I've had half a dozen X1/9's, from my first car, a 1974, to a race prepped 1980 that I kept until the late 1990's. An X1/9 was my daily driver for more than 10 years. These are incredibly fun to drive. The steering is almost "go cart" like at speed, literally point and it goes there. The brakes are amazingly good. The ride isn't terrible, despite the small tires. The engine wants to rev. Sure, it'll take you 8 seconds to get to 60mph, but it feels a lot faster because you are so engaged in the process. If you're driving in the winter, you have a heating system designed for a big sedan to keep you warm (you could drive the car with the roof off, even on the coldest days!). By 1979, they fixed the rampant rusting issues. And, I can say that I never had a leaking roof in any of my cars, and they were parked outside every day and night.
No electronic ignition in UK cars from factory & the later cars were much better rust protected. Otherwise thanks for a positive review of our fabulous little cars.
Brilliant car, I had one in the early 1980’s, my sister had the later model with the 1.5 engine. Very prone to rust though, it eventually became too expensive to fix so I gave it away.
Yeah. Not exactly true that there was nothing else like it, is it - at least not after 1984 - because then there was something exactly like it. Styling was like it, engine placement was like it, two seats, RWD, great handling, telepathic steering and with a revvy 16valver, Japanese build quality and reliability and easy to live with on a daily basis. You should do a review of that next, for comparison...
mate of mine had one in silver and red interior. we used to car share, I had a Mk1 Astra GTE, he had an X19. which he never locked. His theory being, if someone going to nick it at least the door locks won't get mangled...😂
Ive fancied an X/19 probably since i was a teenager un the 90's. The eaelier solit bumper 1300 in lime green would be my choice but cery rare now (id hate that colour on mist other cars but looks great on the X1/9). I dare say the later Fiat ot Bertone 1500 with five spewd gearbix are probably a better bet. I remember someone local to me in the eaely 90's had one with what I think may jave been a Delara bidy kit.
Umm, the AW14 MR2 came out in '84. More powerful, better handling, better built. One of the best handling cars ever built. Sadness of the X1/9 was that the twin cam SuperMiriafori driveline (with a front wheel drive gearbox) fitted. That was the setup that the X1/9 deserved
I had a light blue left-hand drive X1/9 back in the day, seeing the condensation on the windows on that cold wet day brought back many memories'. Mine used to seep water from the so called heater and would get damp feet after a while. But hey what a head turner it was and so much fun to drive.
I had one in the 80's. Loved it but unfortunately died of rust. I've watched your Bentley Turbo R road trip. Recently acquired one. In restoration at the moment. 😢
My Dad bought the one in green back in 1979. I was 17 and learning to drive. My dad being a good dad allowed me to put L plates on and drive it everywhere we went. Now 63 I still crave to own one. I have driven many cars in my life but none of them have given me the pleasure the x1/9 did. Is it me !!!!!!? My 2 boys don't get it. This car you drove, cars today don't give me that feeling. As for the wife..... let's not go there.🤷😁
6'5" tall, and fit fine. The cars built from 1979 onwards had a redesigned interior, which makes them a really tight fit for people over 6' tall. The earlier cars are no problem at all, although you do have to splay your knees a bit around the steering wheel if your pants leg dimension is more than 34".
@@berwhaletheavenger Hmmmm, ok. My old neighbour had an X1/9 and replaced it with an MR2. The X1/9 had some rust at five years old, the MR2 was terminally rotten at 5 years old and scrapped at 6. The X1/9 lived on until it was crashed into at 8 years old.
Ive had 2 X19s...and 3 MR2S MK1 MK2 AND MK3. The fiat was a dog and a rot box and with 85bhp couldnt pull jimmy saville off your little angel.. not 1 of the mr2s where rotton. And even the mk1 with its gorg 7,600 rpm twin cam 16v unit with 128 bhp destroyed it..... AND NOT A SIGN OF ROT ANYWHERE
I used one as a daily driver from 1987-1992; absolute most unreliable car on the planet, beating even my previous Alfa Alfetta (which took some doing). Literally nearly killed me once when it broke down on the motorway... never again anything italian...
Quite nice looking in the original form but really, they were little more than landfill, typical rot prone unreliable seventies Fiat junk. Toyota showed a few years later with the MR2 how it should be done.
The MR2 came out in the late 1980's, about 10-12 years after the X1/9 was introduced. If you squint a bit, you can also see a bit of a resemblance to the Porsche 914, which came out a couple of years before the X1/9. There's also the 1984 TR8 Targa, which shares similar styling and size. On the bigger side, you'll also see a familial resemblance in the Lamborghini Jalpa, Ferrari 308 Targa, and the Lancia Beta Montecarlo/Scorpion.
