1985 Bertone X1/9 VSS Corsa Flaminia prototipo

1985 Other Makes X1/9 vs Description

THIS VERY SPECIAL BERTONE X1/9 VS-S CORSA FLAMINIA PROTOTIPO WAS LIKELY THE MOST HIGHLY OPTIONED, MOST UNIQUE AND MOST EXPENSIVE BERTONE X1/9 STREET CAR TO EVER LEAVE CARROZERRIA (CARROW- ZHAHRREA). THIS X1/9 HAS APPROXIMATELY 5000 MI. ON IT AFTER ITS COMPLETE MECHANICAL AND COSMETICRESTORATION. BELOW IS ITS STORYANDDESCRIPTIVE DETAILS FOR THOSE WANTING TO KNOW.I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR FOR ALMOST TWENTY YEARS AS EVIDENCED BY THE DATE ON THE ORIGINALTITLE TRANSFER.I SHOULD NOT NEED TO INFORM ANYONE THAT COMPLETE FUNCTIONAL AND RUST FREE EXAMPLES OF THE BERTONE X1/9 (1983-1988) ARE RARE ENOUGH TODAY, BUT THIS PARTICULAR CAR IS AN OUTSTANDING RARITY, NOT BECAUSEI OWN IT, RATHER TO THE EXTENT THAT IT WAS EQUIPPED INITIALLY WITH THE AUTHORIZEDLIMITED AVAILABILITYPARTS AS WELL AS TO THE EXTENT IT HAS BEEN PRESERVED, MAINTAINED/RESTORED. BEING ONE OF THE FINEST AVAILABLEIS ALSOTHE ONLYONE OF IT'S TYPE AVAILABLE. IT IS BEING SOLD BECAUSE I NEED GARAGE SPACE FOR ANYNEW PROJECTS. AS A FACTORY TRAINED BERTONE TECHNICIAN THERE IS NOTHING MOREI CAN REPLACEOR DO TO MAKE THIS CAR BETTER MECHANICALLY. IT HAS BEEN FULLY SORTED AS DESCRIBED IN MORE DETAILBELOW. ​ FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE SO INTERESTED/ INCLINED TO SEE EXCERPTS OF THE MOVIE THIS VEHICLE WAS IN, DRIVING (originally made for my entertainment/ distribution, but applicable here) AS BASICALLY AN IN DEPTH VIRTUAL WALK-AROUND (with engine audio). PLEASE JUST CLICK ON THE RED ARROW WHERE YOU SEE YELLOW JACKETWITHIN THE PICTOGRAM AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS TEXT TO SEE A MOST REVELLATORY VIDEO. IF YOU LIKE ONCE YOU HAVE CLICKED ON THE VIDEO ARROW AND THE VIDEO BEGINSDIRECT THE CURSOR TO THE LOWER RIGHT CORNER OF THE WINDOW THEN YOU WILL SEE A RED YOUTUBE LINKTHAT WILL TAKE YOU TO YOUTUBE AND ONCE YOU ARE IN YOUTUBE THENMOVE THE CURSOR TO THE RECTANGLE, WITHOUT CLICKING YOU SHOULD SEE THEATER MODE FROM THE SMALLRECTANGLE, IF YOU CLICKTHAT RECTANGLE (possibly twice)YOU WILL BE DIRECTED TO THE FULL SCREEN MODE VERSION (depending upon the size of your screen) WHICH WILL BRING UP A MUCH BETTER FULL SCREEN VERSION.IF YOU HAVE A SMART TELEVISION WITH SURROUND SOUND CONNECTED TO THE INTERNET YOU CAN VIEW THIS IN WIDE SCREEN HD AS WELLWITH SURROUND SOUND (full volume)WHICH IS HOW I DESIGNED THIS VIDEO TO BE VIEWED! APPARENTLY A LOT OF YOU ARE WATCHING THE VIDEO, SO IF YOU LIKE IT AND WANT TO SEE ANOTHER VERSION (pertaining to onlythe ending) I HAVE JUST MADE "bertone corsa vss flaminia" ON YOUTUBE PUBLIC, AND IT CAN BE VIEWED THERE. AGAIN THE ENDING IS DIFFERENT AND IS MY FAVORITE AT LEAST, HOPEFULLY YOU WILL LIKE IT AS WELL. X= ENGINE DESIGN 1= PASSENGER VEHICLE 9= NINTH PASSENGER CAR TYPE DEVISED IN SEQUENCE PARADIGM TERMS:THIS VEHICLE IS BEING OFFERED LOCALLY FOR THE LAST TIME THIS SEASONAND IS SUBJECT TO SALE AT ANY TIME AND THE AUCTION WILL BE SUSPENDED IN SUCH EVENT IF THERE ARE NO BIDS. INTERESTING PROJECT TRADE IN'S CONSIDERED (cars,barret etc. motorcycles notnice enough to requireinsideauto space storage please call 541-301-1185). In such event a buy it now is possible).WITH OFFERS, PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THATI COULD PART THIS CAR OUT FOR 10K (but I will not be doing that),AND STILL HAVE A RUST FREE SHELL!A $500.00 DEPOSIT IS REQUIRED 24HRS AFTER AUCTION CLOSE AND FULL REMAINDER TO BE PAID WITHIN 7 DAYS CASH OR LOCAL BANK INSTRUMENTTRANSFER (weekday). INSPECTIONS WELCOME! DELIVERY TO YOUR DOOR ALSO POSSIBLE. "VS": PERTAINS TO X1/9 CARS EQUIPPED WITH AIR CONDITIONING, LEATHER INTERIORS (SEATING, DOOR PANELS, STEERING WHEEL, ON THIS CAR STANDARD TYPE SHIFTER KNOB LEATHER WRAPPED, SHIFTER BOOT AND EMERGENCY BRAKE LEVER, WHITE