Shown here with kind permission from Auto Italia. https://auto-italia.co.uk
X1/9 ownership isn’t as difficult as you may be lead to believe but there are a few things you need to bear in mind. Firstly don’t own one if you are an introvert. These are eye candy of the road and passersby will always notice it especially when the roof comes off. Those passersby will sometimes confuse it with a Triumph TR7. And prepare yourself for a barrage of unreliability remarks because it’s a Fiat.
Once you get over those hurdles the following won’t surprise anyone with a passion for an Italian car. Watch out for rust. The X1/9 has an ability to rust everywhere. Thankfully because they remain cheap in the classic Fiat line-up, the chances of finding a car packed with filler are now remarkably slim. The few examples left are mostly cherished or in need of a little TLC.
I’ve found no problems with mechanical problems. There is a good network of parts in the UK with Eurosport UK being my first call when I need something. Claire will help you out. She really is on our side. When it comes to working on the X1/9, get yourself into the mindset that this is an exotic car. It will help you overcome its strange compact layout that wasn’t designed for ease of maintenance.
Living with the X1/9 as a casual runner is surprisingly easy. At 6’1” I find no difficulty in getting in and out or getting comfortable behind the wheel. The cabin is snug but there is also an abundance of space to move, more-so with the roof off. Roof on can be a bit depressive. I can never understand owners who keep the top on even on short drives.
And driving the X1/9 can do. Despite its sporting credentials, the suspension is quite long in travel and most road surfaces are absorbed well. The 1500 with the 5 speed gearbox also helps make it a far more relaxed cruiser than the road testers of the day would have you believe. And don’t be fooled by that 85bhp engine output. It’s enough for the car to try and kill you if you don’t concentrate. You MUST concentrate when driving.
The 165 section tyres will catch out a lack of skill very quickly. The biggest hurdle I’ve had with the X1/9 is with tyre pressures. Once you feel at one with the X1/9 and you’ve learnt its ways, you’ll need no tyre sensors to be able to feel they are not right. You will be able to feel these are incorrect. The car communicates fluidly to you as a driver in reward for sheer motoring joy.
And now….One of the pictures that didn’t appear in the Auto Italia article. Can’t possibly work out why not?