Sorry guys but most of those in America went right to the scrap yard when the engines failed, like most cheap italian imports here do. Glad you had better luck but still,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Where I live they rusted out before the engines failed. Their owners kept them on the street, unlike Ferrari owners. So I guess it was a money issue plus terrible weather and salt. I don't understand your logic - you say owners scrapped their cars when the engines failed, despite the engines generally are regarded as bulletproof if properly maintained. Could be you live somewhere dusty and dry?
I’ve owned an X19 for almost 40 years. Bought new in 86. Still have it and it runs like a champ. So much fun to drive. No one knows what it is
Congrats to your great car. We love the X19 in the 70s and 80s - and today it is a head turner
I've had half a dozen X1/9's, from my first car, a 1974, to a race prepped 1980 that I kept until the late 1990's. An X1/9 was my daily driver for more than 10 years. These are incredibly fun to drive. The steering is almost "go cart" like at speed, literally point and it goes there. The brakes are amazingly good. The ride isn't terrible, despite the small tires. The engine wants to rev. Sure, it'll take you 8 seconds to get to 60mph, but it feels a lot faster because you are so engaged in the process. If you're driving in the winter, you have a heating system designed for a big sedan to keep you warm (you could drive the car with the roof off, even on the coldest days!). By 1979, they fixed the rampant rusting issues. And, I can say that I never had a leaking roof in any of my cars, and they were parked outside every day and night.
Mate had one in the 80s, great fun to drive. Love the reverse tacho too. A superb affordable classic.
No electronic ignition in UK cars from factory & the later cars were much better rust protected. Otherwise thanks for a positive review of our fabulous little cars.
I had an X1/9 many years ago. It was a lime green Corgi model 🤣
Great looking car, especially the early skinny bumper ones. I assume that this being a later example will be a 1.5 with around 85bhp.
Brilliant car, I had one in the early 1980’s, my sister had the later model with the 1.5 engine. Very prone to rust though, it eventually became too expensive to fix so I gave it away.
Yeah. Not exactly true that there was nothing else like it, is it - at least not after 1984 - because then there was something exactly like it. Styling was like it, engine placement was like it, two seats, RWD, great handling, telepathic steering and with a revvy 16valver, Japanese build quality and reliability and easy to live with on a daily basis. You should do a review of that next, for comparison...
Forgot to mention what that car was.
@@3ducs I thought the clues would give it away but, if not, I was referring to the Toyota MR2 AW11... :o)
@@paulelverstone8677 Mister Two is a great car!
Also could come with a supercharger.
Ahhh. . .
The Fiero
My first car, drove it for 7 years. It was loads of fun.
In the 70s and 80s were also other exotic cheap cars: the Matra Murena was o9ne of my favorites. And the beautiful Renault Alpine A310!!!
mate of mine had one in silver and red interior. we used to car share, I had a Mk1 Astra GTE, he had an X19. which he never locked. His theory being, if someone going to nick it at least the door locks won't get mangled...😂
The most fun you can have with your pants on!
I noticed the Lancia Stratos pop-up headlamps and the Lotus Esprit S1 taillight assembly in there.
And then in the 90s the fiat coupe 20vt came along and blow away every bit of
competition with its insane performance and looks!
Ive fancied an X/19 probably since i was a teenager un the 90's.
The eaelier solit bumper 1300 in lime green would be my choice but cery rare now (id hate that colour on mist other cars but looks great on the X1/9).
I dare say the later Fiat ot Bertone 1500 with five spewd gearbix are probably a better bet.
I remember someone local to me in the eaely 90's had one with what I think may jave been a Delara bidy kit.
I worked with a guy who had one in the late 1980s. Took them a year to get necessary engine parts shipped to the US.
Brilliant little car!
Umm, the AW14 MR2 came out in '84. More powerful, better handling, better built. One of the best handling cars ever built. Sadness of the X1/9 was that the twin cam SuperMiriafori driveline (with a front wheel drive gearbox) fitted. That was the setup that the X1/9 deserved
Bertone was just the employer of the man, the legend, Marcello Gandini.
I had a light blue left-hand drive X1/9 back in the day, seeing the condensation on the windows on that cold wet day brought back many memories'. Mine used to seep water from the so called heater and would get damp feet after a while. But hey what a head turner it was and so much fun to drive.
I had one in the 80's. Loved it but unfortunately died of rust.
I've watched your Bentley Turbo R road trip. Recently acquired one. In restoration at the moment. 😢
Driving an X19 in the rain. Is that wise?
It didn't *seem* to rust any more...
