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Is a Fiat X1/9 acceptable in "other cars" group?

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havivaman

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Hello from New Zealand! I used to lurk into this Forum when I owned a 1966 HA Vauxhall Viva, but I have now sold that little beauty, and now my only 'classic' is a 1978 Fiat X1/9 'Serie Speciale'. It could almost qualify as British, as its initial delivery was to a UK Fiat Dealer, before being shipped to NZ. It has a small Union Jack flag on the LH wing (together with Nuccio Bertone's signature) that indicates its initial delivery ex Fiat production was to UK.
Any other X1/9 owners out there in "Fiat-lovers" land?

cheers, Ian (NZ) aka Havivaman
 
I dont own one; buddy used to have one. Fun car to drive, great on gas, remove the targa top on a nice day. Shame so many Fiats here went to a early grave due to rust.
 
Re: Is a Fiat X1/9 acceptable in "other cars" gro

hmmm... wonder who they are... /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/jester.gif

Yeah, stick around Ian! Get in here more often!! Us Italian car types are 'orribly outnumber'd!!

A mate of mine is out your way, down in Oamaru.
 
And I've got an 850 Spider with a 1300 Abarth in it.
Glutton for punishment that I am! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif
Jeff
 
It should be... I understand they rust nearly as fast as LBCs.... /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/jester.gif /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/devilgrin.gif
 
Hey, great to hear that there ARE some more "Italianophiles" on this Forum!!
Yeah, re the "rusting as fast as..." comment - I once heard a Fiat-cynic's comment that went..."If you sit inside your Fiat on a quiet night, you can almost hear it rusting"!!
And he owned an E-type Jaguar - go figure!!!

Thanks for the welcome responses!

cheers, Ian (NZ)
 
There is a kid down the road with one for sale. it isnt all rusted out, in fact it is in pretty good shape. I have been thinking of lowballing him to see if i could get it......



mark
 
Re: Is a Fiat X1/9 acceptable in "other cars" gro

Not an X1/9 but I have a 77 Lancia Beta HPE, my knock around town car. There is an X1/9 around here with MR2 running gear, really a nice car.
 
Re: Is a Fiat X1/9 acceptable in "other cars" gro

Lancia Beta!!! A fine li'l "commuter"!!


...Basil's gonna need to ~expand~ if we keep up the "Eye-tie" enthusiasm. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/devilgrin.gif
 
Re: Is a Fiat X1/9 acceptable in "other cars" gro

Which Lancia Beta model had a rear conv top & targa roof up front ?
Neighbor bought a new black one around 1980 when I was a kid.
 
Re: Is a Fiat X1/9 acceptable in "other cars" gro

Yep, an X1/9 with MR2 running gear WOULD be a nice car - but as I am a bit of a 'purist', I'm sticking with Lampredi's neat little SOHC 1300cc 4 cyl - runs like a Swiss watch!

cheers, Ian - NZ
 
Re: Is a Fiat X1/9 acceptable in "other cars" gro

DieselBrad673 said:
Which Lancia Beta model had a rear conv top & targa roof up front ?
Neighbor bought a new black one around 1980 when I was a kid.
Click to expand...

Was that the Scorpion? Wasn't a convertible, but there was some sort of sunroof, if I recall...
 
Re: Is a Fiat X1/9 acceptable in "other cars" gro

It was the Scorpion - it had a removable roof
panel,like a Porsche 914.

- Doug
 
Re: Is a Fiat X1/9 acceptable in "other cars" gro

I've got a pair of them myself. Oh, and two 124 spiders as well...... I hang out on xweb even more than I do here. 8)

Oh, and speaking of motor swaps, did anyone catch the x1/9 with the olds toronado drivetrain on ebay? Hideous. Positively hideous......
 
Re: Is a Fiat X1/9 acceptable in "other cars" gro

Hiya Eric, thought I recognised the signature from Xweb!!
I registered on this Forum a couple of years ago (when I owned a Brit Vauxhall Viva, as well as the X1/9) but didn't have much spare time to surf the Web when working. Now that I am retired :smile: I have more time to lurk into the various car Forums to catch up on the goss (if there is any).
Was keenly looking at a low mileage 124 Spider at one of our recent Euro Classic car shows. Was well priced but being LHD in New Zealand is a bit of a disadvantage. RHD conversions appear to be reasonably priced, but the inconvenience involved is a turn-off.
cheers, Ian - NZ
 
Re: Is a Fiat X1/9 acceptable in "other cars" gro

I am the original owner of my 73 124 Spider, great car but not as great as my 68 FIAT Dino Spider.

I did like the X1/9, had one for a short while also.
 
JamesWilson said:
As the proud owner of a Jensen-Healey I can affirm the effortless superiority of LBC rust....
Click to expand...

Even you have to admit that was below the belt. You compare to the absolutely worst, most rust prone British car ever built. Generally Italians rust much worse than Brits.
 
/bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/iagree.gif

...and I've th' data to prove it! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smirk.gif /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/jester.gif
 
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