INSULATED HEADLINER(sound) IN HARDTOP, AS FAR ASI KNOW AT THIS TIME THE WORLDS FIRST SMART RELAY, IE. COURTESY DOOR LIGHT DELAY RELAY,I.E. WHENEITHER CAR DOOR IS OPEN AND REMAINS (leave the car door open)OPEN IT WILL SHUT OFF CURRENT AFTER ABOUT 60 SECONDS WHETHER THE DOOR IS CLOSED OR NOT, SO AS NOT TO RUN DOWN THE BATTERY,WORKS OFF THE DOOR SWITCH AS WELL,AND HAS A MANUAL BYPASS SWITCH THAT ENABLES DRIVER TO SWITCH THE LIGHTS ON AND OFF AT WILL. REAR DEFROST, AND BY DEFAULT BY THIS TIME POWER WINDOWS.DELUXE TRUNK UPOLSTERY (more piecesof the material giving the trunk a much more finished appearance)THIS CAR COMES WITH an N.O.S. (later style) O.E. BERTONE LEATHER EMBOSSED SHIFT KNOB, AND THE ORIGINAL STYLED WORN LEATHER WRAPPED KNOB. 3 GAS CAPS A LOCKING CAP,CHROME DESIGNERVANITY CAP,AND A THROW AWAY CAP, TWO HARD TOPS INCLUDING THEORIGINAL WITH ANICE WHITEHEADLINERAND THE SMOKED POLYCARBONATE PANARAMIC SARATOGA TOP SEEN IN THE VIDEO. THE DOORS HAVE TO BE LOCKED WITH A KEY FROM THE OUTSIDE. "S": REFERS TO AN OBSCURE EXTRA COST OPTION PACKAGE THAT WAS PROMULGATED BY THE HEAD OF IAI AT THE TIME MALCOLM BRICKLIN IN AN EFFORT TO PROMOTE SALES OF THE CORSA PACKAGE & GROUP B CAR DALLARA/GROUP-5 LOOK, BUT WAS AVAILABLE OVER THE COUNTER FOR ANY X1/9 CAR THAT LOWERED IT APPROX. 20MM. FOR PROMOTIONAL PURPOSES WITH THIS VEHICLE AND THE CORSA PACKAGE COMBINED WITH THE "S" PACKAGE CONSISTED OF STRUTS LOWERING THE CAR THE 20MM, AND THE DISTINCTIVE BADGING SEEN (that apparently did not make it into production/cost), DUAL EXHAUST, DUAL EXHAUST CUT OUTS IN THE REAR CORSA VALENCE PANEL (atypical), CORSA (package) THE "CORSA PACKAGES" (there were several depending upon the year/maker, this one being one of if not the most coveted) WHICH HAD TO TYPICALLY BE MARKETED OVER THE COUNTER THROUGH THE DEALER NETWORKS. THIS INCLUDED THE FRONT AND REAR VALENCE PANELS, AND ON THIS VERSION THE TESTAROSSA STYLE ROCKER TRIM SIDE PANELS, CARELLO FOG LIGHTS FOR ABOUT $1400.00 ( in 1985 dollars, installation and painting NOT included).THE PARTICULAR HANDMADEFOIL ON THIS CAR WAS ANADDITIONAL COST OPTION INTEGRATED INTO THE PROMOTION OF THE PACKAGE AND WAS ABOUT $750.00 ACCORDING TO PAUL FOR WHO (will be relevant later) WORKED AT THE DEALERSHIP UNTIL IT CLOSED. FLAMINIA: THIS PERTAINED TO THE COLORFUL RAINBOW/PRISM INSPIRED INTERIOR DESIGNED WITH THE COLORS IN MIND OF THE ORDERING DEALER'S FIANC'E BY DONNATELLA GAMBONDINI.THE HIDES THAT WERE USED BY BERTONE NEVER WERE FLAWLESS, HAVE FLAWS ENDEMIC TO THE PHYSICAL NATURE OF THE LEATHERS USED BUT ARE PRESENTABLE/ SERVICEABLE. NEW BERTONE SEATCOVERS ARE AVAILABLE IN WHITE AND BLACK AND POSSIBLY RED FOR ABOUT $850.00. NEW ZEALAND SHEEPSWOOL COVERS WERE BOUGHT FOR THIS CAR BUT WERE NEVER INSTALLED WHICH ARE AN OPTION FOR SOME WHILE (THE SEASON) DRIVING. "PROTOTIPO": THIS CAR WAS MANUFACTURED 6-84 AND WAS SENT TO THE SALON DE L' AUTOMOBILE IN FRANCE AS A BUSINESS MARKETING MULE FOR THE BERTONE 1985 MODEL YEAR THEN SHIPPED BACK TO THE STATES TO MY BOSS'S DEALERSHIP. WITH IT'S RUST FREE BODY WAS RESTORED TO BE SELECTIVELY DRIVEN AND SHOWN WITH EMPHASIS ON IT'S ORIGINAL FORM.. THE FACT THAT YOU MAY NOT HAVE SEEN THIS CAR IS UNDERSTANDEABLE, AS LONG AS I HAVE OWNED IT, IT WAS DRIVEN MOSTLY ON PRIVATE TRACKS AND PROPERTY NEVER DISPLAYED, SHOWN OR DRIVEN ANYWHERE RESEMBLING A PARKING LOT. THERE WERE ONLY TWO MADE EXACTLY AS YOU SEE THIS ONE MADE BOTH BY THE SAME MAN, AND FOR THE PASSION FOR WOMEN. THE OTHER CAR JUST LIKE IT (made for the painters wife Donnatella Gambondini) WAS NOT DRIVING AROUND GRUGLIASCOFOR LONG BEFORE IT WAS DESTROYED IN A SHOP FIRE AT NIGHT. HOW DO I KNOW THESE FACTS? FACT IS I AM MERELY A WRITER BEING PAID TO WRITE THIS AD. THE PERSON WHO HIRED ME AND DICTATED THE SENTIMENTS/FACTS WAS/IS A FACTORY TRAINED TECHNICIAN (along with his high school