Real Road Test: Fiat X1/9 - Pure Driving Joy!

The Fiat X1/9 began life as an Autobianchi A112 Runabout concept by Marcello Gandini at Bertone. When concept became reality, a truly delightful sportscar was born. Thanks to X1/9 Owners' Club for inviting me along to their rally. Look out for the test car sneaking into a future video! www.x1-9ownersclub.org.uk/
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[@plym1969]

Hubnut at his absolute best! Ian really knows his stuff and his enthusiasm is infectious! Brilliant!

[@peterriggall8409]

Yep. 👍😁😛

[@johnmiller9024]

Indeed

[@karlos543]

Many moons ago I had a late model and the previous owner had fitted a 2 ltr Lancia engine with twin Weber 40s. It was an absolute beast. The gear linkage was a work of art, lots of rose joints. Wish I still had it and not had a child!

[@joejoejoejoejoejoe4391]

Have you told your kid that?

[@taunuslunatic404]

Cars are cheaper than children.

[@lyndonscott3528]

Sounds amazing, I had a standard X1/9 81 reg 5 speed, I absolutely loved that car, much better than most of the performance cars I've had since! Miss my Fiat still and I'm 60 now😒

[@skozra]

Not seen an X1/9 in years, i'd love one !

[@joejoejoejoejoejoe4391]

Perhaps now you'd be able to afford the insurance...

[@StevesMachines]

I love these, I have a few toy cars still from when I was a kid. The Green with black decals is the best paint scheme IMHO 👌

[@pashakdescilly7517]

When Autocar magazine was planning to get an eary X1/9 as a long-term test car, they considered all the colours. The red was entirely wrong for Italian racing red, and they chose green with black interior - and added a Ferrari transfer high on the front wings near the winscreen.

[@golden.lights.twinkle2329]

The US models never came in that green colour, never had the black decals and those three-spoke alloys weren't available. Which is all a shame as I loved the look of that UK model. My 1974 was chocolate brown and had steel wheels.

[@KiwiStag74]

Man did THAT one bring back some memories! At the time I bought my Alfa, my future Brother-In-Law bought an X1/9. It was a '78 1300 4-speed and had done 53,000 miles. I liked the car, but it looked very impractical - boy was I to eat my words in the years that followed and I even did my weekly shopping in it once because he was working on the Alfa for me! She was a mid-blue metallic and had been resprayed several times before he bought it. We found out why several years later when we did the inevitable body repairs.... As you alluded to in your test drive, Ian, the car was unfazed by corners, bumps, undulations, wrong or changing camber, rough road surfaces - the car just lapped it up and waited for more. The only time I ever saw him come unstuck was when he entered a roundabout to take the third exit, but the offside of the roundabout sloped away and it had a slow seep of clay-infused surface water running down it from the grass-filled centre of the circle. He went in at his usual 30mph, swung the wheel and the X1/9 swapped ends immediately then stopped dead. He looked through his passenger window at me and laughed, keyed the ignition, turned hard right, flicked her tail and went the way he was originally intending. Such was his confidence in the car that he used to look at the speed signs advising what velocity to take a corner and drive around them at the same number of MPH. Being a passenger when someone takes a 70km/h corner at 70mph is an experience, but never once did the X1/9 put a foot wrong. Although I could never drive it that extreme, the car was indeed lovely to drive and that little soundtrack (with its high pitched whistle descant) was very intoxicating and seemed to almost dare you to push that pedal down further. Not even loose metal roads could upset the balance on that little car and it certainly went on a few. The engine and box was eventually replaced with a 1500 and 5-speed. This seemed to suit the car better from the point of view of power to weight and then economy at the top end. He eventually bought himself an E21 BMW 323i with the dogleg manual box and we set to stripping and sorting the X1/9, which he wanted to keep also. Suffice to say there was so little metal under the paint and many layers of filler, primer and topcoat, that she just got a repeat of the same (although we did use fibreglass rather than putty else the doors would have weighed a ton!) and was sent down the road. He loved his 3-series, but to me it was not half as much fun as the X1/9.

[@pagegreer5081]

With the back camera mount you could see how fun it was to drive!

[@scottishcarenthusiastsandtrain]

Hubnut needs one of these on the fleet, you certainly enjoyed driving this. Now away to dig out the MGF for a wee Hoon in it's last week of ownership with me

[@nutski01]

I couldn't help but hear Matt Monro singing "On Days Like These" watching Ian Hooning around the Welsh country roads. Definitely an Italian Job

[@pokdub2703]

Yes, he missed a great trick there

[@stephenholland5930]

Just watch out for that bulldozer!

