OT: I've been asked to post a backgrounder on X1/9, Cliff's notes X production history Options

[fatlando]

I lived in Naples Italy from 1989 to 1992 and I bought a 1983 Bertone model, with AC. It was water cooled with an cooling fan.

It was an awesome little car and was in immaculate shape. It only had 3K miles on it.

As i was getting ready to leave Naples, it was stolen from my front garden. It was american specs too!!

The only issue i had was every now and then i would get "vapor lock" in the fuel system and my car would die.

I also had to replace the "filo del accelertori" (throttle cable), which was so much easier than the 914!!!

As far as reliablity i'd go with the X19!!! Our cars are cooler though! (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif)

Infact the "yellow" photos below look just like my car, except I had "suedo leather interior" with black plasitc dash and components with a rocking Cassette Deck!

[Mac]

So folks, here's an X1/9 Body Kit Spotter's Guide

This is not an "all inclusive" list, there are a lot of oddballs, one-offs and derivatives but as far as the major players go here's a rundown (in no particular order):

First let's start with the Corsa (aka Socar) body kit that was offered direct from the Bertone factory in the late '80s...

(IMG:http://img239.imageshack.us/img239/7940/corsa13fx.jpg)

It consisted of fiberglass fascia/front spoiler, side skirts, and rear end

(IMG:http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/4681/eurosp19cw.jpg)

Some folks think it looks a bit dated now but it is still very much a desired kit for enthusiasts because it is factory and rare.

Next there's ABARTH X1/9 and/or related, FAZA:

(IMG:http://img39.echo.cx/img39/5663/faza1cy.jpg)

FAZA was/is run by an 'eccentric' fellow named Al Cosentino in California. Used to race Fiats and along with engine and exaust things sold all kinds of kit parts, fender flares, engine cover snorkels, mostly based from the original ABARTH X1/9 RALLY car (the legendary Carlo Abarth developed the X into a world class rally car as mentioned earlier in this thread by Duane). Al is still around but mostly only sells literature now as far as I know, but there are many other Abarth replica suppliers out there too, this Abarth kit is from Belgium:

(IMG:http://img39.echo.cx/img39/4769/ax19120re.jpg)

Next and of equal enthusiast awe to the Abarth would be the DALLARA X1/9. If you are a fan of very fast race cars you will recognize the Dallara name...

(IMG:http://img39.echo.cx/img39/677/dallara1ba.jpg)

That's actually one of the original Dallara built racers, the Dallara style panels are, like the Abarths, often found from various different sources. Very popular for racing...

(IMG:http://img164.echo.cx/img164/193/dallara8b6sm.jpg)

(IMG:http://img39.echo.cx/img39/2164/necdallara0pt.jpg)

...but also popular for street. These two are basic Dallara panels slightly modified up front (lighting) for street app...

(IMG:http://img39.echo.cx/img39/6297/x190brklnds8ni.jpg)

(IMG:http://img39.echo.cx/img39/8634/jevron25fq.jpg)

Abarth & Dallara kits can still be found but usually not cheap!

Next we have, from Eurosport UK, the (surprisingly) "Eurosport" kit:

(IMG:http://img218.echo.cx/img218/6569/fullkit15cq.jpg)

(IMG:http://img71.imageshack.us/img71/4359/euros16vm.jpg)

These are popular in the UK and Europe. You don't see many in the USA but there are a few around.

Another from England that is no longer made but still out there would be the Faran Eliminator. This was more properly a "conversion" than a kit, as these cars also got outfitted with a Twin-cam engine by Faran. Not too many remain, but no body kit conversation about Xs should leave them out...

(IMG:http://img215.echo.cx/img215/9654/fdx194tc.jpg)

(IMG:http://img215.echo.cx/img215/7928/redfaran3nc.jpg)

Moving Stateside, we have the "Performance Fiberglass" kit, from company of same name. Meant primarily for racing, could be adapted for street but would probably require significant panel reinforcement...

(IMG:http://img215.echo.cx/img215/3261/tomrbig5df.jpg)

(IMG:http://img215.echo.cx/img215/5215/victory7rd.jpg)

As far as the big ones that's the lineup for the most part.

SO with your education now (more or less) complete, here is your BONUS KIT:

(IMG:http://img215.echo.cx/img215/4685/passerox192bd.jpg)

YES THAT IS REALLY AN X1/9, YES THE DOORS FLIP UP, YES THE TOP COMES OFF. This was a kit the creator was hoping to make into a marketable package but never got off the ground. Only two were ever built, a red one and this purple one

(IMG:http://img71.imageshack.us/img71/7923/amalfi11dh.jpg)

The red one as far as we know is still in the hands of the creator, the purple one was sold and vanished for years only to resurface on ebay recently in very poor shape (accident damage), and is now in the hands of an enthusiast who plans to restore the kit.

So that's what I brought to share today. There are definitely more kits than these out there for the X that have been produced at one time or another, but most are long long gone now. These are the ones you most often still hear about today.

I have sometimes thought of building a wild bodykitted X1/9 - maybe a Dallara/PF hybrid...

But then I stop and look at the X1/9 in its original factory bodystyle...

(IMG:http://img78.imageshack.us/img78/4272/yellowx190kr.jpg)

...and I think to myself, "they got it right the first time!" (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/smilie_pokal.gif)

So that's the kitcar slideshow folks! Hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.


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OK! I know you were waiting for the damn Ferrari one, so here!

(IMG:http://img78.imageshack.us/img78/9948/testax6ud.jpg)

[jd74914]

I like the faran (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/cool.gif)

[neo914-6]

QUOTE (Mac @ Mar 16 2006, 04:08 PM)

QUOTE (neo914-6 @ Mar 16 2006, 03:45 PM) I'd probably do a my own modern "neuvox1/9" version   (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/wink.gif)   (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/idea.gif)  :lol:  As I get older I enjoy reliability, amenities, and technology... Well what's stopping you? (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif) Start eyeballing Xs now, take your time, learn some things about what to look for, and by the time you've finished your neo914 you'll have your sights on the perfect X for your next project

uh, a neo914 and 914 V8 resurrection (see my links) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/rolleyes.gif)

...after of course family and "the job" (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/wink.gif)

[Mac]

I hear ya!