friend Paul ) FOR THE FIAT/BERTONE DEALER WHO ORDERED THIS CAR FOR HIS GIRLFRIEND /FIANCE, AND WHO IS THE CURRENT OWNER THAT WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF ALL THE BERTONE SAGA AT THE TIME WHILE NOT ACTUALLY BEING AWARE THIS CAR EXISTED AT THE TIME BECAUSE HE HAD LEFT THE DEALERSHIP IN 85 TO WORK FOR VOLVO. ANY REFERENCE HERE-IN TO I, HE, MY,HIM OR WE WILL PERTAIN TO THE OWNER. REGARDLESS AS TO WHO ACTUALLY MANUFACTURED THIS CORSA PACKAGE, IT WAS PENNED BY MARCELLO GHANDINI AND FACTORY INSTALLED AT THE LINGOTTO FACILITY AS EVIDENCED BY FOUR FACTS. 1). INSIDE KNOWLEDGE OF THE BUILD 2). FACTORY UNDERCOATING FOUND IN OBSCURE PLACE OF REAR VALENCE ON TOP OF ORIGINAL ROSSO RED PAINT (NO.3) SMALL HEAD DIAMETER COPPER RIVETS USED ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY BY ITALIAN AUTO MANUFACTURERS IN THE REGIONDURING THE PERIOD OF TIME THIS CAR WAS MADE (very atypical to find rivets of this type in the U.S. at this time). BERTOLUCCE GAMBONDINI (BG) ALSO USED THEM IN GRUGLIASCO (TURIN) FOR THE INITIAL CUSTOM PAINT AS WELL. UPON RESTORATION IN THE U.S. LARGER HEAD STEEL AND ALUMINUM RIVETS WITH WASHERS WERE USED WHERE NECESSARY. 4) HAS AN ORIGINAL ITALIAN FOG LIGHT RELAY THAT WERE NOT USUALLY SUPPLIED WITH THE KITS FOR THE U.S. AS THE VARIOUS KITS WERE OFTEN MADE IN OTHER COUNTRIES. THIS PARTICULAR CAR AND LIKELY ANY SIMILARLY OPTED/ EQUIPPED X1/9'S WERE THE MOST COPIED CARS OF THEIR TYPE OF THE ERA. FOR EG.,THE FIRST GENERATION TOYOTA MR2 1984-1989, PARTICULARLY A VERSION INTRODUCED WITH A PHOENIX (bird) ON IT PAINTED EXACTLY IN THE SAME PAINT SCHEME AS THIS CAR WITH TOYOTA'S VERSION OF THE CD-179 "TRON" style WHEELS (that originally came on this and all the 85 x1/9 cars) AS WELL AS TOYOTA'S (COPIED) VERSION OF THE BEAUTIFUL REAR FOIL ON THIS CAR. THE PONTIAC FIERO 1984 -88 WAS ALSO COPIED FROM THIS PARTICULAR CAR WITH THE HELP OF BERTONE (especially with the GT V6 car packages) (from its debut at the Salon De L' Automobile) IN FRANCE IN 1984 FOR THE 1985 MODEL YEAR. ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF A CAR THAT COPIED THE X1/9'S LINES WAS THE LOTUS ELAN 1989-1994. THE 3RD GENERATION MERCURY CAPRI'S WERE ALSO A KNOCK OFF OF THIS CAR. FOIL: (spoiler) THE REAR FOIL ON THIS X1/9 WAS AS MENTIONED A SPECIALLY MADE PROTOTYPE HEAVY FIBERGLASS (made to actually be an air foil) NOT JUST HOLLOW thin PLASTIC DECORATION. HISTORICITY- WISE IT IS INTERESTING TO NOTE THAT THIS FOIL WAS ONE OF THE MOST COPIED AESTHETICASPECTS BY OTHER MANUFACTURERS OF THIS CAR OTHER THANTHE CAR ITSELF'S SHAPE. THE PROBLEM WAS THAT IT WAS HEAVY ENOUGH THAT WHEN THE DECK LID WAS IN THE NORMAL OPEN POSITION THE PROP SPRING COULD NOT HOLD THE DECKLID OPEN AT THE TYPICAL ANGLE, SO THE APEX OF THE ATTACHMENT POINT FOR THE PROP SPRING HAD TO BE ELONGATED AT THE FACTORY IN ORDER FOR THE LID TO OPEN COMPLETELY VERTICALLY, AND REMAIN COMPLETLEY OPEN, ALSO GIVING IT A CHARACTERISTIC POPPING NOISE WHEN HOISTED TO ITS FULLY OPEN POSITION. I AM CONFIDENT THIS HIGHLY COLLECTIBLE VEHICLEAS IMPERFECT AS IT MAY BE IS THE FINEST, MOST RUST FREE AND MOST COMPLETE, UNBROKEN, UPDATED AND UNIQUE BERTONE X1/9 VS-S CORSA AVAILABLE TO PURCHASE IN THE WORLD TODAY. THIS CAR DOULD EASILY BE MADE PERFECT AS ALL THE HARD WORK HAS BEEN DONE. NO EFFFORT HAS BEEN MADE TO RESET THE ODOMETER COMMENSURATE TO MILEAGE IT NOW HAS AS EVERYTHING THAT CAN WEAR OR FAILHAS BEEN REPLACED WITH ORIGINAL AS WELL AS N.O.S. PARTS,INCLUDING CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS ETC.IF ANDWHERE NEEDED. I CONSERVATIVELY ESTIMATE IF INVESTMENT GRADE MAINTAINED VINTAGE ITALIAN CARS CONTINUE APPRECIATING THIS CAR SHOULD BE WORTH TWICE THE ASKING PRICE WITHIN TEN YEARS. THIS CAR HAS NEVER SEEN A CONCORSO ITALIANO, WHY NOT BE THE FIRST? IF YOU DON'T, I DECIDED TO IN 2017. THE DEALER