[@bpsorrel]

Very appropriate as it was designed by the same guy who penned the beautiful Miura.. :)

[@robertmaitland09]

The Welsh Job!

[@jeremytaylor4458]

Gorgeous cars. I recall that when the 1500 was launched (1981?) CAR magazine drove a metallic red one like this down to the south of France, which made for a fantastic article. Then they had a competition and gave one away, together with hotel accommodation so the winner could retrace their story. It must have been a great prize, for whoever won it (sadly not me - I did try!).

[@byronmills5952]

I still remember that article very well too. I also entered the competition..I didn't win it either! 😂

[@stepheng8779]

I hope that green one is the one I used to stare at lovingly as a child every day as I walked past the Fiat garage on my way to school 😂 It disappeared one day to be replaced by an orange one, as achingly gorgeous and I just wanted to grow up. The big bumpers kinda spoilt the look but not the dream 👍

[@danmccarthy4700]

Honestly, I wasn't at all disappointed you couldn't test it on a motorway. I just loved watching you gleefully punt it down roads it was made for.

[@grantbowie3561]

I had the earlier 1300cc X-19. Best car I ever owned for fun. I have owned 6.3ltr Mercedes and Toyota Land Cruiser, but the most used was the Bert. Once while out driving on a dirt road the clutch became harder and harder to use and the car ground to a halt. I opened the engine cover to see anything wrong. a stone had flipped up onto the engine and jammed the slave cylinder. I was out spear fishing and had a 5 barbed spear with me. The engine was too hot to touch so I used the spear to clutch the rock and removed it. had some really weird looks from passerby’s as they saw me attacking the engine with a spear.

[@johnmiller9024]

That sheep was admiring you and your X1/9 as you went hooning past

[@_Junkers]

I've never seen those pre federal bumpers. The design seems much more charming with them.

[@The-Rectifier]

I've owned a 1981 1500 5sp, light mettalic blue with cognac leder trim. Regrettably in 1986...a German Beemer driver, overlooked me and rear ended me on the motorway( near Werl), will i was driving a moderate 170km/ hr....the next thing i remember....was waking up in the Hospital. Lucky ive escape with only minor injuries. The X1/9....however, was a total loss. That little Fiatari, have still a big place in my heart.🤩

[@neilwalsh4058]

Thought I might have seen one of my old cars there, as I owned 19 of those between 1995 and 2004. 19 X1/9's in 19 years, all of the 19's! Good to see Mr Hubnut finally seen the light and is fast becoming a FIAT fan. Adoring the little Bertone genius and now owns a Multipla. 💡

[@martinda7446]

Neil that is some record! How is it you don't have No.20? Just because you muck up the number sequence? Don't buy a Mini 1000 .. or Mitsubishi Zero for that matter. (I know it has wings, but it was that or a Point Six of something or other)

[@ohshitnotanotherknob]

That's commitment the the model!

[@neilwalsh4058]

@@martinda7446 those were good days, could pick decent ones up for £300, minters for a grand. Had ever model apart from a standard 1300cc too. Lido, VS, Gran Finale, both Fiat badged early 1500's and later Bertone badged models.

[@robingray1302]

A sublime piece of KZbinry !!! I guessed you enjoyed that, I had one for 18 years, it was my main car for much of that time and definately one of the most entertaining yet, as you say surprisingly practical, now I REALLY want another one (without the rampant rust problems that finally led to the demise of my first one....)

[@ianedmonds9191]

Rust is such an evil ender of so many great relationships with cars over the years. We should petition the government to move to just grit and get rid of the salting of our roads. Sorry for your loss. Luv and Peace.

[@AndykSuper2]

Buy one Ian...it would make a great project. Edit, this is one of the best videos you've done too. Your enthusiasm is infectious.

[@seandoole6504]

I think most of us had as much fun riding along as you did driving it. Tremendous!

[@robandys6109]

The fiat engine designed by lampredi is an amazing engine ,I had one that did over 100,000 miles reved beyond the limit everyday for over 7 years

[@vtwin6683]

After watching Harry's Garage this morning in his Project 7 in France it's uncanny how similar this video is! Although it looks like you had more fun 😄 great video Ian 👍

[@TRJx86]

particularly after Harry ended up down that gravel road with the dead end... did not envy him there hahaa

[@downesy68]

I’ve literally just watched these two videos in succession as well 😂

[@dave.harmon]

That looked an obscene amount of fun.

