Fiat

The Fiat X1/9 was introduced shortly after the November 1972 Turin Motor Show, having been deliberately held back so as not to overshadow the launch of the new Fiat 126 at the same event. It was a compact sports car with a mid-engine layout, built by Bertone and intended as the successor to the Fiat 850 Spider. The X1/9 was an evolution of the Autobianchi A112 Runabout concept car, originally unveiled in 1969. That striking prototype had been designed by Marcello Gandini, then chief designer at Bertone. The X1/9’s engine was developed by Aurelio Lampredi, who had previously made his mark designing engines for Ferrari.