I WORKED FOR HAD SOME FAMILIAL RELATIONSHIP WITH GIUSEPPE BERTONE (a.k.a. Nuccio) AND HE WAS ORIGINALLY FROM THE AREA IN ITALY AND HAD A PICTURE OF THEM BOTH ON HIS DESK SHAKING HANDS AND THEY BOTH SPOKE ITALIAN. I DID NOT PAY ATTENNTION TO WHO THE GUY WAS IN THE PHOTO FOR YEARS AFTER I HAD BEEN WORKING THERE EVEN THOUGH I HAD MET HIM IN ITALY WHEN I WAS INTRODUCED TO EVERYONE THERE INVOLVED IN MY EXPERIENCE. THE POINT IS IN 1985 GIUSEPPE BERTONE WAS NOT RUNNING THE MARKETING SHOW WITH BERTONE, BUT HE STILL HAD CONTROLS IN PLACE WITH PRODUCTION, I.E THE ASSEMBLY LINE AND THE CONNECTIONS WITH KEY WORKERS AS WELL AS OF COURSE MALCOLM BRICKLIN WHO WAS RUNNING U.S. MARKETING OPERATIONS WHO ALSO WAS OPEN TO ANY LAST MINUTE IDEAS THAT COULD BOLSTER SALES NUMBERS. PAUL REMAINED AT THE DEALERSHIP UNTIL IT CLOSED AND OVER A DECADE LATER HE TOLD ME THE STORY OF THE CAR AND HOW THE BOSS'S GIRLFRIEND DID NOT LIKE ANY OF THE COLORS OF THE CARS ON THE LOT AND SHE LIKED RED, THAT IS ANY SHADE OF RED OTHER THAN ROSSO RED THEY OFFERED. SO HE TOLD HER HE COULD HAVE ONE MADE FOR HER ANY COLOR SHE LIKED. SHE ALSO THOUGHT THE LEATHER SEATS WERE TOO HARD, SO LATER HE WOULD HAVE DONNATELLA GAMBONDINI (for who did the original interior) RE-UPHOLSTER THE DRIVERS SEATING SURFACE IN SUPER SOFT HIDES. HE ALSO HAD A BRIGHTER FOGLIGHT SPECIALLY MADE OUT OF OPTICAL GLASS FOR HER ON THE DRIVERS SIDE (which I still have) BUT IT WAS REMOVED for STOCK N.O.S. ORIGINAL CARELLOPAIR. WHEN THE CALLS WERE MADE BY THE RIGHT PEOPLE THIS CAR WAS SUDDENLY SLATED FOR (my boss at the time) DOMINICK MARELLO (DM), AS A DEAL WAS STRUCK THAT IF THE CAR COULD BE COMPLETED (in a little under 6 weeks) HE WOULD PAY FOR ALL THE EXTRAS (REMOVING/REINSTALLING MOST OF THE CORSA PACKAGE REPAINTING ($8000.00) THE CAR AS WELL AS PAY FOR THE TRANSPORTATION OF CAR TO BE SENT TO SALON DE L' AUTOMOBILE IN FRANCE IN 1984 AS A BUSINESS MARKETING TOOL/PROTOTYPEFOR THE 1985 YEAR THEN SHIPPED BACK TO THE US TO HIS DEALERSHIP. THE RUB: THE TRAGEDY LIED IN THAT DM HAD A MASSIVE HEART ATTACK BEFORE THE CAR WOULD ARRIVE SO HE WOULD NEVER SEE IT, AND THE ONCE THE WOMAN IT WAS ORDERED FOR FOUND OUT HE HAD DIED SHE NEVER CAME BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP TO CLAIM THE CAR SO WHOEVER HIS SUCCESSOR WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP EVENTUALLY SOLD THE CAR AS A NEW CAR IN MID 1986 FOR $24,000.00 ACCORDING THE California BUREAU OF REVENUE. THE TYPICAL OPTIONED NON- CORSA VS CAR STICKERED FOR AROUND $12,620 IN THIS YEAR. FOR BEING SOLD IN 1986 THE CAR HAD TO BE EQUIPPED WITH A CYCLOPEAN BRAKE LIGHT (an ugly square one on the deck lid under the foil covering the badge/emblem) DURING ITS RESTORATION I HAD THAT ONE REMOVED AND A CURVED INTEGRATED LED BRAKE LIGHT INSTALLED WITHIN THE FOIL. PAINT: COLOR: BLACK WITH A LIGHT RED PEARL, GRECIO METALLIC WITH RED PEARL JAM TINTING (all supported paint mix codes and with sprayable touch-up as well as extra vintage pinstriping included). THIS CORSA PACKAGE WAS INSTALLED AT LINGOTTO AND REMOVED AT THE LATE BERTOLUCCE GAMBONDINI'S (B.G) SHOP IN GRUGLIASCO. BG WAS ONE OF GIUSEPPE'S GO TO GUYS FOR COLLISION REPAIRS AND/OR CUSTOM PAINTING. (My boss told Paul that Nuccio told him this guy was an interior designer by trade early on who could not make a living at it and decided he liked working on cars and excelled at it after he took him under his wing). BG WAS TOLD WHAT COLORS TO PAINT THE CAR (black with red pearl and a form of grecio metallic with red), BUT HE WAS NOT CLEAR AS TO HOW TO LAY OUT THE COLOR DELINEATIONS, SO HE ASKED NUCCIO HOW THE COLORS SHOULD BE LAID OUT on the parts, AND NUCCIO SENT HIM TO NONE OTHER THAN MARCELLO GANDINI WHO PENNED THIS PACKAGE IN THE FIRST PLACE. AN IDEALIST IN FORM OVER FUNCTION HE GAVE HIM ONE OF HIS DRAWINGS THAT SHOWED HOW HE