This Fiat X1/9 is claimed to have been in long-time original ownership, serviced by one mechanic for its entire existence. The level of commitment and care is evident in the straight sheetmetal and original body graphics still in place. The U.S. bumpers are always a downer, but finding one with a known service history is a must – and hard to find. Check it out here on eBay with one bid to $1,800 and no reserve.
The seller’s listing is excellent, with lots of good details and videos showing the car running and accelerating nicely. It was parked beginning in 2003, but like anything stored long-term, a car that was well-maintained previously has a better chance of being resuscitated somewhat economically. The body presents incredibly well, with no real defects other than what appears to be a dent on the driver’s side rear quarter panel.
The seller notes: “Upon receiving this vehicle the carburetor was cleaned, the battery was replaced, the fuel drained and replaced, the oil changed and some general cleaning and maintenance has been performed.” However, the listing notes this is still a restoration project with more work to be done but no real specifics around what’s needed next. The interior is largely sound, aside from the gear shift boot and floormats being torn up.
Emissions controls were not kind to the X1/9s, and prior to 1979, they made do with a mere 63 b.h.p. The video in the listing shows the Fiat accelerating nicely with pleasing sounds emitting from the mid-engined four-cylinder. This example will come with a variety of NOS parts, and the cheap selling price makes it a tempting choice for a summer driver you won’t be afraid to use.
I remember seeing these cars when they were first offered (in Europe) and loved the Bertone styling – then I remember the one my step-brother bought new in SoCal, which died on the way home from the dealership. Sadly, things went downhill from there and it got replaced pretty smartly with something far less stylish, yet significantly more reliable.
If one could change this example’s 5-mph battering rams with the Euro-spec bumpers and give the engine some extra oomph, it could be a fun project for someone. The fact that the body appears to be solid is a big plus.
Kit available for repower with the Fiat 1.3 Turbo (118hp) Engine & 5 speed!
Fix
It
Again
Tony
Ah, so the mechanic really was named Antonio/Tony? ;-)
Futile
Italian
Attempt at
Transportation
Finest
In
All
Things
Since this car is in Santa Cruz, CA, I suspect that the mechanic who cared for it is Chris Obert. He is a very well-known and respected Fiat expert from there. If this car was in fact serviced by Chris, you would be hard pressed to find a better one.
Since this car is in Santa Cruz, CA, I suspect the mechanic who cared for it was probably stoned most of the time, as was the owner. Seriously, nice buy if it stays close to the current price (which it likely won’t).
I had a 1976 X1/9 loved the handling but young and dumb I drove it like an American muscle car and was either snapping an axle or timing belt from bang shifting.
I would remove the bumpers and drive it without and take my chances, as I wouldn’t be seen dead driving it as is.
Absolutely! I thought it had a snow plow mounted on it. It looks like an amusement park ride.
Wow, haven’t seen one of these in ages.
There was, of all people, a priest at my high school who drove a blue one. I don’t think he stayed a priest very long. :D
While a Fiat is the LAST car I would drive, I think the X1/9 was the coolest Fiat, (except the Fiat Dino, THAT was a cool car) Almost like it shouldn’t have had the Fiat name attached to it. With all the bad things I’ve seen with Fiats, with this, the horror would continue, I’m sure. I’d go the Fiero route anyday before one of these.
In my experience the “mechanic maintained” statement means nothing.
I bought a 1959 Buick convertible from a mechanic. Because the man was a mechanic, I didn’t think I had to look to closely at the car.
About 20 minutes later the left rear wheel fell off the car on the freeway.
Never again.
Try explaining to a tow truck driver to bring wheel lugs with him to put the wheel back on. I had to explain that they were like the VW lugs in that they were one piece. He argued with me that it was not possible on an American car. That was a long night, and of course it starting raining on us. Oh, did I mention the car had no top?
@Miguel. I know exactly how you feel re the left rear wheel coming off my 1951 Buick Super. I had done a photo shoot for a movie company and on the way home my left hand rear wheel also came off! First there was a bit of a rumble, then a wobble before the rear of the car/bumper ran over the tyre and I found myself looking down through the windscreen at the tarmac! The damage wasn’t too bad and I discovered that the reason was that I had just had the wheels powder coated and the pressure on the powder coating during cornering had caused it to compress which then allowed the lug nuts to loosen. I then removed all of the wheels and ground off the powder coating where the wheel actual sat against the brake drum and also where the lug nuts fitted against the rim. No more problem.
An evening al fresco, how romantic
these were two a penny over here in the 80s thankfully the great British weather and Italian steel teamed up and turn them all into rust , they were rubbish then and still are now IMHO, MX5 over one of these any day
Love these cars, but so many questions. If it’s been on non-op, how long and are there a bunch of unpaid fees? It’s not the original engine, so what happened if it was meticulously maintained by a single mechanic? Where did the current engine come from, and what shape is it in? Those are seat covers, how bad are the seats underneath? There’s rust around the windshield washer sprayers, what other rust is hiding under there? It has smog equipment on it (of course), but they’ve waited to sell it until it’s exempt. What’s wrong with the system?
It certainly looks nice, I just hope someone doesn’t bid it up to $10 grand plus and find themselves with a ton of problems!!
It just so happens my first experience in a Fiat was in a brand new 1979 X-1/9 in exactly the same color scheme. My college room mate was the son of the local dealer. My last experience in a Fiat was last Spring when I drove a friends 128 3P on a club drive and lo and behold one wheel practically fell off! (see Buick story above). Come to find out the pretty aftermarket chrome wheels and pretty chrome lug nuts are a bad combination on a vibrating FWD car!
Boy I can buy alot pizza with that money.