OT: X1/9 on BAT, Nice Modified Conversion Options

[Craigers17]

....just nerd'n out on other cool mid-engine cars. I think this one is extremely well done.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1980-fiat-x1-9-12/

[URY914]

I agree. Probably the best looking one I've seen.

[rhodyguy]

I wonder what the reserve is? Clean car. I imagine it's pretty quick.

[maf914]

I always liked the X1/9. I did a test drive in one and enjoyed it, but thought it was a bit too small for my only car. So what did I do? I bought a 914. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

The X1/9 on BAT does look pretty nice. I wonder if the engine management is really dialed in. Also, it says climate control. Does it have AC?

[GBX0073]

Always Liked the X1/9
everything i did not like they addressed in that Car
Very Nice

[bkrantz]

I always liked the X1/9. I did a test drive in one and enjoyed it, but thought it was a bit too small for my only car. So what did I do? I bought a 914. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

The X1/9 on BAT does look pretty nice. I wonder if the engine management is really dialed in. Also, it says climate control. Does it have AC?

I owned a X1/9 for a few years, and developed it into a serious autocross car, while still driving it around. But it really is small, and a tight fit for me (6-2). I always felt like Magnum in his 308 (just a little).

[wonkipop]

great little cars.
even came in RHD!!!!
still a few left here but kept in tissue paper.
they rusted like everything italian - and in australia!!!!!!
karmann must have had the same steel wholesaler? i think they were russians?




same day, nearby, mid engined car that can kill you.
french are genuinely evil?
got any of these in america?
a few in australia.
RHD too, no chop shop backyard garage conversion involved.
(though any french factory RHD car is an authorised factory chop shop job!).
some crazy clio v6s down here as well.
mid engined death sentences.
no one complains about the engine output.
just the blood circulation in their fingers.

[FRUNKenstein]

They are definitely a tighter fit than the 914, but I manage to cram my 6’0”, 250 lb girth into my ‘87 nonetheless. The later models do have a bit more room inside. Although mine has AC (theoretically), I never drive it with the top on anyway.

[Big Len]

The one sold 4 days before it wasn't bad either.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1987-bertone-x-1-9-3/

[arbitrary]

@wonkipop there’s an old saying that Karmann invented rust and then licensed it to the Italians…

I’m another X1/9 fan - like the 914 I test drove an X1/9 in the early 80s but didn’t have the funds to run two cars at the time. So never owned either until earlier this summer when I bought a 914 6 conversion.

[carr914]

I agree. Probably the best looking one I've seen.

the best looking one ever is the one you get rid of! What pieces of (IMG:style_emoticons/default/post-2-1117899824.gif)

[VegasRacer]

I like the red ones.

[iankarr]

X 1/9 was my first car. In that same red-orange color. Broke down on my way to the high school prom. Fun fixing a throttle linkage roadside in a tuxedo.

[Spocknasty]

They are definitely a tighter fit than the 914, but I manage to cram my 6’0”, 250 lb girth into my ‘87 nonetheless. The later models do have a bit more room inside. Although mine has AC (theoretically), I never drive it with the top on anyway.

Incredible! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smilie_pokal.gif)

[914e]

I don't think I have seen one in 15 years. I had a friend in high school with one, it seemed like we fixed it constantly. In that case I blame the driver not the car.
Anyone know how many were imported to the US?

[Tdskip]

I have a 1974 X1/9 that I installed a later 1.5L and 5 speed into. Huge fun and surprisingly solid feeling. Even with the 5 speed, howoever, it gets a bit buzzy and I find myself driving the 914s quite a bit more.

[FRUNKenstein]

They are definitely a tighter fit than the 914, but I manage to cram my 6’0”, 250 lb girth into my ‘87 nonetheless. The later models do have a bit more room inside. Although mine has AC (theoretically), I never drive it with the top on anyway.

Incredible! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smilie_pokal.gif)

Thanks, Spocknasty!

[wonkipop]

@wonkipop there’s an old saying that Karmann invented rust and then licensed it to the Italians…

could be. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

-- the alternative to invention is industrial espionage by the russians using the stasi to plant the technology in west germany. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

if it was it almost worked, the secret to special russian steel went everywhere and the italians were the most enthusiastic advocates. would explain why alfa romeo purchased that 914/6 back in the 70s to study closely.

meanwhile the east germans drove around in their plastic trabants waiting for western europe to collapse in a brown dust cloud.


------

years ago a mate owned a lancia fulvia zagato. then he started to poke around at it.
and got rid of it real fast. the italians had improved on russia and karmann. they had discovered galvanic corrosion. those things eat themselves even out in the middle of the desert.

[Front yard mechanic]

I like the red ones.

Targa top hoarder (IMG:style_emoticons/default/av-943.gif)

[mgp4591]

I would think that the Honda would be one of the easier swaps...they made that one look factory. There was a member here that had a Lancia Beta Scorpion and he wanted to put a Subaru 6 with the Subie trans as well in it. I suggested the Honda swap instead due to the transverse design be very compatible. That would've been a nice one to see!