INTENDED THE CORSA PACKAGE TO LOOK/ COLORS TO BE LAID OUT, AS YOU CAN SEE the BEAUTIFUL FANTUZZI AND/OR BIZZARRINNI INSPRIED LINES, BUT NOT ALL THAT PRACTICAL FOR MOST PAINT SHOPS/ BUYERS. YEARS LATER, AFTER I HAD STUMBLED UPON THIS CAR (not looking for any more) IT WAS FLAT SUN BURN'T RED, (but it was an extra-ordinary rust free car then) COMING FROM A BRIEF SECOND OWNER (intermediary looking to flip the car) THAT WAS IN WAY OVER HIS HEAD. WITH ME THIS CAR HAD FOUND A NEW HOME. IN CELEBRATION I DROVE IT TO ARIZONA. I HAD TO GO TO OHIO WHERE I HAD A RESIDENCE, TRAILERED THE CAR THERE, REGISTERED IT, LEFT WITH IT THE NEXT DAY HEADED FOR OREGON. RELEVANCE: (this is why the car has an Ohio title). PAINT CONDITION: ​ CONDITION IS EXCELLENT, NO AGE RELATED ISSUES WHATSOVER WITH THE FINISH OR IT'S ABILTIY TO SHINE OR BE POLISHED, (I let my painter take his time buffing the car out, got around to it 10 years after it had been painted so the $400.00 a gallon clear was well set up LOL). HAS NEVER SPENT ONE ENTIRE DAY OUTSIDE UNCONVERED. HAS SOME MICRO CRACKS AROUND CORNERS OF FIBERGLASS WHICH CANNOT BE SEEN IN PHOTOS OR LOOKING AT THE CAR UNLESS YOU ARE LESS THAN A FOOT AWAY. THEY ARE NOT A DISTRACTION ARE NOT GOING ANYWHERE AND ARE INHERENT TO NORMAL SHRINKING AND EXPANSION OF THE MATERIAL WITH ALL FIBERGLASS PARTS MADE THE WAY THESE WERE . AS MENTIONED THERE IS SUFFICIENT SPRAYABLE TOUCH UP PAINTINCLUDED IF IT WERE TO BE NEEDED. IF YOU NOTICE WITHIN THE IMAGES THIS CAR COMES WITH A WELL USED CUSTOM MADE CAR COVER, IT IS COMPLETELY SERVICEABLE, AND IF THIS CAR SELLS I WILL HAVE NO USE FOR IT FOR MY OTHER CARS AS IT WAS DIMENSIONALLY CUSTOM MADE FOR THIS PARTICULAR CAR COVERING THE SIDES OF THE TIRES ETC.. AS FAR AS FROM A RESTORATION STANDPOINT, I OR PROBABLY ANY OTHER RESTORERWOULD HAVE CHARGED OVER $50,000.00 FOR THE ENTIRE PACKAGE (even a regular common car)TO RESTORE THIS CAR AS IT IS TO THIS LEVEL, WHICH IS WHY SO FEW HAVE BEEN OR WILL BE RESTORED BECAUSE IF YOU HAVE TO PAY SOMEONE TO RESTORE THEM IT RUNS INTO A LOT MORE THAN THE CAR IS WORTH.HOWEVER, IT WAS NOT COMPLETED FOR MONETARY GAIN AS IT WAS FORTHE LOVE OF PRESERVING THESE AUTOMOBILES. I NEVER INTENDED ON SELLING THIS CAR,ALTHOUGH I REALIZEI WILL NOT LIVE FOREVER AND CANNOT STORE THEM ALL INDEFINATELY, SO SOME OF THEM HAVE TO GO.THE CONNECTION: THE DEALERSHIP HAD FELT THEY NEEDED TO REMOVE THE COLORFUL INTERIOR IN ORDER TO SELL THE CAR (apparently ignoring the fact that it was one of the most expensive cars of its type to be sold/bound to take sometime), THEY DID SO AND PAUL WAS THE ONE WHO REMOVED IT, INSTALLED A STOCK BLACK VS LEATHER INTERIOR AND PLACED THE COLORFUL VS INTERIOR UP IN THE RAFTERS OF THE DEALERSHIP WHICH EVENTUALLY BECAME A SATURN DEALERSHIP. APPARENTLY THE FIRST THING THE NEW OWNER DID IS HAVE THE CAR RESPRAYED WITH RED LAQUER, (sloppily for car afficionado standards) BUT HE WAS APPARENTLY HAPPY WITH IT AND WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR I WAS ALSO GOING TO PROPERLY RESPRAY IT RED. HOWEVER,WHEN MY PAINTER STARTED TO WET SAND THE CAR HE SAW THE DISTINCTIVE PAINT UNDERNEATH AND CALLED ME TO COME AND LOOK AT IT. I HAD TO HAVE THAT PAINT JOB BACK ON THE CAR. MY $3000.00 FRIENDLY PAINT JOB SUDDENLY BECAME A $8500.00 (friend price) PAINT JOB (which was plenty for this time period). IT WAS AT THIS TIME I TOUCHED BASE WITH PAUL TOLD HIM WHAT I HAD AND THE CONNECTION WAS MADE, WITHOUT EVEN LOOKING I HAD FOUND THE CAR MY BOSS HAD SPECIAL ORDERED. PAUL ASKED ME ABOUT THE INTERIOR, I TOLD HIM IT WAS BLACK AND HE TOLD ME WHAT HE HAD DONE WITH THE ORIGINAL FLAMINIA INTERIOR. ALMOST 20 YEARS AFTER THE FACT I WENT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP BUILDING THAT WAS THEN A SATURN DEALER AND WAS ALLOWED ACCESS, FOUND THE INTERIOR RIGHT WHERE PAUL HAD LEFT IT STILL IN