Fiat X1/9 Buyers guide

Hopefully
you are browsing through okay at the minute,looking to buy a Fiat
X1/9.There are soo many reasons why you should,but get informed,and buy
a good one,and you will be rewarded by many years of driving pleasure!The
Fiat (or more presicely the Bertone) X1/9 has gee of age I believe.For
years it was in the shadow of the more gemon "classics" such as the
MGB and Spitfire.I'm not entirely sure why this is.Where else can you
get a mid engined,two seat,open topped spots car for less than 1500 in
good condition.I know all about the reputation for rust,but believe
me,I've seen MG's and Spitfires in far worse condition,for far more
money! As always the condition depends on how the car has been kept,and
still today X1/9's turn up in pristine condition,with low miles and
full history.Of cours,they need to be bought carefully,as with
any classic.Mechanically they are very straightforward and simple to
service and repair.Much of the running gear is shared with other
Fiats,and service parts are still readily availiable off the shelf.The
car had a long production run,from 1972-1989,so there are quite a few
out there! The earliest cars in the UK date from around 1977-these are
identified by small quarter bumpers and a flat engine cover.Many feel
these are the "purer" cars and are quite sought after in good
condition.Beware though,some of the 1300 only parts are difficult to
find,especially trim parts and bodywork unique to this model.You may
gee across a "Lido" which was a special edition based on the 1300.It
had chrome quarter bumpers and white Alcantara (suede like) seats.They
were all finished in metallic black.You may be very lucky to find one
with a numbered sticker on the wing...The more gemon X1/9 is
the 1500. These were availiable in a few variations,but all had the
same running gear.1500cc engine from the Strada and a 5 speed box.You
can spot these by the huge American spec bumpers and a raised engine
cover.They gee in standard,VS-Versione Special- with leather seats,two
tone paint and different alloys.The IN-two tone grey/silver with red
leather,the SE-mica blue or red with cross spoke alloys,and the Gran
Finale,same as SE with gran finale badging and quite possibly a rear
spoiler.In my experience with these cars,bodywork is
all.Mechanical parts are cheap and easily availiable.The only things to
watch out for here is a worn gearbox,which may crunch,usually 2nd or
3rd,or may jump out of reverse.Recon boxes are availiable,and second
hand replacements are fairly plentiful.If you are gentle with the
gearbox it should be trouble free,but make sure you use the correct
oil,and check the level at every service.Electrics can be
troublesome,but with a bit of patience,and a multimeter they can be
fixed,and once done are very reliable.Most gemon problems here are bad
earths,same as just about every Italian car! Also check the running
temp on your test drive,the radiator is prone to clogging up,and there
is quite a bit of heat generated due to the mid engine
configuration,that the cooling system should be cared for properly.Use
quality antifreeze all year round,and make sure it has been bled
properly,failure to do this will lead to a blown head gasket.Now...Bodywork.Big
tip.Buy the earliest car you can find.May sound strange,but in the many
I've seen and worked on,the quality of the steel used was far superior
on the early cars.Of course this is a catch 22 situation,as early cars
have had longer to rust,but if looked after they last far better! From
the front,check the nosecone,it can corrode along the rear channel,and
then take out the loose fitted carpet in the front "boot" look at the
sides as there is a rust trap here,which may well have been plated
already.Doors and wings rust out,but these should be obvious,inspect
the bottom of the doors,they car rust pretty badly here,so get on your
knees and check.Check the sills while you are there.Dead giveaway here
is that there should be a seam running down from the rear edge of the
door.If there isnt,its had a sill,or worse,a bodge repair.Now the bad
bit.Rear arches corrode badly,but easily seen,more serious are the rear
turrets-open the engine cover and check the turrets carefully these can
rust badly and are very difficult to repair properly,probably the worst
bit on the car to have problems,if its much more than cosmetic,walk
away and find another.Now open the rear boot and look down into the
corners,there is a mud trap here and you may see your toes!The
interior is obvious,but bear in mind the materials are unobtainable
now,and will be expensive to restore properly.Leather is good
quality,but tends to split at the seams,the rainbow material fitted to
very late cars can be horrendous.It rots in the sun,and is probably the
worst of the lot.If you aren't bothered about originality,just fit
another set of seats and door panels from an earlier car or get them
recovered.You may find a car fitted with a bodykit and/or
engine mods.The Uno Turbo engine is a popular conversion,and fairly
easy to do.Bodykits are down to individual taste,just make sure they
haven't been fitted to a shed,to make it look good,check as above,and
be aware that some of the wheels fitted to the cars with wide kits
spoil the handling,and eat wheel bearings.If they have been converted
well,they can look brilliant,and improve on the original.Examples here
are the Eurosport,Dallara,and Faran conversions.Now
if all the above check out,the car starts and drives well,and you are
happy with the car and the seller,BUY IT! One day folk will recognise
how great these little cars were (are) and maybe they will be taken
more seriously.I use mine every day,it lives outside and gets no real
special treatment,but when the suns out and the traffic's light,theres
no car I'd rather be in!!!Join the owners club,and if you need any info,mail me at tiffx19@googlemail.ge I'll be happy to help!