Uploaded May 2023 | Updated September 2026, 1 day ago
As you will probably know, the X1/9 moniker originated as the car's project code. Still, if you've ever wondered how that came to be and why, here's the story. Aiming to bring some order into the growing number of models and designs, Fiat's legendary technical director Dante Giacosa established in 1946 a simple three-digit numbering system, the first of which was to be 1 for passenger cars, 2 for light commercial vehicles, 3 for buses, and so on.
Over the following years, knowledge of such numbers remained confined within the company's walls until the launch of the 124 in the spring of 1966.
The model was the first Fiat whose project number became a commercial name, a practice the Italian company would follow for over a decade.
One unintended consequence of that decision was that once skilled motoring journalists got wind of one or more project numbers, they could easily second-guess what was going on at Fiat, much to Giacosa's displeasure... #fiat124 #fiat #classiccars #history
My articles on Medium: roadsterlifeweb.medium.com/membership
My automotive books:
Lancia Gamma Berlina & Coupé 1976 - 1984
ENGLISH: amazon.com/dp/B09TN45L8Q
ITALIAN: https://www.amazon.it/dp/B09YVJRKH6
Six Appeal - The Story Of The Alfa 6
amazon.com/dp/1793931046
Alfa Romeo Alfa 6 - La Storia 1979-1987 (ITALIAN)
https://www.amazon.it/dp/B0BHT3PCC7
Alfa Romeo Giulietta - The Story 1977 - 1985
ENGLISH: amazon.com/dp/1983393746
ITALIAN: https://www.amazon.it/dp/B098GVJ7RK
Alfa Romeo Arna - The Full Story 1980 - 1987 amazon.com/dp/1656632500
As you will probably know, the X1/9 moniker originated as the car's project code. Still, if you've ever wondered how that came to be and why, here's the story. Aiming to bring some order into the growing number of models and designs, Fiat's legendary technical director Dante Giacosa established in 1946 a simple three-digit numbering system, the first of which was to be 1 for passenger cars, 2 for light commercial vehicles, 3 for buses, and so on.
Over the following years, knowledge of such numbers remained confined within the company's walls until the launch of the 124 in the spring of 1966.
The model was the first Fiat whose project number became a commercial name, a practice the Italian company would follow for over a decade.
One unintended consequence of that decision was that once skilled motoring journalists got wind of one or more project numbers, they could easily second-guess what was going on at Fiat, much to Giacosa's displeasure... #fiat124 #fiat #classiccars #history
My articles on Medium: roadsterlifeweb.medium.com/membership
My automotive books:
Lancia Gamma Berlina & Coupé 1976 - 1984
ENGLISH: amazon.com/dp/B09TN45L8Q
ITALIAN: https://www.amazon.it/dp/B09YVJRKH6
Six Appeal - The Story Of The Alfa 6
amazon.com/dp/1793931046
Alfa Romeo Alfa 6 - La Storia 1979-1987 (ITALIAN)
https://www.amazon.it/dp/B0BHT3PCC7
Alfa Romeo Giulietta - The Story 1977 - 1985
ENGLISH: amazon.com/dp/1983393746
ITALIAN: https://www.amazon.it/dp/B098GVJ7RK
Alfa Romeo Arna - The Full Story 1980 - 1987 amazon.com/dp/1656632500