EXCELLENT CONDTION. COLORS VIVID, SOLVENT BASED DYES AS WELL AS HAD SOME WATER BASED DYE WORK DONE WITHIN THE LAST 5 YEARS. THIS CAR WAS DRIVEN, ENJOYED BY THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND WHILE THEY SPENT CONSIDERABLE MONEY ON WHEEL BEARINGS AND OTHER MAINTENANCE THEY FLAT OUT WORE OUT THE ENGINE, TRANSMISSION, WHEEL BEARINGS. IN CALIFORNIA AT LEAST AT THIS TIME ONE COULD NOT SELL A CAR IN STATE IF IT WOULD NOT PASS SMOG. THIS CAR FAILED TO PASS CA. SMOG TWICE I ASSERTIANED AND WAS DEEMED A GROSS POLLUTER. IN ORDER TO RECOVER ANY MONEY INVESTED THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD TO HAVE THE ENGINE REBUILT. INDICATIONS FROM THE ENGINE REBUILD WERE A FRESH LONG BLOCK PROCURED AND INSTALLED BY AL COSENTINO ORGANIZATION (around year 2000) POSSIBLY WITH SOME PORTING AND/OR A CAMSHAFT UPGRADE, AND THE GRAY BLOCK PAINT. THIS CAR PASSED SMOG AND WAS LICENSED IN CALIFORNIA WHEN I BOUGHT IT. PERFORMANCE: WHILE THERE ARE A LOT OF CARS OUT THERE WITH MORE POWER, WITH EVEN MORE GLITZ, BUT THEY JUST CANNOT DUPLICATE/ DELIVER THE UNIQUENESS OF THE PACKAGE EXPERIENCE OF A BERTONE X1/9. WELL BALANCED HANDLING AND DRIVER ROAD FEEL. SUSPENSION DAMPENING/RIDE,CAR'S REACTION TO DRIVER STEERING INPUT TO OUTPUT RATIO IS EXCELLENT. THESE CARS HAVE A PRECISE/ AND SMOOTH hydraulicCLUTCH RELEASE, WHICH IS NICE WHEN ONE IS DRIVING A STANDARD UP A GRADE IN SLOW TRAFFIC ETC. THIS CAR PRODUCES ABOUT A HUNDRED HORSEPOWER. IT IS FAST ENOUGH, AND AT 85 MILES AN HOUR (THE WAY IT LOOKS) WILL GARNER A TICKET JUST AS QUICKLY AS A BUGATTI VEYRON AND WHILE STILL GETTING THE LOOKS WILL SAVE ONE APPROXIMATELY $1,980,000.00.THESE CARS WERE NEVER INTENDED TO BESTOPLIGHT TO STOPLIGHTDRAG CARS, RATHER AN EXERCISE IN SUCCESSFUL/FEASIBLE, ECONOMICAL (to drive)MID ENGINE ENGINEERING AT AN AFFORDABLE COST. THESE CARS CAN BE MODIFIED IN ANY OF MANY WAYS IN ORDER TO MAKE THEM VERY FAST COMPETITIVELY OR FOR STREET USE even more fun.THIS X1/9 HAS NOT BEEN RACED. ALL ITALIAN SPORTS CARS OF THE PERIOD HAD THE DELIBERATE SYNCHRONIZER ENGAGEMENT FEEL TO THE MANUALTRANSMISSIONS. THEY DO NOT SHIFT LIKE A MIATA THESE CAR SHINE HARD AS A PRACTICAL SPORTS LUXURY (sporty ride but not jarring/sophisticated) TOURING CARS PASSING MANY FUEL STATIONS (32-38 MPG)IN COMFORT BY DESIGN (such as interior air extractors, (good ventillation) one can have the top off in the coldest conditions and the large heater core will keep the car INTERIOR comfortablywarm and the a/c cool inside). I PERSONALLY HAVE AND STILL DO DRIVE THEM CROSS COUNRTY ON OCCASION FOR ALMOST ANYTHING AS AN EXCUSE.AS FAR AS THE SOUND THE CAR MAKES; IT IS REFLECTED WITHIN THE VIDEO, THE OTHER SOUNDS ARE FROM ANOTHER CAR I HAVE. THIS CAR WOULD SOUND JUST LIKE THE OTHER EFFECTS IF THE CAR HAD NO MUFFLERS AND 8 MORE CYLINDERS, AND THE VIDEO WAS INTENDED FOR MY ENTERTAINMENT AND NOT A DOCUMENTARY. SERVICEABILITY: ONCE THE DECISION WAS MADE FOR THESE LATER X1/9 CARS TO BE EQUIPPED WITH BOSCH ELECTRONIC FUEL INJECTION,ELECTRONICS/ COMPONENTS (alternator/wiring)AND ACCOMPANYING MODULES, MONITORING AND METERING DEVICES (airflow meter/thermos time switch etc.)IT VASTLY BROUGHT THESE CARS WITHIN THE REALM OF 20TH CENTURY TECHNOLOGY (compared to marelli etc.)PRIOR TOOBD-I. WITH INDUSTRY STANDARD (at the time) AGC BLADE TYPE FUSES, STANDARDIZED RELAYS, AND THICK multiple strand100% COPPER WIRNING HARNESSES MADE THESE CARS MORE VENERABLE/ PRACTICAL THAN EARLIER COUNTERPARTS AND COMPARED TO TODAY'S INDUSTRY STANDARDHAIRSTRAND EXTREMELY THIN COPPER ALLOY WIRING OF SOME OF TODAYS TOP MANUFACTURER'S THAT ARE NOTHING BUT A NIGHTMARE FOR TECHNICIANS. X1/9 CARS ALSO HAD TWO AIR EXTRACTORS ON THE SIDES OF THE CAR, THE ONE ON THE RIGHT SIDE ORIGINALLY HAD A BLACK FLEXIBLE TUBE GOING TO THE BACK OF THE ALTERNATOR FACILITATING COOLING IT. THIS CAR