RE: SOTW: Fiat X1/9
Discussion
BazMV6 said:
Crow555 said:
The X1/9 has been SOTW before has it not?
I think so too. My mate (now in the US) used to have one, and I remember sending him a link.We had great fun touring France in 1982 (during the World Cup) in his X1/9 and my BGT.
Strange decision number 2. FIAT x19 being no. 1
One day I will have a FIAT X1/9, but only when I have a garage where I can keep it out of the rain.
It is worth remembering that the body was designed to stand up to some American crash legislation more severe than was ever implemented. As one or two people have observed, in a crash they're stronger than they look. Assuming the body is in good condition which, I'll accept, is a big ask for an Italian car of that vintage.
It is worth remembering that the body was designed to stand up to some American crash legislation more severe than was ever implemented. As one or two people have observed, in a crash they're stronger than they look. Assuming the body is in good condition which, I'll accept, is a big ask for an Italian car of that vintage.
I actually think the ridiculous stereo kind of works - gives the cabin a DeLorean vibe. Which is basically consistent with the build quality you'd expect...
Shame it's so poorly-built, because I think the shape is stunning and the basic recipe of the car is great. But would need full inspection and rust treatment, a new gearbox (anyone know if the box is interchangable with any other Fiats? Can't be easy to source an X1/9 one) and presumably some bushes and seals here and there. A pretty pricey restoration that few would bother with, but I think it's a great old car.
If I were buying this sort of car and prepared for the associated risks, I'd much rather be in a 70s Alfa Spider. But people have cottoned on to that, and they're beginning to fetch silly money now. This Fiat is possibly just interesting enough to have a similar future, if this sort of shape comes back into fashion (I will forever love anything sharp and wedge-y like this).
Shame it's so poorly-built, because I think the shape is stunning and the basic recipe of the car is great. But would need full inspection and rust treatment, a new gearbox (anyone know if the box is interchangable with any other Fiats? Can't be easy to source an X1/9 one) and presumably some bushes and seals here and there. A pretty pricey restoration that few would bother with, but I think it's a great old car.
If I were buying this sort of car and prepared for the associated risks, I'd much rather be in a 70s Alfa Spider. But people have cottoned on to that, and they're beginning to fetch silly money now. This Fiat is possibly just interesting enough to have a similar future, if this sort of shape comes back into fashion (I will forever love anything sharp and wedge-y like this).
Great shed!!!
Providing the metal moth hasn't set up residence, drop any Lancia Twin Can in there (Supercharged Volumex would be nice)or even a later 2.0 ltr Fiat turbo lump, tweak the brakes and launch yourself into the horizon!
http://youtu.be/re29fFYiykA
Providing the metal moth hasn't set up residence, drop any Lancia Twin Can in there (Supercharged Volumex would be nice)or even a later 2.0 ltr Fiat turbo lump, tweak the brakes and launch yourself into the horizon!
http://youtu.be/re29fFYiykA
LuS1fer said:
v8250 said:
Driven everywhere with roof off, with Boston, Billy Idol, Simple Minds
My god, where did they all sit?
v8250 said:
I have two distinct memories, 1. going backwards into a cornfield at 70mph; we all survived
cookie1600 said:
Providing the metal moth hasn't set up residence, drop any Lancia Twin Can in there (Supercharged Volumex would be nice)
Isn't that equivalent to saying "if you can't find hens' teeth, rocking horse s
t will do"?!Great SOTW BTW!
LJKS had one with a 2 litre engine in it when he lived in the states.
I'm not sure about the TR7 comparisons when the X1/9 came first and was based on the Autobianchi Bertone Runabout concept car. I don't think I knew it was called that until today. It has the Stratos front wheel covers extending into the bonnet.
I'm not sure about the TR7 comparisons when the X1/9 came first and was based on the Autobianchi Bertone Runabout concept car. I don't think I knew it was called that until today. It has the Stratos front wheel covers extending into the bonnet.
For anyone brought up on a diet of "sweet" TDIs and lardy barges this could be a shock to the system from which you'll never recover. One of the most entertaining handling cars I have ever driven. Light and flickable in a way that just isn't possible now. Rust, electrics and build quality? Typical for the era really - this was contemporary to the Spitfire and MGB... I owned a Mk2 GT6 and was saving for a mint example (red with cream leather...) when I had to use the money for a house deposit instead.
Fond memories of a weedy 1300 destroying an RS2000 and Capri 3.0S round the twisties...
Very nearly bought the "baby Testarossa" built by Performance Tuning back in the eighties - tuned Mirafiori lump and a Ferrari bodykit! 'Twas cool back then.
Fond memories of a weedy 1300 destroying an RS2000 and Capri 3.0S round the twisties...
Very nearly bought the "baby Testarossa" built by Performance Tuning back in the eighties - tuned Mirafiori lump and a Ferrari bodykit! 'Twas cool back then.
angusc43 said:
What it really needs is proper 2.0 twin cam.
Something like a Strada Abarth 130TC motor.
IIRC you can drop them in.
Something like a Strada Abarth 130TC motor.
IIRC you can drop them in.
My brother-in-law had one (long before I met him, so I never saw it) and he'd put the 2L Lancia Twin cam in it. Said it was a very easy install and went like stink. Edited by JonRB on Friday 18th May 13:51
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