The fuel injected car was the best one. I got the 82 new and wish I still had that one.
I guess the fuel injection made it run much better. Here in Italy it was carburettors all along, as European emissions regs back then lagged way behind the US ones
Great video 🏁🏁
X1/9 owner since 1991
Thank you, glad you enjoyed it!
The X1/9 was always my dream car as a teenager who would always stop at the local dealer who had them for sale. I still want one!
Somehow, this fabulous creature is better as a myth than as something you might see on the road.
My very rare sightings of a standard X1/9 are enough to make me smile. One of these might be too much.
Many people here in the UK put various different (and more gutsy) Fiat Group engines and transmissions into these things.
Thanks for an interesting video about one of the unicorns from Fiat. I would never, ever want one... But it is good to know that or existed.
I heard of a US outifit swapping Honda K20 engines into X1/9s… Which sounds like great fun 👍
What another spectacular Abarth. Sadly it seems a stillborn dream. Brief Internet research seems to show one of the Prototypes did end up with Albert Cosentino's FAZA workshop and on his passing alot of his collection went to Australia. How does the Group 5 Dallara car overlap if at all with this car? Although the Dallara car seems to be designed for race tracks and this version in the video a rally weapon. Fascinating stuff all the same. Thanks once again Matteo!
Yes, the lone road car prototype indeed is in Australia. The Dallara X1/9 is an unrelated project, and it was indeed designed for track use. I’d really like to make a video about that one as well, but that’ll have to wait until I film one
@@Matteo_Licata we will be waiting then for the chance for you to visit Dallara 😁
Great car and an interesting video. Thank you.
Subscribed instantly.
Thank you very much, I hope to be able to upload a new video very soon!
Always liked the X1/9.
Great video again, Matteo!
Funny coincidence:
Twin-cam channel on YT had the X1/9 featured about 2 weeks ago. You should check it out, of you not already have.
Thank you! Yes, I’m aware of that, and that partly inspired me for doing this video :)
What is the link
@@aldostefanini1392
I don’t know how to link on the YT-app. But searce «twin cam fiat x1/9», and you will find it
I always thought the fiat twin cam would've made the x19 an absolute beast!!
One of too much " What would have been, if..." in the history of Fiat ,Lancia and Alfa Romeo ( for example Sprint 6C..).
Fine video again ,Matteo. Thx
Well said! Thank you!
Oh, how I every time enjoy your videos, Matteo.
They bring back memories and refresh and add to what I still knew.
Keep on doing the good work!
Wow, thank you! Glad you keep enjoying my work!
Great story once again!
Very informative and beautifully made!
Wow, thank you!!!
We always luv your videos Sir. Thank you!
Thank you!!!
Fascinating Matteo ...excellent story as always ...
The early small bumper X1/9s are just so pretty ...
Look forward to your story of the fabulous 131 Abarth ...
Thank you! I’d love to cover the 131, but that will have to wait until I manage to film one…
Very informative and fascinating video. 750kg? No wonder it was fast! 🍺
Thank you!!
Standard 1300 on the license disc it ways 780kg on mine. Just goes to show you they didn't even need to reduce and cut out any panels
The X1/9 as a rally car would have been a class winner, but not outright wins.
Sales would have increased, but to the extent of covering development and on event running costs? We shall never know.
Grazia questo video 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 VIVA ITALIA
Thank you!!!
Very informative video. I really like the look of the front end of the prototype. To me it looks way more aggressive than the regular X-1/9. Fiat made the right call with the cancelation of the prototype. Thank-you again.
Yes, the fixed-headlight arrangement looked badass. But it could never be implemented on the regular production models, as it fell foul of US height requirements
Could it have competed with the Stratos? We could only wonder…
It sure had the potential.
Thanks for the great content, once again!
Thank you, glad you liked it!
Oh, I loved this! Especially the periscopo! I wondered what the hell it was at first. I very nearly bought an X19 before buying my South .African Alfasud. But I didn’t fit! I’ve since discovered you can have seat runners modified. One of my favourite CZcams clips is X19 Chases Ferrari. The sound of the Lampredi engine 😀
A SA Alfasud is an interesting car too, by the way. Can you please tell me more about its specs? I’m curious!
@@Matteo_Licata I think the best way is if I send you some pictures of the car somehow, maybe via e mail. In a nutshell, mine is one of the very last made in 1984. Not sure what date as records don’t exist. So, it’s a S3, but has the earlier 4 bolt front discs. Series 1 or 2 suspension as well. Thicker anti roll bar from earlier cars. And the best bit. Early gearbox with no overdrive. So it absolutely flies! I am happy to do an e mail with pictures that show the detail differences 😀
Yes, thank you! My e-mail is info@roadster-life.com
I’ve discovered the world of South African Alfas during research for my Giulietta book, and I’ve been intrigued by them ever since. Many unique mixes of body and trim, with interesting features.
Another great episode! Can't wait the story of 131 mirafiory tho!
Me too :)
As soon as I'll film one, it'll happen!
@@Matteo_Licata Great! Can't wait.
This is really interesting. I vaguely remember the periscope car.
Hm, take a FIAT Punto 1.6 4 valve engine and gearbox, and fit that in the X1/9...
Can you explain the X1/9 type name, and for that matter the X1/20 which was the name that car was going to be called if it was marketed as a FIAT, but it became the Lancia Monte Carlo.
Oh, yes, before I forget, do a series on that car and how it became the 037 rally car and homologation special.
Glad you enjoyed it :)
Here’s a video I made about the Montecarlo: Montecarlo - Scorpion: The Story Of The Lancia That Almost Never Was
czcams.com/video/doplWtMgVDY/video.html
@@Matteo_Licata thanks, I enjoyed that.
