2017 Fiat 124 Spider Abarth on 2040-cars

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Junkyard Gem: 1978 Fiat X1/9

Fiat did pretty well selling cars in the United States during the 1970s, especially after the 1973 Oil Crisis made fuel economy a very persuasive selling point. While sales of the larger 131/Brava and weird-looking Strada never amounted to much here, 128s, 124 Sport Spiders and X1/9s were all over American roads during the Malaise Era. Today's Junkyard Gem is one of those X1/9s, found in a boneyard near Pikes Peak in Colorado. The design of the X1/9 was inspired by the 1969 Autobianchi A112 Bertone concept car, and it featured the engine/transaxle assembly and front suspension from the Fiat 128 mounted just behind the seats. A bit more than a decade later, GM copied that idea by using Chevrolet Citation running gear and front suspension in the back of the Pontiac Fiero. The result was a lightweight, nimble mid-engined targa convertible that achieved excellent fuel economy and looked far quicker than it actually was. The X1/9 was available in the United States from the 1973 through 1987 model years. Because Fiat fled the United States in 1982, the 1983-1987 X1/9s were imported by Malcolm Bricklin (yes, at the same time he was the Yugo King) and sold with Bertone badging. The Bricklin-imported 124 Sport Spider was available here during that period as the Pininfarina Azurra. The MSRP for the '78 X1/9 was $5,445, or about $26,804 in 2023 dollars. Meanwhile, the 124 Sport Spider listed at $6,495 ($31,973 after inflation), though it had quite a bit more horsepower (90 versus the X1/9's 67). The next-cheapest mid-engined Italian two-seater Americans could buy that year was the Ferrari 308, which started at an eye-watering $28,580 ($140,692 today); the '78 Maserati Bora cost $29,800 ($146,698 now). A year earlier, there would have been a bit of competition with the Lancia Scorpion, but the last model year here for that somewhat cheap machine was 1977. The U.S.-market X1/9 was underpowered, no getting around that, but it managed to be fun to drive. Install a quad-cam Alfa Romeo V6 from a 164 in one, though, and you get a terrifyingly fast track machine. I used X1/9 side scoops on the hood of my 1965 Impala sedan project, back in the 1990s. The little access hatch to the distributor, located behind the passenger seat, is a thoughtful touch by Fiat. Its final parking space has a good view of Pikes Peak (the snow-covered mountain behind the Xterra), at least.

Fiat 500 facelift found

Following a tumultuous few years on the US market (not to mention the several years it was sold in Europe before crossing the pond) Fiat is preparing a moderate refresh of its bread-and-butter 500 hatchback. As you can tell by the Hannibal Lecter look of this particular prototype, the focus of these updates will be on the front and rear clips. Sadly, it's virtually impossible to pick up any of the details due to the rather obtrusive camouflage. Although they're typically part of a mid-cycle update, it looks like Fiat will be leaving the headlights and taillights of the city car alone for the next model year. Beyond that, though, this is quite light as far as updates go. As for when we could see the freshened 500, it's open for debate. Geneva is certainly a possibility, as is April's New York Auto Show. Be sure to keep your eyes open then.

European new car sales drop nearly 8% in first half of 2019

PARIS — European car sales dropped 7.9% in June, led by bigger declines for Nissan, Volvo and Fiat Chrysler (FCA), according to industry data published on Wednesday. Registrations fell to 1.49 million cars last month from 1.62 million a year earlier across the European Union and EFTA countries, the Brussels-based Association of European Carmakers said in a statement. Calendar effects resulted in two fewer sales days in most markets, accentuating the decline. Registrations for the first half closed 3.1% lower, ACEA said. For European carmakers, weakening demand at home compounds the pressure from a sharper contraction in China and emerging markets that may yet bring more profit warnings. NissanÂ’s aging model lineup contributed to a 26.6% June sales slump while Volvo Cars, owned by ChinaÂ’s Geely, saw deliveries tumble 21.7%. Registrations also fell 13.5% last month at FCA, 10.1% at BMW, 9.6% at Volkswagen Group and 8.2% for both Mercedes parent Daimler and FranceÂ’s PSA Group. The Peugeot makerÂ’s domestic rival Renault suffered less, posting a 3.9% decline. By the Numbers BMW Chrysler Fiat Nissan Volkswagen Volvo Peugeot Renault