The grandfather to the MR2 and the Fiero, the Fiat X 1/9 has become a rare find for many reasons, but especially for first year American market cars. Very dusty from a 31 year hibernation, this 1974 looks like a solid project, but needs some love to be a driver again. Repainted from its rare and desirable factory green, the current dark blue paint has a nice appearance but makes you wonder why on earth someone would cover up the very 70’s green paint. Currently sitting with 17 bids, the price of this Fiat has risen to $2,000. Check out this early gem here on ebay out of Billings Montana.
Although the X 1/9 was offered in America from 1974 until 1989, the early cars seem to hold the most charm with their styling, simplicity, and the more favorable shifting 4 speed transmission. Even though this Fiat has been stored 31 years, it would seem that it was fairly well used before its long nap. The carpet is worn as is the rubber foot pad. There are seat covers installed likely hiding some damaged seats, but the dash and door paneling looks in fair shape. The driver door panel has been removed, but the seller assures that it is complete and in fair shape. Unfortunately the seller couldn’t get the engine hood open to take pictures of the 1300cc 4 cylinder engine. Although not very thrilling to look at, the small engine is a rewarding little mill to spin up and enjoy on back roads. Many X owners prefer the shifter feel of a 4 speed car but the added 5th gear is a nice addition on the later model cars.
The 1974 cars came with the desirable “Euro” style bumper-ettes, but being American cars received the giant rubber bumper blocks that arent so appealing. The bumper-ettes offer a great look on these cars, and are often mimicked on later model cars. One thing I couldn’t live with are the aftermarket over bumper pieces. Those would get ditched quickly, and the bumper-ettes reinstalled. The paint has a nice shine to it, and the body work appears solid and straight. Rust can often be an issue in the rear quarters, rockers, trunk floor, and front suspension cross member. There is no rust in sight, but it makes me curious if there may be any lurking around this clean appearing X. 1974 model X’s are famously desirable in the X community, and often command more than any other year model. Looking to be a solid start to a first year project, this little X looks like it could be a fun car to revive and drive. What do you think this 1974 X 1/9 will sell for?
As I recall, you could watch these things turn to rust right before your very eyes.
Mine had constant wheel bearing problems. Color was a brownish tan. Was fund to drive and girls liked it.
It does look fund to drive
I see what you did there…. lol
Shore waz fun!
It’s only rare because of the few that sold, most were crushed by their tortured owners.
Looks nice enough in blue, but agree the factory green was way cooler.
Anyone else interested in everything else in the back ground???
Have a nice big scar from cutting a quarter panel off to get to the hood and trunk cables after a crash. Neat little car and i think of them every time i see the scat inn my middle finger. Kinda ironic that one of these gave me the finger. Ha ha
I’ve owned 14 X1/9’s. If you want one that is mostly stock, then you want one with the 1.5L engine and the 5 speed transmission – and you want one of the fuel injected models – and ideally one of the late model Bertone badged ones with the leather interior. Some of the last ones had extra bolts for the head and made the head gaskets last longer. Wheel bearings have a tendency to go out, but cheap and easy enough to fix. Now these 1st generation ones like this one – especially the 1st year 74 ones – well those are a little bit lighter than the later models – so if you want to do an engine and transmission swap then can see wanting one of those. There is a way to put a 250hp Honda K20 motor in these things hehehe. X1/9’s are not the fastest cars of course, but they are really great fun to drive. If you’re willing to put a LOT of miles on one and practice a LOT you can actually get them to corner exceptionally well – but it takes a long time to learn how to properly drive one of these things (but worth it). I’ll always love these cars – and I’m sure I’ll end up with yet another one sooner or later – but for now I’ve got mid-engine-targa-top fix handled with a Lotus Elise – which is basically just a grown up version of this car lol lol
“If you want one that is mostly stock, then you want one with the 1.5L engine and the 5 speed transmission – and you want one of the fuel injected models – and ideally one of the late model Bertone badged ones”
Absolutely! Better driving, more powerful, better rust proofing. The only thing desirable about those earlier, very anemic models was the bumpers… and those are easy enough to add to the later cars.
I’ve had 19 trouble free years with mine. Other than standard maintenance items, the only thing I’ve had to change is the air flow meter. This winter I’m going to replace the original ignition switch, which has gotten a little flakey.
Victor 14 x-19’s!! You are a real sucker for punishment. I would throw in the towel after 1 or 2.
A co-worker had one along with a 128, during the work week he would drive the X1/9 then swap the drivetrain into the 128 to carry the family to church only to get home and switch it back for the Tuesday commute. Practiced enough to do the swap in an hour
Not possible, at least not without significant engineering that would take far more than an hour to swap. The X1/9 is rear engine, the 128 is front engine.
I had this same year model, in yellow. Bought used in 1979 from a “friend” who promised lots of fun. Apparently he considered walking fun. For the agonizing 3 months that I kept it, it left me stranded on the side of the road too many times. The local Fiat dealer had no clue whatsoever how to repair. Never again, Tony.
