With its design coming from Bertone, the Fiat X1/9 was a 2-seat sports car with a mid-engine layout. They were built between 1972 and 1982 by Fiat and then Bertone alone through 1989. Unusual for Fiat at the time, they were conceived with the North American market as the primary target and that’s where 100,000 copies ended up over the years. The seller’s 1980 example was donated to charity and then purchased for resale by a dealer/repair shop. Located in Portland, Oregon, this X1/9 will need some mechanical and cosmetic work but could be whipped into a driver with less effort. It’s available here on craigslist for $3,995.
The X1/9 was a Targa-style sports car with a transversely mounted engine, 1.5 liters in displacement by the time the seller’s automobile was built. As a result of this layout, the car’s weight distribution front-to-rear was pretty balanced for greater handling characteristics. To maximize space utilization, the spare tire and gas tank were mounted behind the front seats but before the engine. The top was removable so the passengers could enjoy some of the benefits of a convertible.
Fiat had a simple logic for the car’s name: it was the code used for developing the car’s prototype. Besides the SOHC engine, these cars used a 5-speed manual transmission (4-speed in earlier versions). Rear-wheel drive was employed along with a fully independent suspension and MacPherson struts in the front and back. Fiat pulled out of the U.S. market in 1982, so production of the cars was handed over to Bertone for the balance of the 1980s run.
We gather the seller’s car hasn’t run in a while, given that the engine is currently no-op. But that may be from sitting and a flush of the fuel system may go a long way to rectifying that. The odometer reading of 61,000 miles could be legit, but there are no guarantees. The green/gold paint might respond to wax once you remove the worn-out bra on the front end. We’re told there likely is little rust on this Fiat, but a new set of seat covers may do wonders for the interior.
If you don’t want to handle some work on the car – even up to a restoration – you can employ the seller to carry those efforts forward. And the seller says that delivery is available but that could have restrictions. You can check the seller out here on yournextridepdx where this Fat is included. Along with some other cool and not-so-cool rides.
These are fun cars to drive as long as you are driving a rust free example. Low going in price at least gives the buyer some repair space to work in.
Had one of these a real blast to drive especially with the targa roof removed I took out the spare and used to carry a cooler of beer behind the passenger seat Emerson fittapaldi says it’s the closest thing you can get to driving a formula one car!
I really enjoyed my 74, almost as much as my mechanic. Some lucky kid was able to go to college because of me, you’re welcome.
My first 2nd “big boy toy” car in ’91. Bought it from a girl that said didn’t like getting in and out. Got if for $1500. Had alot of fun with it for several years, even though had to take top off to carry golf clubs. But alas, age and girth caught up with me. If I took it out, either had to take top off so could pull myself up or open door and crawl out. Not impressive for the ladies. Sold it to a friend for his son, took him 6 months to loose it on a curve. I’ll buy another one in the next life (hopefully thin again).
These ‘extreme’ sport-race cars like many Labos or Ferraris of the time never meant to be driven by ladies or unfit men beyond 6 feet. Apart from getting in or out of the car, the clutch, the brakes and the stirring wheel (no assist) were very heavy. Although fit at the time i had to deactivate one of the 3 springs on the clutch to make it easier useable.
My first real sports car after getting rid of my Chevy Vega. What a fun car to drive. My fiat mechanic had a Fiat X1/9 and a parts car. Together we made one nice ride. At 70 and over 6 feet tall I still fit in it. Still drive it whenever I can. Not much power, but handles like a real race car. Gets plenty of looks from people that never seen one. Who ever buys it I hope they have a lot of fun with it.
74 Fiat X1/9 my first new car. Reliable as any car on the road until I lost a cam timing belt. That lesson cost me 6 valves. Nothing about belts was in the owner’s manual. Short lived item only lasts 25k miles. The transmission oil absolutely has to be kept full bc the main shaft is positioned just an inch from the top of the oil level when full. Those two items maintained and I’m still driving this little gem 50 years later. The engine has never left its nest for anything. Most smiles per gallon of any car I’ve owned, and that’s saying something bc I still own a 1993 MR2 Turbo and a Fiero GT.