geekdaddy
X1/9 Learner's Permit...
Fellow Xweb folks. I've decided to sell my 81X after lovingly restoring it over the past six years (and most of it with YOUR help). Why??? Because it's finally alsmost exactly what I wanted and now it's reliable enough that I can drive it anywhere -- but I don't drive it as much as I'd like. I will replace it with something fun but a bit more modern and comfortable for occasional highway drives and hot/high-temps.
The Specifics...
1981 Fiat X1/9 with approximately 46,000 miles. As of 9/21 listed on BAT: https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1981-fiat-x1-9-3/
Acquired and restored over the past six years to keep overall OEM theme but improve performance and reliability.
Exterior trim removed and repainted exterior panels to match original paint which is still visible in the frunk, door sills, and engine compartment. Paint job is 5 years old and stunning. No overspray. No rust outside nor typical interior problem areas (trunk interior, trunk wells, strut towers, rockers, doors, headlight pods, etc.). New windshield installed during repaint.
Bosch FI 1500 Lampredi engine fitted with a MWB performance head, Allison’s header, and exhaust 3 years ago. New aluminum radiator, alternator, water pump, fuel/cooling hoses, thermostat and belts within the past five years. Custom re-built aluminum heatshields and insulation in the exhaust area below the trunk completed five years ago.
Transmission rebuilt (by SteveH) and a new clutch and lightened flywheel installed during the past year. More responsive and faster than stock although I haven’t dyno’d it.
Fuel tank replaced with rust-free version and new sender installed.
Interior redone in white vinyl to match the OEM look and keep cool in the summer. Gauge cluster redone with custom orange needles on white dials. Shortened shifter with Fiat shift knob. Momo style steering wheel. Leather shift and parking brake boots. Carpet redone two years ago with period correct MWB black loop and pad. HVAC controls have glowing tritium centers and fiber optic switchgear backlights replaced with brighter LEDs.
New KYB struts replaced four years ago and fitted with progressive eurosport springs and Plaia strut tower reinforcements. Plaia roller pivots replace OEM bushings on the front struts for lighter steering. Front control arms and bushings replaced three years ago and front anti-sway bar installed with Plaia mounts affixed to the frunk for optimal alignment.
Wheels are polished BWM sportstars with correct fiat cast centers. OEM CD-91 aluminum wheels also available.
Brown-wire mod implemented. Headlights, wipers, starter, and audio/sub running off auxiliary panel and relays to improve electrical performance and reduce ignition switch loads. USB power for rear camera and two driver/passenger phone chargers. Custom low-profile high-mount stop lamp provides additional rear visibility.
All interior and exterior lighting replaced with LED’s.
Digital audio system for AM, FM, Aux, and USB/MP3 capability. Two rear deck speakers and a subwoofer in the spare tire compartment. Functioning auto power antenna. No spare tire included.
Vehicle is tight, solid, and stable and tracks smoothly on the highway at 75MPH. Really.
Fully functional and cosmetically perfect with the following exceptions:
The Specifics...
1981 Fiat X1/9 with approximately 46,000 miles. As of 9/21 listed on BAT: https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1981-fiat-x1-9-3/
Acquired and restored over the past six years to keep overall OEM theme but improve performance and reliability.
Exterior trim removed and repainted exterior panels to match original paint which is still visible in the frunk, door sills, and engine compartment. Paint job is 5 years old and stunning. No overspray. No rust outside nor typical interior problem areas (trunk interior, trunk wells, strut towers, rockers, doors, headlight pods, etc.). New windshield installed during repaint.
Bosch FI 1500 Lampredi engine fitted with a MWB performance head, Allison’s header, and exhaust 3 years ago. New aluminum radiator, alternator, water pump, fuel/cooling hoses, thermostat and belts within the past five years. Custom re-built aluminum heatshields and insulation in the exhaust area below the trunk completed five years ago.
Transmission rebuilt (by SteveH) and a new clutch and lightened flywheel installed during the past year. More responsive and faster than stock although I haven’t dyno’d it.
Fuel tank replaced with rust-free version and new sender installed.
Interior redone in white vinyl to match the OEM look and keep cool in the summer. Gauge cluster redone with custom orange needles on white dials. Shortened shifter with Fiat shift knob. Momo style steering wheel. Leather shift and parking brake boots. Carpet redone two years ago with period correct MWB black loop and pad. HVAC controls have glowing tritium centers and fiber optic switchgear backlights replaced with brighter LEDs.
New KYB struts replaced four years ago and fitted with progressive eurosport springs and Plaia strut tower reinforcements. Plaia roller pivots replace OEM bushings on the front struts for lighter steering. Front control arms and bushings replaced three years ago and front anti-sway bar installed with Plaia mounts affixed to the frunk for optimal alignment.
Wheels are polished BWM sportstars with correct fiat cast centers. OEM CD-91 aluminum wheels also available.
Brown-wire mod implemented. Headlights, wipers, starter, and audio/sub running off auxiliary panel and relays to improve electrical performance and reduce ignition switch loads. USB power for rear camera and two driver/passenger phone chargers. Custom low-profile high-mount stop lamp provides additional rear visibility.
All interior and exterior lighting replaced with LED’s.
Digital audio system for AM, FM, Aux, and USB/MP3 capability. Two rear deck speakers and a subwoofer in the spare tire compartment. Functioning auto power antenna. No spare tire included.
Vehicle is tight, solid, and stable and tracks smoothly on the highway at 75MPH. Really.
Fully functional and cosmetically perfect with the following exceptions:
- Approximately four very small paint chips which were touched up on the edge of driver door (one front, one rear), left fender edge, and right fender edge.
- Small blemish on driver’s seat
- Requires additional accelerator assist for initial 30-45 secs of cold idle or will stall. Idles fine after that. Cold start injector, AAV, etc tested and functioning properly.
- Hi-beam indicator on dash works intermittently.
- Door chime and ignition chime not functional due to aftermarket ignition switch replacement.
- Driver rear control arm bushings replaced with OEM equivalents during trans install. Originals were still in relatively good condition. Passenger side rear control arm bushings not yet replaced.
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