[@MCallsen]

Someone had massive fun :D Yay!!

[@adamtoms2726]

Just goes to show how good those 70's and 80's Fiat's were. Certainly one of my all time favourite card the X1/9. Glad to see you enjoyed it.

[@golden.lights.twinkle2329]

Great until they need repairs.

[@Paddy3443]

What a lovely wedge! I only learnt about this car a few years ago and was so amazed, such great colours too.

[@iconicshrubbery]

I could look at that car ALL DAY (if I imagine it without those bumpers) 3:38 beautiful turquoise one in the backgound

[@BarryAllenMagic]

I know you are an extremely accomplished driver HubNut; having test driven numerous cars over many years. However, that particular test drive was just a little bit extra special - brilliant mate! These cars are indeed a superb icon of 70's/80's uniqueness......gorgeous-looking little beasts. 👍

[@alan-sk7ky]

He knows those roads like they proverbial back of hand. He used to live just over the mountains a bit, a lot of early road tests were conducted round there, having blatted motorbikes up and down the Elan valley more than a couple of times they are nice driving, lots of good sight lines allowing more 'committed' cornering, the over the little bridge sweep right and up the hill left over crest 'blind' gentle right then sharpish left, on, on, to the tee junction where went left down hill is particularly rewarding on a bike iirc. ;-)

[@raye402]

What a well sorted test for this Italian car Such a surprise it’s as good on undulating roads as it is on straight line flat routes Hubnut you’ve really presented it to its best advantage ! Once again an interesting review from the man who knows -Hubnut !! 👍🇬🇧👏

[@gryfandjane]

What a delightful route for Fiat flinging. Excellent episode! As a Midget owner, I can see how these little Italians made the traditional British offerings of the day look like oxcarts. Regards as always from the USA.

[@danieleregoli812]

Proper sportscar that is. Such fun to drive! Proof that it's not always about size!

[@GSimpsonOAM]

My father bought one identical to the green 1300 (1978) in the mid 90's. Now owned by my sister. We fitted a FAZA fast road cam and a carb off a Lancia 1600 motor. Rev it as hard as you like. They can take it. They have high cornering limits but watch it in the wet, When they let go, they let go big time. (ask my father) Light and nimble. My Lotus Esprit seems a brute by comparison

[@nickmoore2301]

Wow this has brought back some memories, we used to have one of these in the early 80's when I was a kid 👍It was a 1300 4 speed on a 'S' plate, bronze with the black "ladder" stripe down the side, like the green one in your video, I remember being taken down to Penbryn Beach, my mum driving and me in the passenger seat with our 2 dogs, they weren't small dogs either 😂 Fond memories of my dad in his purple roll neck jumper and mustard corderoy trousers driving through the welsh countryside with the roof down 😊 We sold it to replace it with something more practical, a Mini 😂

[@MrOvershoot]

Had one in the mid 80's early 1.5 sold it to a friend who kept it for at least 10 years! He was also courting my sister at the time, I seem to remember him getting her drunk and she threw up all over the centre console 😲 I think the amour disappeared from the relationship at that point 😄

[@garrylawless3550]

I've always loved the Fiat X19, and remember when they were quite common on the road. The styling is perfect and pop-up headlights. I used to own a car that was on sale at the same time as the X19, it was a TR7 convertible, and that was similar to the X19, lots of BL parts made up that car and it was easy to maintain.

[@garethmcrae668]

Great video! Nice balance of info and driving impressions- your commentary on the suppleness of the suspension and steering accuracy is spot on. Fantastic gems which to the MGB/ Midget fraternity, must have felt like UFO's. Especially the little green ones. I confess to having a trio in varying stages of decomposition/ restoration...

[@iansavage2885]

Well Ian, the Fiat influence is gaining ground......Great to see you having so much fun...

[@markpirateuk]

Watching this bought back happy memories of my X1/9, also a Y reg 5 speed, a cracking little car & great fun to hoon around, I can remember having to remove the spare wheel to access the distributer, not the easiest car to work on, but nice & simple. the real downside was rust, nice to see that some have survived and are obviously well loved!

[@andrewgurney6019]

I hope the owner of the car enjoys watching as much as I did and you did the actual drive!

