Congrats and lovely pickup. Fun little cars!
Thanks! Agreed, but to do the bumperless look right takes some work. Filling ~10 holes in the body, cutting bumper shocks, new, re-positioned front turn signals, shave a seam across the nose... if I was doing a full repaint might go that way but will leave mine as it is. Work done so far: R&R leaking clutch slave cylinder (O'Reilley's shipped one to me in 3 days for $38), rubber brake lines, rotors, pads, all new fluids except for coolant (next Fall's job), fuel lines, seats and sun visors recovered, few small rust spots treated under door rubber, wheels refinished (just clear coated this morning, will let cure for ~a week then get new rubber put on), all LED rear bulbs, new front radius arm bushes, vinyl side stripes removed (will leave bare for a while, think I like it). Big jobs left before she's back on the road: instrument cluster removal and heat-bend needle repair, new speedo cable. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login I was a Freshman in High School when R&T had an apple green X1/9 on the cover in 1973, told myself I would have one sometime. Someday arrived in in June 2021, found this 14,000 mile car. Today it has 22,938 miles on it and has been very reliable. The only problem is that I rarely drive my GTB!
wow, what a pair! Don't think I've seen an X1/9 with that kind of front bumper surround/air dam, have any more pics? Did you get the wheels? What tire size? They really are similar cars in many ways. I never owned both at the same time like you but vividly remember that although less dramatic and slower, the X is easier to get in and out of and quick enough to fully enjoy on the road.
Great post and great thread, I've learned a lot. I also dislike car snobs, its one hobby and we should be into it for love of the machine not what someone thinks it represents. X19 is a great design, and from the few i drove decades ago it is a great handling and driving car. Similar to a lotus elise in that if its the only sportscar you ever had, you would have missed nothing in terms of driving fun and experience. Are the people in anew ferrari f8 even having fun. They're basically holding back all the time, not really using the car, the pleasure seems to come from the satisfaction of just acquiring it. In the ferrari world i think the true enthusiasts own mondials, those are the guys who bought one to really use, used to be the same with some boxer owners, although those are becoming the dreaded 'collectable", same thing happening in lotus elise world. All of which is to say, the drawbacks of an x19 appear to be rust, and emissions power. Those bumperless , esp with an upgraded motor are probably the best buy out there in terms of cool cars. Since the market has yet to wise up, the values are low in comparison to cost to redo and that works against it. On the oter hand, if you can do the work, it simply is the bargain of our age. last summer I was at the vintage race at lime rock, and there was an x19 running. Compared to everything else in its class it was a winner, and really economic. Where to famed a great one then?
BaT has quite a few reference pts for X1/9 sales, showing a slight upwards trend but certainly still nice cars out there for under $15k. Fiat X1/9 For Sale - BaT Auctions (bringatrailer.com) Image Unavailable, Please Login This one is the best recent deal I've seen. WAY more than the purchase price put into it, just an awesome machine I assume held back by it's 1.5L motor (albeit with a ton of pricy work, and gorgeous). Modified 1974 Fiat X1/9 1.5L 5-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $21,138 on July 30, 2020 (Lot #34,572) | Bring a Trailer With a K20 swap would have gone easily more than double the hammer price.
Gorgeous, paint porob not my thing, and I wonder how the wider wheels affect steering. In general i'm not a great fan of K20 swaps, while they are powerful I believe? they are also a long stroke motor and quite vibey. The fiat motor if I remember correctly are sweet revers and designed by the maestro. Weber carbs and a tuneful exhaust are part of the experience.
Yesterday, after ~7 weeks on jackstands, she was set back on her wheels and hit the road again. Really happy how she looks with the new seat covers, refinished rims, cleaned up engine compartment, vinyl graphics removed and new speedo&tach needles (made from bamboo skewers), and REALLY happy with how she drives with the new, skinnier tires, tightened-up shift linkage, front suspension bushings, new speedo cable so no more clicking, smooth new brakes, new filters and fresh oil. Forza FIAT! Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Back on the road, last Saturday hit C&C with the son (Lambos, McLarens and Ferraris got prime spots near the X1/9!) then the monthly "Track Casual" event at Speedsportz Kart track. Stock suspension and 165/70 tires made for rolly but grippy and very nicely balanced fun. Had a great time chasing a Suzuki Capuccino which pulled away on the short straights but I caught in the turns, thanks to better knowledge of the track. An X1/9 with VTEC power, tightened up suspension and wider, stickier tires would have given the hot supercharged Miata a good race. 3D in-car vid, best with VR headset: Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Yes - I got a few pax laps in it, super cool car. 3 cyl turbo with ~9k rpm redline. Impressive torque, and grip. Guy recently imported it, thinking about importing more as a side biz if you want his contact info can PM it. He and his wife also took the great photos above. One of the few cars that makes the X1/9 seem normal size, even a bit roomier inside although my 6' frame did snugly fit in the Suzuki. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Not to get derailed always wanted a Honda beat but pretty sure my wife would kill me if we got another car. Someday though!
Had a great adventure with the son driving the X to Austin for Radwood at COTA last weekend. Got caught in an epic lighting storm on the way, but made it to Bastrop hotel after waiting out the worst at an art gallery/wine bar. Lots of rad machines at the show, and only 1 other X1/9. At least 10 people said "I had one of those in high school/college!", exchanging great stories and smiles. Will go back next year with the X for sure, and also the wife driving the '86 CRX Si. Image Unavailable, Please Login View attachment 3518012 Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
couple more pics Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Nice car and great photos. I do love the Countach. When I was young that was the car I coveted. OK, I also love the looks of the 246 Dino. When I was about 15 my dad had an X. I got to drive it a few times. I don't fit in the car but it was a lot of fun to drive.
It's pretty damn cozy for my long-legged, 6' frame. I shimmed the steering column brace to raise the wheel ~1", which allows my right hand to clear my thigh on right turns. <2" of headroom, which is why I drive with the top off whenever it's not raining. A 6 footer with a long torso would either need a lower seat, or a flexible neck
Yeah I was very happy to see that the brake and clutch masters had been replaced by PO. Removing the pedal assembly (and rebuilding that while it's out) is the way to go, but still requires a good amount of time, and curses, on your back under the dash. No fun.
Btw compared to a Kei car like Suzuki cappuccino or autozam az1 (which I lust after) the X1/9 is downright roomy inside
WOW! Can you imagine 215 HP in this thing? https://www.carscoops.com/2023/03/this-215-hp-vtec-swapped-x1-9-is-the-sports-car-fiat-should-have-built/ Image Unavailable, Please Login
For the honda swaps pretty sure they use the corresponding transmission. Fiat one has issues even with stock power. Nice to see the X above going on a trip. Back in the day i took my 83 Bertone to Killington Vt numerous times skiing. Wish i had the pics