STILL HAS THAT ORIGINAL HOSETHE OTHER SIDE GOES TO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. IN THE TRUNK YOU MAY NOTICEA MOTOR ON THE LEFT SIDE, THAT IS A THERMOSTATICALLY CONTROLLED COOLING FAN THAT WILL TURN ON WHEN THE ENGINE REACHES A CERTAIN TEMPERATURE IN ORDER TO PREVENT VAPOR LOCK SCENARIOS WHEN STARTING THE CAR WHEN IT IS HOT. WITH LATER X1/9 VERSIONS CAME MULTIPLE ACCESS PANELS FOUND WITHIN THE REAR TRUNK AND IN THE SPARE TIRE WELL ALLOWING ACCESS TO CRITICAL MAINTENANCE AREAS WHICH MADE SERVICING FAR MORE FEASIBLE/PRACTICAL. I WOULD RATHER SPEND 3 HOURS INSTALLING A CLUTCH IN AN X1/9 AS OPPOSED TO 11 HOURS IN A FORD FOCUS REMOVING THESUBFRAME ETC. OR REPLACING $1600.00 WORTH OF PERFECTLY GOOD STRUTS ON THE FRONT OF A 2000 MARCEDES S 430 BECAUSE OF A $20.00 BEARING THAT FAILS ON THE TOP OF THE STRUT ASSEMBLY ETC.. NOT JUST A PURCHASE RATHER AN INVESTMENT! CONDITION: A PROPER CAR THAT HAS BEEN WITHOUT FAIL FULLY MAINTAINED FULLY SORTED UPDATED (such as with the windows they do not require help going up, they move the way they were supposed to due to electrical engineer upgrade, top of the line (at the time) BLAUPUNKT SAN FRANCISO CD PLAYER WITH REMOTE HEARD WITHIN THE VIDEO WITH THE GUITAR DUO. SPEAKERS NOT PERMANENTLY MOUNTED BEHIND THE SEATS. THIS AUTOMOBILE HAS NOT BEEN RESTORED AS A POWDER COATED (plastic) CALIPER TRAILER QUEEN. WHILE IT AND MOST ANY OTHER CARS WORTH HAVING SHOULD NOT BE FOLLOWING GRAVEL TRUCKS OR SEMI'S ON THE FREEWAY, IT IS A PRACTICAL WEEKEND RIDE THAT CAN BE SELECTIVELY time of day/traffic) TAKEN ANYWHERE. THIS VEHICLE WITH ITS NOWRUST, CHIP AND DENT FREE BODY WAS RESTORED WITH EMPHASIS ON ITS ORIGINAL FORM (as it was orderd/ presented). ​ AS MENTIONEDTHIS CAR HAS APPROXIMATLEY 8046 KILOMETERS (5000 MI.) ON ITS DRIVETRAIN AND BODY RESTORATION. FULLY OPERATIONAL COSMETICALLY AND MECHANICALLY. READY FOR SERVICE CROSS COUNTRY. FOR FUN THE OWNER REBUILT THE ALTERNATOR BRUSH/REGULATOR PACK WITH BOSCH UNIT, FRONT AND REAR BEARINGS REPLACED, SLIP RING TURNED. REPLACED THE A/C WATERPUMP, TIMING BELT TENSIONER BEARING, FUEL INJECTORS, FUEL PUMP (bosch), BELTS, STARTER, THERMO TIME SWITCH, AIR VALVE, AIR FLOW METER, $1000.00 N.O.S. DASH. (ducts cleaned at the same time). N.O.S CARELLO FOG LAMPS, N.O.S. INTERIOR NUCCIOBERTONE BADGING. THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REFURBISHED WHERE NECESSARY CLUTCH COMPONENTS REPLACED. REVERSE IDLER AND SLIDER GEAR WERE REPLACED BY ME. THE EASY WAY TO PUT THESE AND MOST ITALIAN OR OTHER STANDARDS OF THE ERA IN REVERSE IS TO AT IDLE IN NEUTRAL, DEPRESS THE CLUTCH, PUT SHIFTER IN SECOND GEAR THEN REVERSE (to slow the DRIVEN MAIN shaft) AND IT SHOULD GO MOST EASILY INTO REVERSE WITHOUT ANY GRIND. IF 1ST WILL NOT ENGAGE, DO NOT FORCE OR FIGHT IT, SIMPLY LET THE CLUTCH OUT IN NEUTRAL AND DEPRESS CLUTCH AND TRY ENGAGEMENT AGAIN SHOULD GO RIGHT IN, BECOMES AUTOMATIC DONE! DOOR SILL RUBBER MOLDINGS REPLACED WITH N.O.S. ORIGINALS. SPECIAL HIGH END COCONUT HUSK WOVEN MATS ARE GUARANTEED BY THE MANUFACTURER DESIGNER MAT OF CHINO CA. FOR LIFE. GLASS:ALL THE GLASS IN THIS CAR IS ORIGINAL ST GOBAIN TINTED GLASS INCLUDING THE WINDSHIELD. ​ AaLLLLLLVLVLVKCJBKLDFNBKJDFDKJNFKJDJCFKJKCGSSSSSSSSSSSSSSDDSDDSDSTHIS VEHICLE HAS ALL ITS ORIGINAL ST. GOBAIN TINTED GLASS, INCLUDING THE WINDSHIELD. THE WIDSCREEN HAS HAD ONE STABILIZED CHIP IN IT FROM THE BEGINNING, AND WAS SAFELITE STABILIZED HAS NOT CHANGED THROUGHOUT (16 years). WHEELS: WHILE IAI WAS LOOKING FOR AN OPTIONAL WIDE WHEEL THEY COULD OFFER BUYERS TO BE USED TO HELP PROMOTE THE X1/9, CORSA "S" GROUB 5/ GROUP "B" LOOK AROUND 1987, THERE WERE NO FUNDS TO DEVELOP A 7" WIDE ALLOY WHEEL, ANYMORE THAN THEY HAD THE FUNDS TO UPGRADE THE DRIVETRAIN AT THIS TIME. SO ONE OF THEM CAME UP WITH THE IDEA TO USE AN UNDETERMINED AMOUNT OFTHE REMAINING