5k: 1979 Fiat X19 – Low miles
The Fiat X1/9 was designed by noted Italian design house Gruppo Bertone, and manufactured by Fiat from 1972-1982, and similarly to the Fiat 2000 Spider, it was subsequently manufactured by its designer from 1982-1989. This 1979 Fiat X1/9 is claimed to be a 2 owner car with only 38k miles on it and is offered for sale in Dayton, OH for $6500 via ebay.
No one will ever accuse the X1/9 of being a fast car – the only thing fast about one is the rate at which tin worms devour the medium-rare Italian sheet metal. But it does look the part of a 70s sporty two-seater, even with the later big US spec shopping cart style bumpers. The X1/9 name may sound like something flown by Chuck Yeager and developed by NACA (not NASA – but its low-drag duct designing predecessor the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics), but it was a designation based on internal prototyping nomenclature from Fiat and the name stuck. At least the X1/9 is a bit more sleek than Glamorous Glennis.
The X1/9 is not powered by liquid rocket propellant – but its pushed around (albeit slowly) by a Fiat 1.5 liter inline 4 cylinder SOHC engine putting out 85 horsepower and about 87 ft-lbs of torque. Luckly the X1/9 is a light car – about 2000 lbs – but performance is still ‘Prius like’ at 0-60 in 10 seconds and top speed of 112 mph…when new.
This Fiat has a fairly nice condition interior (gotta wonder what kind of the condition the steering wheel is under the classic 90s thick steering wheel wrap). Of particular note is the manual trans shifter that looks more like a police station CB mike.
Although it looks good in the wide angle shots, this Fiat does have some rust and minor imperfections in various panels – especially concerning is the rust around the windshield – gotta wonder how deep that gold mine goes into the ground…
Let the buyer beware / caveat emptor / sia il compratore guardarsi!
See another mid engine Fiat for sale? email us here: tips@dailyturismo.com
My first car was an 81 X1/9 in similar condition and mileage to this one. 600 bucks in 1994. It had no power, but the mid-engine gave it unusual handling capability and I loved it dearly. About twenty cars later, I am lucky enough to have rediscovered my "Rosebud" sled in the form of a Cayman S.
Fortunately, the *only* thing your Cayman and this Fiat have in common is a mid-engine layout, Andrew. Other than that, it's like comparing the iPhone to 2 tin cans with a string between them.
Yes, but but in small town Nebraska, the Fiat was as exotic as a Porsche. It could also do a lap around the lake much faster than a Cutlass or a Lumina.
Fair enough. I used to travel to rural Nebraska for business back when my Toyota rental was still considered unusual, so it's easy to imagine an X1/9 looking otherworldly. By the way, I wonder if the lake lapping feat may have had as much to do with the lack of handling prowess of a Cutlass or a Lumina…
As a New England resident, the only time I see X1/9's is on the internet. Local examples turned to iron oxide dust years ago.
Strangely enough a neighbor of mine right here in the middle of the salt belt has a beautiful rust-free one. I think he got it from California.
Probably right, Erich. No way it was native to the rust belt states. A friend in college (in Upstate NY) rescued a relatively late model X1/9 (already with serious rust issues), took it down to bare metal and repaired everything. No joke – in less than a year, it was back to rusting in multiple locations. The Northeast US is not kind to old Fiats.
I was told once "never buy an X1/9 with rust in the windshield surround." Don't remember why exactly, but I've heeded the advice so far.
~ i will agree that handling made these great fun to throw around. removing the roof would actually get a second glance from the other gender despite the lack of 'umph'. the Spider was/is a real car. better than an 850, can't hold a candle to a 914.