The Z1 carriage family is largely based on the experience gained from building the Eurofima, of which FS purchased 100 units plus three prototypes between 1973 and 1978. The Z1 carriages were ordered and produced in four separate batches from 1985 to 2001, with slight differences between each series. in large quantities starting in 1985 for the new InterCity and EuroCity trains, thanks to their bogies approved for speeds of 200 km/h. These are vehicles for long-distance trains, intended for international and national traffic, specifically for fast trains and designed to complement the previous UIC-X and Gran Confort carriages.
The first-series carriages (type 1985) were purchased in several batches between 1985 and 1992 and consisted of: -545 second-class compartment carriages (divided into three successive batches of 160, 335, and 50 carriages) -70 first-class compartment carriages
Other variants of these carriages include: -80 second-class saloon carriages equipped with spaces for disabled passengers -40 luggage compartments. -35 first-series semi-conductor carriages, also saloon-style. Since the Z carriages were planned to be built alongside the Gran Confort carriages on internal InterCity trains, at least 270 of the first second-class carriages received a livery with the same scheme, the so-called "Bandiera," slate gray with ivory-white window strips, but with blue longitudinal stripes instead of red to distinguish them from the luxurious 1st class Gran Comfort carriages
