Hopefully you are browsing through Ebay at the minute,looking to buy a Fiat X1/9.There are soo many reasons why you should,but get informed,and buy a good one,and you will be rewarded by many years of driving pleasure!

The Fiat (or more presicely the Bertone) X1/9 has come of age I believe.For years it was in the shadow of the more common "classics" such as the MGB and Spitfire.I'm not entirely sure why this is.Where else can you get a mid engined,two seat,open topped spots car for less than £1500 in good condition.I know all about the reputation for rust,but believe me,I've seen MG's and Spitfires in far worse condition,for far more money! As always the condition depends on how the car has been kept,and still today X1/9's turn up in pristine condition,with low miles and full history.

Of cours,they need to be bought carefully,as with any classic.Mechanically they are very straightforward and simple to service and repair.Much of the running gear is shared with other Fiats,and service parts are still readily availiable off the shelf.The car had a long production run,from 1972-1989,so there are quite a few out there! The earliest cars in the UK date from around 1977-these are identified by small quarter bumpers and a flat engine cover.Many feel these are the "purer" cars and are quite sought after in good condition.Beware though,some of the 1300 only parts are difficult to find,especially trim parts and bodywork unique to this model.You may come across a "Lido" which was a special edition based on the 1300.It had chrome quarter bumpers and white Alcantara (suede like) seats.They were all finished in metallic black.You may be very lucky to find one with a numbered sticker on the wing...

The more common X1/9 is the 1500. These were availiable in a few variations,but all had the same running gear.1500cc engine from the Strada and a 5 speed box.You can spot these by the huge American spec bumpers and a raised engine cover.They come in standard,VS-Versione Special- with leather seats,two tone paint and different alloys.The IN-two tone grey/silver with red leather,the SE-mica blue or red with cross spoke alloys,and the Gran Finale,same as SE with gran finale badging and quite possibly a rear spoiler.

In my experience with these cars,bodywork is all.Mechanical parts are cheap and easily availiable.The only things to watch out for here is a worn gearbox,which may crunch,usually 2nd or 3rd,or may jump out of reverse.Recon boxes are availiable,and second hand replacements are fairly plentiful.If you are gentle with the gearbox it should be trouble free,but make sure you use the correct oil,and check the level at every service.Electrics can be troublesome,but with a bit of patience,and a multimeter they can be fixed,and once done are very reliable.Most common problems here are bad earths,same as just about every Italian car! Also check the running temp on your test drive,the radiator is prone to clogging up,and there is quite a bit of heat generated due to the mid engine configuration,that the cooling system should be cared for properly.Use quality antifreeze all year round,and make sure it has been bled properly,failure to do this will lead to a blown head gasket.

Now...Bodywork.Big tip.Buy the earliest car you can find.May sound strange,but in the many I've seen and worked on,the quality of the steel used was far superior on the early cars.Of course this is a catch 22 situation,as early cars have had longer to rust,but if looked after they last far better! From the front,check the nosecone,it can corrode along the rear channel,and then take out the loose fitted carpet in the front "boot" look at the sides as there is a rust trap here,which may well have been plated already.Doors and wings rust out,but these should be obvious,inspect the bottom of the doors,they car rust pretty badly here,so get on your knees and check.Check the sills while you are there.Dead giveaway here is that there should be a seam running down from the rear edge of the door.If there isnt,its had a sill,or worse,a bodge repair.Now the bad bit.Rear arches corrode badly,but easily seen,more serious are the rear turrets-open the engine cover and check the turrets carefully these can rust badly and are very difficult to repair properly,probably the worst bit on the car to have problems,if its much more than cosmetic,walk away and find another.Now open the rear boot and look down into the corners,there is a mud trap here and you may see your toes!

The interior is obvious,but bear in mind the materials are unobtainable now,and will be expensive to restore properly.Leather is good quality,but tends to split at the seams,the rainbow material fitted to very late cars can be horrendous.It rots in the sun,and is probably the worst of the lot.If you aren't bothered about originality,just fit another set of seats and door panels from an earlier car or get them recovered.

You may find a car fitted with a bodykit and/or engine mods.The Uno Turbo engine is a popular conversion,and fairly easy to do.Bodykits are down to individual taste,just make sure they haven't been fitted to a shed,to make it look good,check as above,and be aware that some of the wheels fitted to the cars with wide kits spoil the handling,and eat wheel bearings.If they have been converted well,they can look brilliant,and improve on the original.Examples here are the Eurosport,Dallara,and Faran conversions.

Now if all the above check out,the car starts and drives well,and you are happy with the car and the seller,BUY IT! One day folk will recognise how great these little cars were (are) and maybe they will be taken more seriously.I use mine every day,it lives outside and gets no real special treatment,but when the suns out and the traffic's light,theres no car I'd rather be in!!!

Join the owners club,and if you need any info,mail me at tiffx19@googlemail.com   I'll be happy to help!