The vendor of at present’s Good Value or No Cube Fiat X1/9 claims it’s “cosmetically very unique, however has fairly a number of good modifications.” Let’s see if we like the value or if it wants some adjustments.
If you happen to’ve ever been advised to “gradual your roll,” it may not have been an admonishment however a suggestion to purchase the 1982 Peugeot 505 turbo diesel we checked out final Friday. With a zero to sixty time within the higher teenagers, that Pug isn’t going to win many races. However at simply $2,500, it did win our appreciation and a 72 p.c Good Value victory within the voting.
Gradual because it could be, the 505’s good-looking Pininfarina styling ensures everyone enjoys the view because it trundles alongside. Right now’s 1980 Fiat X1/9 is one other gradual automobile with nice styling, though its beauty come from the home of Bertone and styling legend Marcello Gandini. Not solely is it a looker—the wedge of cheese styling seems simply as recent at present because it did when new—nevertheless it’s additionally a masterclass in packaging design.
Fiat invented the trendy design for FWD automobiles, using a transverse engine and end-on gearbox that sends energy to the entrance wheels by way of unequal-length half shafts. Fiat first examined this structure within the Autobianchi Primula and took it mainstream within the 128. The X1/9 was the primary manufacturing sports activities automobile to take a transverse FWD drivetrain and transfer it to the again, making for a rear mid-engine structure.
The innovation doesn’t cease there, both. As small because the X1/9 is, it nonetheless manages to have each entrance and rear trunks, a detachable Targa roof that shops within the entrance trunk, and homes its gasoline tank and spare tire inside the wheelbase, each mounted vertically sandwiched between the cabin and the engine compartment. It’s like a magical Bento Field on wheels.
This 63,175-mile instance gives the entire later version’s updates—a much bigger 1.5-liter fuel-injected engine, improved inside, and better-integrated bumpers—and has loved a slew of labor undertaken to make it a simple turn-key collectible.
A few of these updates are laudable, whereas a number of are open to query. The rebuilt engine, refreshed gearbox, resprayed paint, and upgraded brakes are excessive on the need column. On the opposite aspect of the desk, there’s the seemingly kludged-together engine administration system that leverages a Megasquirt controller for gasoline injection and an digital ignition driver from Ford. Prime that off with a catalytic converter delete, and choices grow to be restricted relating to the place this Fiat may very well be simply registered and meet smog requirements.
If that’s not a problem in your neck of the woods, then this little X1/9 has heaps to supply. It seems beautiful in its ruby crimson paint and Cromodora alloys. The one apparent visible blight on the outside appears to be some waviness within the rubber snood across the entrance bumper, which provides the automobile a little bit of a sneer.
Within the cabin, issues look amazingly intact and welcoming, one thing exceptional since, traditionally, X1/9 interiors tended to have the sturdiness of institutional rest room paper. Nothing right here reveals extreme put on, and the colour combo completely compliments the outside hue. It even nonetheless has the goofy beer faucet shift knob for the five-speed that’s not exceptionally comfy to make use of however does look all artsy-fartsy. X1/9-branded mats maintain the carpet clear however look misplaced resulting from their contrasting colour.
In keeping with the vendor, who’s an X1/9 aficionado, the automobile’s quirks embrace some minor clear coat points, carpet put on underneath the accelerator pedal, and, most notably, an occasional concern with the Frankenstein gasoline injection that requires a restart to calm down. Apparently, that may very well be cured with some remapping of the Megasquirt controller, however good luck discovering somebody to deal with doing that.
When it was in manufacturing, the X1/9 outlived its maker, Fiat, within the U.S. market by greater than half a decade. Fiat pulled up stakes right here in 1982, however the X1/9 continued on, independently imported by Malcolm Bricklin (sure, that man) and marketed as a Bertone till 1989. By 1990, sizzling hatches and, actually, the debut of Mazda’s MX5 Miata spelled the tip for the X1/9.
Right now, these are thought-about minor classics and may be a superb and inexpensive option to get right into a enjoyable, collectible automobile with out breaking the financial institution. Would this one match the invoice at its $12,000 asking worth?
What do you say? Is {that a} whole lot, and do the mods assist or damage this X1/9’s possibilities at that asking worth?
You determine!
Seattle, Washington, Craigslist, or go right here if the advert disappears.
H/T to RevUnlimiter for the hookup!
Assist me out with NPOND. Hit me up at remslie@kinja.com and ship me a fixed-price tip. Bear in mind to incorporate your Kinja deal with.
