The nowadays clumsy looking FIAT 850 was to be replaced.

The FIAT 128 should have been the base for the new spider.

The later FIAT X1/9 clearly is the offspring of the Runabout.

Facts on the Bertone Runabout:

• Like a speed-boat, the Runabout doesn't have a hand brake, license plates or mirrors, but a magnetic compass.
• It is 3,45 m long, the front wheels are 1,283 m, the back wheels 1,446 m apart.
• It is said that the body was shaped within two days after FIAT hadn't been content with the former one.
• The Runabout, despite of not having speedometer and the items mentioned above, is fully functional, but not very comfortable. Lacking doors, the travellers have to climb inside, and at higher speed a helmet is needed, for the windshield is so low.

• The Fiat Bertone X1/9 Story - a much more complete story about the creation of the X1/9
• Matthew's Bertone X1/9 Linkpage - Collection of further links to the FIAT / Bertone X1/9
• X1/9 Owners' Club Britain - Good homepage featuring a X1/9 of the month
• Tobias Berger - My own homepage in German

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