Description
Author: Phil Ward, Softbound, 128 Pages, ISBN: 9781899870516, This edition first published in 2000
The Fiat X1/9 justifiably takes its place among the most stylish of Italian car designs and is a perpetual testimony to the brilliance of Nuccio Bertone. Really good designs have an enduring quality that remains acceptable over an extended period of time. The X1/9 is such a car, still appearing to be refreshingly modern and individual, even though it was created over 20 years ago.
Eminently collectable, the X1/9 is also a very usable and practical classic car for everyday transport. It is not necessarily a financial investment, because small cars historically fail to attract the elevated prices of the high-powered exotica. More importantly, though, the X1/9 represents at the time of writing the only affordable, economical proposition currently available for the young Italian car enthusiastlooking for his first sportscar. The alternative soft-tops, like the Alfa Romeo Spider and left-hand-drive Fiat 124, are both more expensive to buy and harder to insure.
There is a strong international following for the X119, and the potential owner would be recommended to seek a wellcared-for example through one of the various specialist clubs. However, almost five years after the last X1/9 came off the production line, pristine low-mileage examples are still generally obtainable. The opportunity to buy a reasonably priced mini-exotic, before environmental sensibility removes all the 'fun cars' from the roads, is hard to resist.
April 1994 Phil Ward
Acknowledgements
I would like to express my appreciation to everyone who has contributed to this book, in particular so many members of the X1/9 Owners Club and the Fiat Motor Club (GB), but especially: Gerry Brown, Peter Collins, Guy Croft, David Farrar, John Gaisford, Graham Gauld, Chris and Mary Harvey, Geoff Oliver and Paul de Tunis.
Martin Holmes provided the Abarth Rallye photographs and Peter Collins the Radbourne racecar. Michael Ward was responsible for additional photography and graphics. Finally, special thanks to my wife Josie, for her enthusiastic support and surprising loyalty.