STEEL RALLY WHEEL CENTER BLANKS. THESE WHEEL CENTER BLANKS WERE SENT TO THE U.S. TO BE ENGINEERED AND MODIFIED AT A FACILITY USING A JIG AND AT THE TIME CURRENT ABSENCE OF OXYGEN/AMBIENT AIR WELDING TECHNOLOGY, WELDED, BALANCED AND PAINTED COUPLED WITH SPECIAL CENTER CAPS AND TRIM RINGS AND SOLD AT BERTONE DEALERS FOR AROUND $700.00. BY ABOUT 1980 THE 5 " BASE VERSIONS OF THESE WHEELS WERE DONE ON THE X1/9. THE ONLY PLACE ONE WOULD SEE THEM WAS IN THE SPARE TIRE WELLS OF FIAT/ BERTONE X1/9 CARS. THESE EXTREMELY RARE VERSIONS OF THESE WHEELS WERE AVAILABLE FOR A SHORT TIME ONLY, FROM LATE 1986 TO THE END 1989 (which were actually left over 1988 cars). PAUL TOLD ME HE SAW ONLY THREE SETS SOLD AT THE DEALERSHIP. SAFETY: ARE THESE CARS SAFE? WELL AFTER THIS RUSSEL RACING SCHOOL GRADUATE HAS DRIVEN THE TWELVE CARS HE HAS HAD OVER THE LAST 40 YEARS OVER 500,000.00 MILES I CAN TELL YOU THAT I HAVE NEVER BEEN LEFT STRANDED BY ONE, BEEN REAR ENDED (walked away). THESE CARS ARE OPENLY OVERBUILT IN THIS RESPECT. HEAVIER THAN THEY COULD BE, AND WITHIN EACH DOOR THEY HAVE A STOUT 5/16" PIECE OF DOUBLE STEEL CHANNEL GOING THE INSIDE LENGTH OF THE DOORS FOR SIDE IMPACT PROTECTION. THE BUMPERS ARE MADE OF ANODIZED STRUCTURAL ALUMINUM AS ARE THEIR BRACKETS AND UNDER THE FRONT AND REAR BUMPERS ARE D.O.T. APPROVED GAS PRESSURIZED WAY-ASSAUTO ENERGY ABSORBING SHOCKS. THE FRONT TRUNK IS DESIGNED AS A STRUCTURAL CRUSH ZONE. THE REAR ENGINE AND DRIVETRAIN ARE DESIGNED TO DROP DOWN FROM THE REAR FIREWALL IN THE EVENT OF A REAR IMPACT PROTECTING PASSENGERS. THE TARGA BAR ROOF SECTION IS ACTUALLY DESIGNED AS A ROLL BAR (please see actual cutaway of project car within the video)WHICH WILL SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF THE CAR IN THE EVENT OF A TURNOVER. FROM WHERE THE GAS TANK IS ORIENTED IT IS FAIRLY WELL PROTECTED FROM FRONT, REAR AND SIDE IMPACTS AS A CAR THIS SIZE CAN BE BY DESIGN. ONE CANNOT LOCK THEIR KEYS IN A BERTONE X1/9 AS THE DOOR LOCKS ARE DESIGNED IN SUCH A WAY THAT THEY MUST BE LOCKED FROM THE OUTSIDE WITH A KEY. IF YOU LOCK THE DOORS FROM THE INSIDETHEY ARE AUTOMATICALLY UNLOCKED WHEN YOU OPEN THE DOOR. SALE: I AGAINWELCOME ANY BUYER, OR AGENT OF BUYER TO INSPECT THIS VEHICLE PRIOR TO SALE. THERE WILL BE A NON-REFUNDABLEE $500.00 DEPOSIT DUE VIA PAYPAL WITHIN THREE DAYS OF CLOSING SALE. THE REMAINDER TO BE PAID IN FULL WITHIN 7 DAYS PRIOR TO SHIPMENT, IN PERSON BY CASH, WIRE OR OTHER FORM ACCEPTABLE BY OWNER ON A BUSINESS DAY. ASK ANY QUESTIONS RELEVANT TO CONDITION BEFORE BIDDING. CAR IS SOLD AS IS IN GREAT RUNNING CONDITION AS DEPICTED. WHILE I CAN GUARANTEE THE MECHANICAL WORK THAT HAS BEEN PERFORMED BY ME AT MY SHOP (I have been all over this car there's not much about it I am not aware of) I CANNOT OFFER ANY EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THIS OR ANY OTHER VEHICLE(S) I MAY SELL OR SERVICE AS CUSTOMER DRIVING SITUATIONS AND CONDITIONS ONCE IT LEAVES ME ARE BEYOND MY CONTROL.YOU WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO ANY EXTENT YOU ARE WILLING TO LEARN/LISTEN IN ORDER TO KEEP THIS VEHICLE IN TOP RUNNING CONDITION FOR DECADES. SHIPPING: GEOGRAPHY NOTWITHSTANDING,THIS CAR CAN AND WILL BE TRANSPORTED ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD, TO ANY U.S. PORT BY ME PERSONALLY ONCE IT HAS BEEN PAID FOR, THEN SHIPPED VIA CONTAINER, VIA BONDED SHIPPING COMPANY. for serious inquiry please call 541-883-1138.ARRANGEMENTS COULD BE MADE FOR IT TO BE PICKED UP HERE BY REPUTABLE SUFFICIENTLY EQUIPPED TRANSPORTER, CAN ALSO BE DRIVEN AWAY BY OWNER TO ITS DOMESTIC DESTINATION. ANY NECESSARY LEVEL OF TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE WILL BE AFFORDED TO THE BUYER FOR AS LONG AS I LIVE. $1000.00 WILL BE DEDUCTED IF THE BUYER ELECTS TO NOT WANT THE POLYCARBONATE SARATOGA PANARAMIC ROOF SECTION.