I note that the FIAT Abarth X1/9 was cancelled because of the Stratos, and its big brother the X1/20 aka MonteCarlo in Abarth 037 form became the Stratos' successor.
I always looked at the X1/9 and thought it like a baby Stratos . Although I must admit I sometimes cringe when people say , “oh it’s like a baby Ferrari “ or words to that effect when talking about little Fiats and Alfas , so I guess I’m being a little hypocritical 😂 having said that, the X1/9 Abarth appears to have been a superior car in many ways to the Stratos . Such a shame it’s full potential wasn’t realised . Great video Matteo, I really enjoy learning about these lost treasures
It’s similar to the “just like a 911” expression used for anything else that was rear-engined 😆.
Thank you for your appreciation!
What killed the Abarth X1-9 basically was marketing
this thing creamed the field it was unstoppable
and I’m sure the marketing directors all sat down and said this is not the model we want to sell
Win on Sunday sell on Monday
and the X1-9 was a good race car but had no potential in sales compared to other models
it’s a simple as that……
Indeed. Fiat had no interest in racing a car so far removed from its “bread and butter” products.
Last time I said: The purer the better about the Stratos and the Countach. This is yet another perfect example. It's UUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGLLLLLLLLLLLLLYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY! :-)
The prettiest race car is the one that wins the race… Aesthetics don’t affect the stopwatch :)
Grazia Dio i have one. Only difference is myne is getting in a Mazda 13B rotary engine in
That’s a very cool project 👍
Another great video, Matteo! I have a 1978 Serie Speciale in Tasmania, Australia, and am a member of the X1/9 Australia FB page. Did you know that the genuine stradale X1/9 is in Australia? It’s currently for sale but I hope it remains in my country.
Cool! Yes, I know the one and only “stradale” is in Australia. The dealer which had it now lists as “sold,” by the way. It’s in great condition too! I wonder where it’ll go now…
@@Matteo_LicataI worked for the dealership while it was for sale and I got to drive it (although only very briefly during a showroom change!).
The Prototipo as we referred to it at the time, would always steal the attention of everyone who visited, with it's gorgeous paintwork and the periscope. I always had a theory that it's design was inspired by the scorpion's tail from the Abarth logo. 🧡
"periscopio" a Greek word "περισκόπιο", means look intensely/carefully around
The FIAT 126 ABARH codice SE 028 and AB.1C.1 was standing next to this X1/9 at the show?
We would like to see what happened with these two 126 prototipo's. Thank you.
I'll see what I can do regarding those 126 prototypes, thank you!
A real pity, as it would certainly have helped sell more X1/9’s….but yes the 131 Mirafori was a new family sized model…
Marketing potential? I think the Stratos is one of the most iconic cars ever built, but... of the two, which would have greater market potential - the Stratos, or a high-performance X1/9?
When I lived in California in the mid 70s, I saw exactly one Stratos Stradale in the flesh, but the local Fiat dealer was selling dozens of X1/9s a week.
Fiat didn't think a 200HP, or even a 'streetafied' 150HP X1/9 would sell? Talk about myopic.
😍😍😍
Just came back from my ride in the Ducati Monster
I never even knew this existed, and that's saying something. On another note have you done the Fiat 128 yet?
I haven’t done the 128 yet, but I hope I will soon: it depends on whether I can find one to film
Not an 850 but a beautiful example of car design from when FIAT was still FIAT and not a company just banging out FIAT 500 variations
It’s been recently announced that Fiat will have a proper range again over the following years, at long last!
@@Matteo_Licata good news !
What would have been the best approach for Fiat to improve the performance of the X1/9 to create a production 100-120 hp range-topper above the 75-85 hp 1500 as opposed to the rally-focused Abarth X1/9 prototipo?
Well, it could have installed the 105 HP engine from the Ritmo Abarth 105 TC… But Fiat was never really that interested in pushing X1/9 sales, it was considered a trivial, inconsequential model by the Turin management
@@Matteo_Licata Thought there were some installation challenges in fitting the Ritmo Abarth 105 TC spec engine into a X1/9? If it was viable (as was said to be the case in fitting the 1.6 to 128s in Argentina), at least it would have theoretically opened the door to the Delta 1.6 HF Turbo engine to help the X1/9 keep pace with the Toyota MR2.
People have been stuffing all sorts of powerplants into X1/9s over the years, but space is indeed limited. To give you an idea, the X1/9 Abarth in the video has a 2L Abarth twin cam with big carbs… But that required the relocation of the fuel tank and the spare wheel. So I don’t know whether the Ritmo’s 1.6 105 hp engine could have fitted without modification to the car or the engine itself.
@@Matteo_Licata Without resorting to some form of 1.3-1.4 Uno Turbo spec engine, Fiat could have enlarged the lighter 1500 unit to 1600 (reaching 100 hp with some light tuning) at minimum, which should be easier to install into a X1/9 compared to a 105 hp 1.6 Ritmo engine. If not ideally uprate either 1500 or early 1600 to an earlier 16-valve Twin-Cam "Torque" unit for around 100 hp with potential for up to 115+ hp (the latter is from reducing 132 hp 1839cc Torque unit to 1596cc).
Fiat had their reasons in waiting until the late-80s before uprating the 1500 to 1600cc in the Tipo/Tempra, yet would argue it held back the X1/9 as well as to an extent the 127, Uno and (apart from efforts by Giannini and maybe IAVA) the 128.
The xi9 should have had the 2l engine,
Does Fiat’s name X1/9 have any significance? X for experimental?
It was the car’s project code during development, which was then maintained as a commercial name.
The Lancia Montecarlo for examples started its life as the Fiat X1/20 during development before Fiat decided to give away the entire programme to Lancia.
The original Toyota MR2
Indeed!
The original Lotus Elise!