X getting a Christmas present

fto1982

Daily Driver
Greeting from northern Minnesota. After on and off again interest for the last 5 years in my '82 X, I have decided to get her presentable again. She goes in for body work and paint over the Christmas holidays. The local vo-tech auto body instructor does cars on the side and said he would take on my project. I have done 90% of the body after hitting a deer and body man is tweaking it. I am replacing the windshield, front and rear bumper top covers. Mechanically she's fine. I'm excited to get it back on the road. I plan to drive it during the summer months. I will keep you posted of the progress. Alan
 

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Hit a deer? Ouch...did that in our S10....that was bad enough. can't imagine doing that in an X.
It's looking pretty good already. Pretty darn nice Christmas present.
We understand the excitement. Our 81 should be out of the body shop next week and the 79 is in the garage for an over the winter marathon, trying to get it ready for paint in the spring. When you start seeing progress, the excitement builds quickly!
 
Update. Here is the progress on my x. I'm getting excited to drive it again!
 

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How did that late model Fiat 500 seat fit into your X1/9? It looks good in the picture and I was wondering how well it fit the car. I imagine that the seat would be too big but let us know.

Did you recover the original seats yourself? They look nice. Good luck getting your project complete.

George
 
The seats came out of a 2014 500L. I used the bottom frame from the original seats so I didn't have to modify the rails in the car. I cut about 2 inches of foam from the bottom cushion and it fit on the bottom frame quit well. I used the 500L frame for the back. I cut some metal out of the seat back frame to make the seat back thinner. Then I adapted the 500L recline mechanism to the original bottom frame. In the car ride height is about an inch higher. The back is also not as recessed as the originals, so the driving position is a more straight up. On the original seats, I did recover them seat myself with the covers from Vicks. I scrounged two original seats and used my original foam which is in great shape. I got the 500L seat really cheap so that is why I tinkered with them. Now I have two sets seat of seats I can use.
 

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Thanks for sharing the information about the seats Alan. Too bad they add an inch in height. I am not surprised by this but for me I need all the headroom I can get and the original seats give me just enough with nothing to spare. Those 500L seats look really good in the car though, dang! Are you happy with the upholstery from Vicks? The original seats your recovered look very nice. Have you done upholstery work before?

Take care, George
 
I'm very satisfied with the upholstery from Vicks. Very good quality and excellent price. It fit exactly right. There are 11 juke cords (you supply) that have to be attached to a square shaped metal wire and then the cords pulled and pierced by pointed tangs to the seat back bottom to get the recess in the seat back in place (clear as mud,right). It's kind of a pain but doable. I have never upholstered before.

Update: The X19 got painted last night. I have not seen yet. And I am also having the top wrapped with a design (not telling, it's a secret) which will be done next week. I'm starting to dream about it. Last night I had a nightmare that Mike Brewer used it for parts!

Alan
 
Funny that you mention Mike Brewer using your top for parts in your dream (nightmare maybe?). I like watching Wheeler Dealers. It is one of my favorite shows along with Jay Leno's Garage. I am sad that Ed China is not the mechanic on the show anymore though. Ed was great. Good luck with the paint job. I hope that it turns out good.

George
 
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X19 update; Body work done, surfacer on and blocked, gravel guard applied,and jambs in color. Paint should be wrapped up this week. I went with Chrysler charcoal pearl.
 

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I picked up the roof panel this afternoon. It turn out beautiful! I found the high res photo on the internet and Customstripes in town was able to print it and wrap it. I can't wait to see it on the car!
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X19 paint job looks great! Should be coming home Tuesday. I'll get started with reassembly. Waiting for new windshield from Safelite. The one they sent me was defective. The replacement should be her in two weeks.
 
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