Garage Found: 1982 Fiat X1/9
The Bertone designed (and built) Fiat X1/9 was released in 1972 and can best be described as a competitor to the contemporary Porsche 914. The X1/9 uses a mid-engine layout with a small 4-cylinder engine, t-tops, and angular styling, but the little Fiat feels much more like a toy. Find this 1982 Fiat X1/9 here on eBay
bidding for $3050 with 1 day to go, located in Churchville, NY.
Driving a 914 in modern traffic can be a stressful experience, but the X1/9 really requires your full concentration to keep up with housewives in minivans. When first released the X1/9 took 15 seconds to hit 60mph and 20 seconds to reach 1320 feet — and while this is a later model with the larger 1.5 liter engine, don’t expect it to accelerate like a Corvette.
The X1/9 is powered by a Fiat 1.5 liter inline 4 cylinder SOHC engine putting out 85 horsepower
and about 87 ft-lbs of torque – up a considerable amount from the early 1.3 liter examples. Thanks in part to a low curb weight, the later X1/9 could hit 60mph in 10 seconds, but the real fun happens in the twisty parts.
The best part about driving an X1/9 on the street today is that you can drive the car at 9/10ths and everyone else is unaware. Police can’t give you a speeding ticket if your car can barely reach the speed limit, and you’ll need to use every available RPM to merge on the freeway.
See a better low mile X1/9 for cheap? tips@dailyturismo.com
Floor It Again Tony
Wow. This was my first car. Orange and everything. It was $600 with no rust and 40k miles in 1992.
Hmmm, I think someone got a decent deal at $4610. I was so taken with the X1/9 when it first came out, but (luckily?) I was a broke college student at the time. By the time I was employed, my car needs had evolved to preclude a two-seat sports car.
If I had spotted this one yesterday morning instead of this morning (post auction) I might have been tempted to throw in a bid, just for old times…..
Many of these have become donor cars for Hawk HF, a Lancia Stratos clone.