1979 Brown X in Chicagoland

JimD said:
Yes, it is getting more difficult to find a solid X at a reasonable price
Click to expand...
I'm not convinced that there is an acute shortage of nice cars, it's only the definition of reasonableness that those of us that have been around these cars for a good long time assign to them. Even if you found that perfect project car for free, and you can handle every aspect of restoration, including paint, interior, and all the mechanicals yourself, where do you think you'd end up with the cost of parts and materials. Forget the non-driving time involved and the hundreds of free labor hours you'll donate because we all fool ourselves into believing it's a labor of love. So, if that pristine example shows up on your radar for less that a competently restored car would run is it unreasonable? If the pristine example costs less than some high mile, beat to crap, Civic is the price unreasonable? What is unreasonable, but beneficial for a lot of us is how undervalued these cars have been. Things have changed, but I'm not in the camp of "unreasonable", I just think the pricing of late reflects what is actually reasonable for a nicely preserved X. In the world of affordable "classics" they are still are bargain.
 
Although I DO think there is a shortage of nice cars everything else you said is what I've been saying for years. These cars have been so cheap for so long people here have a hard time adjusting to what has been going on in the rest of the market. Average Toyota MR2 Turbos are going for $35k. "Affordable" used sports car prices have been going up a lot because unless you want a Miata there aren't any new ones and the market's not big enough for the manufacturers to bother with. They got bigger problems, like Tesla...
 
jimmyx said:
I'm not convinced that there is an acute shortage of nice cars, it's only the definition of reasonableness that those of us that have been around these cars for a good long time assign to them. Even if you found that perfect project car for free, and you can handle every aspect of restoration, including paint, interior, and all the mechanicals yourself, where do you think you'd end up with the cost of parts and materials. Forget the non-driving time involved and the hundreds of free labor hours you'll donate because we all fool ourselves into believing it's a labor of love. So, if that pristine example shows up on your radar for less that a competently restored car would run is it unreasonable? If the pristine example costs less than some high mile, beat to crap, Civic is the price unreasonable? What is unreasonable, but beneficial for a lot of us is how undervalued these cars have been. Things have changed, but I'm not in the camp of "unreasonable", I just think the pricing of late reflects what is actually reasonable for a nicely preserved X. In the world of affordable "classics" they are still are bargain.
Click to expand...
I agree with everything that you just stated. Lest we forget: There are a LOT of cars, sitting forgotten in sheds, barns, garages throughout the US. I once read of all the 160k+ X 1/9s built, around 100k were sent to the US, accoriding to the Wiki article:

"While over 100,000 of the approximately 160,000 X1/9s produced by FIAT and Bertone were sold in the USA and Canada, a mere fraction of that number remain on the roads of those two countries. The latest available figures are from the fall of 2018, at which time 1,034 X1/9s were legally plated for road operation in the USA and 115 were legally plated for road operation in Canada." (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiat_X1/9).

A stunning rate or attrition, if we look at things in a sober way. I like to optimistically theorize that there are another 3-5k non-running, or not road registered X 1/9s sitting forgotten, mostly in states like Cali, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Texas, Fla., etc. waiting to show up on CL, eBay, etc. They do tend to pop up every once in a while.

Other side of the coin? I'm surprised that 764 Lamborghini Miura were built! I though there were so many fewer made.

The X does offer staggering value for money, but like my MG Midget, it is a very tiny market in the classic car world. Few enthusiasts knows these cars exist compared to a '67 Mustang GT fastback, a Porsche 356, or '69 427 Corvette where many more people are clamoring to get one, even though many more were made vs. the X.

All so interesting to ponder.
 
The thing of most concern is parts/vendors. What are there, worldwide, of consequence - six? And how old are the vendors? As long as they’re healthy then we’re all good, right? Did you hear that guys - eat better and reduce stress. :)
 
This one just sold a week or so ago for $3K. Has been in the original owners garage for 15 years with no activity. Even if it takes $7K in mechanicals, someone ends up with a very nice car for $10K.174685702_4492265460784268_4269651083035216048_n.jpg

194423169_4492265620784252_2098069964673191913_n.jpg

217043947_4492265600784254_3531037973199630788_n.jpg

173470385_4492265467450934_2709810981527434977_n.jpg

191868074_4492265410784273_7303001344430778153_n.jpg

180263053_4492265440784270_7207372626855874171_n.jpg

217003668_4492265417450939_2310890755178869862_n.jpg
 
jimmyx said:
This one just sold a week or so ago for $3K. Has been in the original owners garage for 15 years with no activity. Even if it takes $7K in mechanicals, someone ends up with a very nice car for $10K.View attachment 50224

View attachment 50225

View attachment 50226

View attachment 50227

View attachment 50228

View attachment 50229

View attachment 50230
Click to expand...
I agree. Cleeeean.

If it had "Porsche" on the nose, it would be probably $30k. 914s are going for insane money now. Never thought I'd see the day!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top