Fiat X1/9 Bubble-Back

The Fiat X1/9 Bubble-Back was a restyling of the Fiat X1/9 which was proposed in the mid 1980s by a team of Fiat technicians who continued to collaborate with Bertone. It had to be aimed at the young segment, at a more accessible price, with a more modern line or in any case closer to their trends and that had a little more space available for any luggage. The engine was also highly appreciated and gritty, although smaller than that of the Ritmo 85. However, the idea was rejected by Bertone because it was now believed that the X1/9 would soon be out of production and therefore nothing more was done. ; it remained in some corner of the Bertone Style Center for some time and was later subsequently demolished. The project tended to recover space on the X without upsetting it too much. It was chosen to mount the engine of the A112 Abarth 70 hp 1,050 cc. Smaller, it made it possible to eliminate the side cooling slits, you could also use the space on the engine and reduce the size of the radiator. The space occupied by the new smaller radiator made it possible to house the battery next to it and above the spare wheel (alloy rims), allowing the roof to be positioned again. The suitably modified tank was positioned behind the passenger seat. The result was a bench with a convenient door for objects behind the driver’s seat. The most striking modification was a large thermoformed Plexiglas door that covered the entire rear part. A steel cover was placed on the engine and an extensible curtain was applied on the tail box, thus giving a further possibility of placing objects of longer dimensions. The bumpers in Ritmo-style plastic material enclosed the front lights; circles covered with the cups of Regatta R13.