Waxoil helps
My Dad bought the one in green back in 1979. I was 17 and learning to drive. My dad being a good dad allowed me to put L plates on and drive it everywhere we went. Now 63 I still crave to own one. I have driven many cars in my life but none of them have given me the pleasure the x1/9 did. Is it me !!!!!!? My 2 boys don't get it. This car you drove, cars today don't give me that feeling. As for the wife..... let's not go there.🤷😁
I had a 1.5 X19 for a few years back in in 90’s, was great fun but very underpowered
Fun little car but how can you see where you're going with all that mist on the windows?
Love the X1/9 and no rust issues in Australia, but did you not get the Toyota MR2 in Britain? That was its principle alternative here.
My 79 1.5 required a complete rustcut out and respray by 81! Untouchable in the twisties but boy did the front end lift at over 100mph
Another good video 👍👍👍👏👏👏
You could install.a Leyland Princess 2200 inline six with Transmission in the back of the x19
You wouldn't drive your Ferrari in the rain though. Come to think of it I wouldn't drive my X1/9 in the rain either. It is Italian.
March-ello. Not Marsello
I always wanted an X1/9, but I could not properly fit in it. I am 6'4" and the car just did not have enough leg room for me, unfortunately.
The Fiat might be great with a Hydra Gas suspension
Baby Ferrari that is HUUUUUGGGGEEEE STRETCH.
Wanted to buy one back in the 80s….unfortunately, I’m over 6 foot tall, so couldn’t fit inside!
6'5" tall, and fit fine. The cars built from 1979 onwards had a redesigned interior, which makes them a really tight fit for people over 6' tall. The earlier cars are no problem at all, although you do have to splay your knees a bit around the steering wheel if your pants leg dimension is more than 34".
Do any of his shirts have buttons?
The DVLA hs this, and a much later one, still listed as a Fiat.
You showed the wrong Ferrari 308 😉
Shame the one you used was a real rough dog, so much overspray 😮
Then the Toyota MR2 came along and showed how it was done.
Yet ironically rotted away as quick as an X1/9...
@@paulrenowden8617 Wrong. The Fiats were rotting at less than a year old.
@@berwhaletheavenger Hmmmm, ok. My old neighbour had an X1/9 and replaced it with an MR2. The X1/9 had some rust at five years old, the MR2 was terminally rotten at 5 years old and scrapped at 6. The X1/9 lived on until it was crashed into at 8 years old.
Ive had 2 X19s...and 3 MR2S MK1 MK2 AND MK3.
The fiat was a dog and a rot box and with 85bhp couldnt pull jimmy saville off your little angel.. not 1 of the mr2s where rotton.
And even the mk1 with its gorg 7,600 rpm twin cam 16v unit with 128 bhp destroyed it..... AND NOT A SIGN OF ROT ANYWHERE
@@clivebrackstone1896 THANKS FOR SHOUTING AT ME. COULDN'T UNDERSTAND OTHERWISE.
It looks more like a fiero than a Ferrari
I used one as a daily driver from 1987-1992; absolute most unreliable car on the planet, beating even my previous Alfa Alfetta (which took some doing). Literally nearly killed me once when it broke down on the motorway... never again anything italian...
Don’t drive it in the wet. Like it’s on ball bearings
I'm astonished the owner let you take that out in the rain. you can almost see it rusting as you drive
That title is a bit of a stretch …..
Baby Ferrari is not the most original line.
Quite nice looking in the original form but really, they were little more than landfill, typical rot prone unreliable seventies Fiat junk. Toyota showed a few years later with the MR2 how it should be done.
It looks to me like a Fiat version of the Toyota MR2 Mk1.
X1/9 came out way before the MR2. The MR2 took inspiration from the X1/9.
The MR2 came out in the late 1980's, about 10-12 years after the X1/9 was introduced. If you squint a bit, you can also see a bit of a resemblance to the Porsche 914, which came out a couple of years before the X1/9. There's also the 1984 TR8 Targa, which shares similar styling and size. On the bigger side, you'll also see a familial resemblance in the Lamborghini Jalpa, Ferrari 308 Targa, and the Lancia Beta Montecarlo/Scorpion.
Sorry guys but most of those in America went right to the scrap yard when the engines failed, like most cheap italian imports here do.
Glad you had better luck but still,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Where I live they rusted out before the engines failed.
Their owners kept them on the street, unlike Ferrari owners.
So I guess it was a money issue plus terrible weather and salt.
I don't understand your logic - you say owners scrapped their cars when the engines failed, despite the engines generally are regarded as bulletproof if properly maintained.
Could be you live somewhere dusty and dry?
Worked on th3se when new, NOT a Ferrari , its a cheap and chearful somewhat unreliable fix it again tony.