Article: Let’s Take A Moment To Remember Those Bonkers Fiat X1/9 Ladder Bumpers

[MissTempura]

The Autopian web site was started from writers who were initially as Jalopnik. I noticed that they recently posted an ode to the ladder-style bumpers of the earlier Fiat X 1/9s.

One of the gems: "I think these tend to get maligned in the X1/9 community, but I think I like these strange, functional battering rams. They have a sort of unashamed industrial-looking design that fits well with the sharp lines of the car."

Let's Take A Moment To Remember Those Bonkers Fiat X1/9 Ladder Bumpers: Cold Start - The Autopian

I bet by now you’ve seen those videos about that crab that was modified with human DNA so it grew more complex neural ganglions, and then they gave it a microphone and all it would talk about were the strange, ladder-like bumpers used on the US-market version of the Fiat X1/9 from 1975 to 1978. […]

www.theautopian.com

What do you all think?

 

[Steve Thomas]

unashamed industrial-looking design that fits well with the sharp lines of the car

Garbage. A very poor stop-gap design with zero redeeming features. In no way consistent with the "sharp lines" FFS. And no, I an't gonna follow the deliberate controversy click bait.

 

[carl]

You guys miss the point. They are great because they come all apart with simple tools and you can make your own single rail, half decent looking bumper out of the parts.

The 79 and later bumpers are no styling prize either.

 

[twincam69]

You guys miss the point. They are great because they come all apart with simple tools and you can make your own single rail, half decent looking bumper out of the parts.

The 79 and later bumpers are no styling prize either.

Agreed!

 

[Steve Thomas]

they come all apart with simple tools

OK, one redeeming feature

 

[MikeHynes]

They do make great battering rams.

 

[Dr.Jeff]

They do make great battering rams.

And that's what I thought the point was.

 

[johnph]

You guys miss the point. They are great because they come all apart with simple tools and you can make your own single rail, half decent looking bumper out of the parts.

The 79 and later bumpers are no styling prize either.

And you can remove the rubber ends and fabricate an aluminum end cap.

 

[tigeravg]

Could be wrong, but I seem to remember weighing everything when removing them from my '78 (and associated hardware). It came to something like 47lbs total. Bathroom scale so... Still, pretty significant.

See? Another positive.

 

[LarryC]

I have always felt that the X 1/9 sheet metal is somewhat unfinished appearing beneath the nose and that some sort of style termination is required. the one twincam69 showed is among the btter better bumper mods. But in all honesty, I never really liked the X 1/9 until the 79s came out. Big or no, at least it tapers the wedge style and lengthens an otherwise stubby front and rear termination. Just my opinion.