General Hello from a newbie - What problems to look for?

[jsheathcote]

Hi All.

I'm Jay, a newbie having joined today.

A black 1300 X1/9 reg no. VDT373S was my first car at 16yo but unfortunately if fell apart far faster than I could afford to repair it and in the end never actually got to drive it, other than when it was being towed (my Dad had taken it to go to work and it cut out on him thanks to a faulty thermostatic switch).

I'm now eager to relive the dream I had and get behind the wheel of an X1/9 and drive it under its own steam.

I am now in search of a Fiat/Bertone X1/9 but would like a few tips on what to look out for when looking at prospective cars. I know rust can be a problem but what are the main areas to check. What other problematic areas are there that I should look out for?

Ideally I would love to get a Gran Finale in the deep blue colour, but I also love the lines of the original Lido. There was a bronze coloured 1300 X1 - T reg if I remember correctly - near my childhood home that I used to deliberately got out of my way to see and drool over.

Thanks for listening.

Jay

I'm off X1 hunting

 

[RS Pilot]

Having restored one 7 years ago I can tell you that they rust everywhere. I know the MoT guys check the box section in front of the engine between the intakes. In the owners club club, they talk about the turrets going though mine are perfect front and rear. The areas of rust that I sorted where around the radiator, behind the headlight pods, drivers door bottom and under the rear boot. These areas just had surface rust - no holes except boot floor. Everywhere else was very good but I still took it all down to bare metal before painting.

Mechanically, check the gearbox, specially for correct engagement of reverse. The engines are pretty strong and usually out last the cars. When you go and look at a car, take a fridge magnet with you to check for filler on the body panels. Many (in fact most) out there have been very badly bodged up to hide rust.

Have you checked out the owners club yet? It will pay for itself in reduced insurance premiums alone.

 

[sumplug]

strange but true,different colours rust in different areas! on the last ones,they can rust also at the top of the B post where the removeable top fits.make sure the box sections are fine.the middle ones carry the heater pipes and can rot through.scuttle around windscreen a fav for rotting,all wheel arches,inner wings,everywhere basically.as RS said,check out the owners club.if you ask,they will proberly know where good ones are for sale,and may even be willing to help out in checking a car out.good luck.