Better a X1 than a MR2 or a Fiero.
Not if you like driving.
Lovely cars. You can steer them with your cheeks… D.
@Rock On — I actually had good luck with all of mine – but they all had the 1.5 liter 5 speeds in them and all but 3 or 4 of them were fuel injected.
I actually put one into a lake 20 foot under water (long story) – and then drove it around for another 30,000 miles after I got it back out of the lake. mmm that one did have a few electrical problems after that and had a distinct smell in the interior – but it still ran great! (once you push started it) lol lol. I put 68,000+ miles on one of them in less than 9 months – my best friend bought one just like mine and we would just hop in them and go run around on twisty roads for the hell of it..4 or 5 hours a day and all weekend long. With the exception of a transmission failure in one of them (twice in the same car actually) – I never got stranded to the point I had to walk or call a tow truck. The ones with carbs I had to clean out the jets a few times cause they got clogged and had a few overheating problems where I had to pull over and wait for em to cool off – but overall excellent luck. I’ve had four 1st gen MR2’s as well — technically better cars – but no where near as fun – I’ll take the X1/9 over an MR2 or Fiero any day. And here’s another interesting tid-bit of info – on paper the MR2 is faster – but tell you what – in real life I could beat an MR2 in my X1/9’s on a twisty road every time — you just have to have a LOT of practice. The MR2 is a much easier car to master – but having mastered them both – the X1/9 wins every time.
That’s great Victor, with your luck you should really try the Powerball Lottery. All kidding aside you are proof that perseverance pays off.
I bought this 1974 new.
I remember wheel bearing problems.
It was FUN to drive.
I’ve seen maybe 2-3 in the past 20+ years.
The rest must have dissolved.
Mine was bright in-your-face orange, black top (when it was on), and just a joy to drive.
Would love to have it back, but time has marched on. To restore may be taking up a real challenge of sourcing parts and skills.
I guess my 69 Monaco orange Vette will just have to do.
..thanks to jerk behind me this is that happened to one of my 1984 Bertone badged cars. Me and the girly I was with (thats us sittin on the ground) didn’t get hurt one tiny bit.
You’d think after almost drowning in one and being smashed like an accordion in another I wouldn’t want one anymore….buuut nope still love em. As you can see they’re actually quite structurally strong too.
Our guys would fit a Fiat Uno Turbo motor to these magic little cars, then look at the faces of their opponents from the traffic lights, in their rear view mirror.
Lots of guys have done the Fiat Uno turbo motor swap – it’s not to difficult to do. If you want to go fast though – do Honda K20 swap.
These guys have a kit to help you do it:
http://www.midwest-bayless.com/p-1029-acura-honda-k20-engine-swap-kit-for-fiat-bertone-x19-stage-1.aspx
..and here is some more info
http://fiatmonkey.com/k20X/sample-page/x19-k20-engine-swap/
I gave strong consideration to doing this, but I opted to buy a Louts Elise instead. I would be unable to do the labor myself and by the time I paid to have it all done the way I wanted the cost would of been close to what I paid for 2005 Lotus Elise, and I figured when the time came to sell, it would be easier to sell the Lotus and it would probably hold it’s value better. If I ever have a spare chunk of change laying around burning a hole in my pocket I’ll do it – and part of what I’d want would be this here Dallara body kit
http://www.midwest-bayless.com/p-7543-widebody-fender-flare-kit-fiberglass-dallara-style-fiat-bertone-x19-all-awesome.aspx
so think of it — that cool body kit with say a 300HP bosted Honda K20 engine with 6 speed in it. Leaving the stoplights would not not see your opponents faces in your rear view mirror – they would be the size of a tiny fly because you’d be waaay ahead of them.
I co drove one of these when new, help get my buddy from Wisconsin to Fort Benning Georgia.I forgot all about these cars until now. It was my buddys car so I hitchhiked back to Wisconsin in the dead of winter. Not sure if the trip down or the hike home was worse.
guy/community here owned a fleet of em when new. Ran em all over the east frm N.E. to TN, OH & FLA, etc.
Wolwo Service Manager runs one in SCCA or whatever the rally, course, drift and circle track for the ‘sports cars’ is called (today even as a 40 yr old car).
@chad – yep you still see these things running on race tracks all the time. I’ve never seen anyone do drift/circle track with them (frankly I find that crap just stooooopid) – but you see them quite often on road-course race tracks – they still do quite well today & of course now you can put these things in the vintage racing classes too.
Had a metallic blue 78 x/19,last of the early 4speed 1300,fiat didn’t make RH ones till 77.So Australia had to wait till late 77 to get the 78models! They went cheap here about 10,000 au! Still they sold more that year than any other,fun car,but once the AW11 MR2 came in late 86 sales of X1/9 dwindled!