8 replies to this topic

[ibby4585]

Anybody ever had one of these?

I've been offered a non runner for free,I've not seen it, but a mate says it's a little rusty but not too bad.

I thinks it's a 1500 version

What should I look out for?

[MrBounce]

Rust, rust and rust.

That and engine bodges as everything is difficult to get to. Leaking roof. Interior bits difficult to come by. And being 70s Italian the electrics will need to be looked at.

They're brilliant fun to drive though so if it's half decent, go for it.

[DomCr250]

We had one back in the '80's - great little car.

 

As just said, they rust to bits and the plastics and trim typically Fiat.  Front end chassis legs, windscreen skuttle, sills and door skins were typical rust traps on cars that were only a few years old.

 

Becoming collectible now and I suspect will be a bit like the early 500's are now in a few years ..

[ibrooks]

RUST - so fast you can practically see it forming. Minis are a dream in comparison. The engine feels a little gutless for what should be a sporty car but then given the age........ I like the concept (hence my GTM Coupe) but I wouldn't have an X1/9 personally having spent way too long welding one in the past.

 

Iain

[ibby4585]

Cheers guys, I went to view it and although it's free damn theres a lot of work too much for me so he is scrapping it.

Kris

[sonikk4]

When you did some decent tuning on the engine it was quite nippy but as mentioned rust was a killer. You could buy a body kit that basically would cut out the lower section of the car ( certainly out of sight) but I dread to think about anyone of them fitted with this as to what was hiding underneath.

I saw one in our Motor a Club in 84, tuned up the ying yang but the rust was deeply embedded. Some angle grinder work, rivets and adhesive later it had said body kit. Looked good but no way would I have gone anywhere near it.

[MR J]

Yep, rust rust rust! If you're after a nice mid engined 70s/80s  car have a look at Mk1 MR2's they're cheap as chips and they only rust rust.

[MrBounce]

A friend and her (now ex) husband had one. It was one of the last limited edition models and in surprisingly good condition having been garaged for most of its life. He had just topped up the oil and cleaned up the area around the filler cap. He then had a moment of brain fade, having left the rag on top of the rocker cover (with the oil cap still off), he started the car. The engine said "thank very much om nom nom nom" and then unsurprisingly stopped. That, apparently, was an expensive fix...

[rids]

a friend bought one at an auction once. really good condition, drove really well , but when he got it home and went for reverse to put it in the garage it wasn't there!!! buyer beware, new gearbox was needed...