1983 Fiat X1/9: Disposable Sports Car #1
Right off the bat, the 1983 Fiat X1/9 is a mid-engined, wedge-shaped, Bertone-designed sports car. It has a life-off targa top, a 5-speed manual transmission and fuel injection. Even displacing just 1500cc, this car is so small and tossable that it will feel fast regardless of what the specification sheet says – so long as your ego can’t be bruised by being stomped at a traffic light by a 10 year-old Kia Spectra. Find this nice example here on Craigslist in Denver, Colorado for just $2550.
The Fiat X1/9 was released by Fiat in 1974 as a replacement for the aging but popular Fiat 850 Sport Spider – also designed by Bertone. Both served as the smaller younger brother to the Pininfarina-designed 124 (later the 2000) Spider. Where the 850 was rear-engined with displacement that maxxed-out at 903cc and styling from a bygone era, the X1/9 was 1970s chic and modern, looking like a 2/3 scale version of a contemporary Ferrari or Lamborghini, but for a fraction of that price (and with a fraction of the power).
X1/9s are good, scrappy handlers right out of the box – excellent balance and tight roadholding – but they came with small tires and could have used a bump in power. Luckily, upgrades were – and still are – available. Companies like Vick Autosports offer numerous upgrades for the X1/9 for street or track. Also available are full upholstery sets, which this car is going to need judging by the cheesy seat covers. The dash on this car looks to be in good condition, as far as I can tell from the small, somewhat grainy photo. A short-shift kit would be a nice add, given the yard-long shifter sprouting from between the seats.
Not unlike the dynamically similar Porsche 914, the X1/9 is remarkably roomy inside and can accommodate 6+ footers. Ingress and egress, however, can be a challenge if you have aging, achy joints like I do. The top is very easy to remove and replace, and is not nearly as temperamental as the targa tops on cars like the Porsche 911 – which can be finicky to fit and have a tendency to leak. The plasticky, angular dashboard is not to everyone’s taste, although I like it in a cool, retro sort of way, but a full set of gauges helps the driver focus on what is important.
Mechanically, X1/9s are fairly robust. Fiats often get a bad rap in the reliability department, and while they may require more care than, say, a Camry, for even the most remotely mechanically inclined care and feeding of an X1/9 is not rocket science. Most parts are readily available and very reasonably priced in comparison with many other European cars. If you have Ferrari tastes and a Wal Mart budget, the X1/9 may just fit your bill.
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Totally That Stupid – Car Geekdom, and a little bit of life. 
And, a pony keg will fit in the front trunk. Of course, no one would ever do that, and run the tap hose into the cabin. No one would do that. Never. Ever.
Have an 86 with multiple FAZA parts, Kumhos and a hot cam. Have had a beer after fixing/running it around, but lol when I read your posting. Rock on.
Beer capacity of the X 1/9.
Why do you ask?
Do I know you?
BTW: Front compartment- Pony Keg with ice (there’s a plug in the bottom to let the melt-water out) and two cases of long necks and two six packs between the cases in the tail compartment and if you slide the seats forward and tilt them back you can fit one case of cans standing behind each seat and till drive comfortably.
I forget how many ounces of beer that was…
Car: Almost made the mistake of buying a TR-8 pile of junk, instead bought the X 1/9 new in 1980 cream interior and Sangue Rosso Metallico exterior Me: Flannel shirt, blue jeans, and a Magnum PI ‘stache and long hair (hey, it was the ’80s).
If I ever win the Lotto- I’m gonna’ order a body in white from Bertone….
Dad bought a 1974 for “fun” around the time I started driving in 1979. I think I took it out for a drive 4 times and it died twice. It was a POS , we were nearly always replacing some part.
I’m amazed the mid 70’s models aren’t included in a few of the worst ever Car lists found on line.
Alex. S. indiana
Alex you needed a better mechanic, The X1/9 is one of the best cars ever. Mine only has 246K miles.
Had an 1982 X that I bought new, racked up 140K miles over 10 years, never broke, always started right up, great car, loads of fun. The only thing I had to do on a yearly basis was the brakes, front and rear, which I learned to do in under an hour for little $$. I drove this car HARD and she never let me down. Also had an 81 years later, I bought it in FL where it was parked close to the ocean and the previous owner added a snap-in vinyl roof. The screwed in snaps weren’t sealed very well and the windshield frame rusted out, and this one had close to 200K when I sold it. A word of advice, change the timing belt, it’s cheap and easy, I had one let go on me, it left me stranded, but there was no damage to the engine.
I want another one please