[@stephenswift9868]

I love cars like these, when you take some fairly mundane mechanicals and make something special out of them. I’d take a green one 1500 if possible!

[@Mike-rk8px]

I’d have to agree with you, these were cars to love. I had four of them over the years, even a lime green one that looked gorgeous (and I don’t even like green). I’ve also owned German and Japanese cars, and while Italian cars can have problems, nothing else is as rewarding and exhilarating to drive and look at as an Italian car. I don’t know the Italian secret, but they do have a way of turning even a basic 4 door sedan into an absolute blast to drive. Drive an Alfa Romeo or Fiat 4 door car from the 60’s or 70’s and you’ll see what I mean. My daily drivers are always Japanese cars or 4x4’s (I live where we have snow most of the year so my Italian cars stay garaged) but they don’t make my heart sing. Now if only Fiat would put out a new X/19 that looks like the original and has a manual transmission....but they let Lexus do all of the manufacturing and assembly.

[@jameshaddan8538]

I was in high school in the early 1980s and had a 1974 one of these - dark brown with beige interior (corduroy maybe, cannot remember). It was an absolute blast to drive. Unfortunately had a host of electrical problems - one day the school principal pulled me from class as the car’s horn had started sounding in the parking lot and wouldn’t stop (and the horn button would shock you when you tried to stop the noise). Also, I lived in Texas then, and you really need AC in Texas - too hot to drive with the sun blazing in town without it (even with the top off). Despite those issues I absolutely loved it - nimble as a cat.

[@tomginefra4773]

Well done! One of the most accurate representations of how this car feels to drive. And while the suspension is surprisingly compliant, what most people don't understand is how well this car handles at the limit. I regularly embarrass much more expensive and newer sports cars, in my daily drives through the twisties. I have a 79 US model with all the Euro go fast bits installed, and hi comp pistons. 30 extra HP makes this car really come alive. Thanks for a great review, and such great video of what it's like to drive one of these little gems. It made me smile to see how surprised you were at how good these cars really are.

[@arkeys74]

The cartoon character Yoko Tsuno is always the first that pops up in my mind when I see a Fiat X1/9. She drove one in several stories if I remember correctly.. 😃

[@paulh.4270]

Yes, there is even a page or two where the sister car, Bertone Strada/Ritmo Cabrio appears with the X1/9.

[@simonhodgetts6530]

That lime green1300 is exquisite - and reminds me of one that used to bomb around Stourbridge when I was a nipper!

[@martinneumann7783]

0:59 Cool! I do own a model of the concept car. It's a childhood toy. Mattel Mebetoys A-44. Bertone Runabout. Made in Italy. Scala 1/43. This is all written on the bottom of the car. My brother and me didn't play a lot with this car. Too fancy... 😃

[@jefferysmith3930]

I like how they used the same side panel stamping to save cost and just filled in the USA spec side markers with black plastic....same as a TR7. I’ve always liked these. Only ever ridden in one as a child. It was a rough early small bumper car that belonged to one of my mom’s younger coworkers. It was probably only 7 or 8 years old at the time which was an eternity back then. It broke down ...a lot. Probably partially due to not many qualified FIAT mechanics in rural North Carolina. It was a very noticeable car in our small mountain town. Such a joyous review. I can tell you had a blast!

[@geezavictoria7089]

The car I always wanted as a child!

[@hugobloemers4425]

Me too :)

[@peterh1386]

19:27 That's the kind of maniacal laugh that usually prompts tractors, sheep and other undesirables to magically appear in the road around the next bend.... Ha ha....

[@keithsteadman2748]

Keith Steadman The X1/9 certainly put a smile on your face Ian, bought my X1/9 new in 1980, 41 years later it still brings a smile to my face every time I drive the car (complete with HubNut Sticker).

[@bartheyne2490]

Love the x1/9! All you need now is test of its rival, the matra simca Bagheera!

[@arrangrant6037]

I had the Matchbox Bertone Runabout Die cast metal model as a kid in the 1970s which was the Gandini concept car you mentioned 👍

[@willwelch5700]

This looks immensely fun to drive!

[@Kai-Peter.Schellhase]

Hoooon!😁 Haven't seen one of those in ages. Thanks for the ride, Ian!👍

[@willsmith3062]

I was fortunate enough to own two X1/9s a 1300 in 1978 moving to a 1500 in 1982. Servicing was done by an Italian - LC Motors in Newport - top man who really knew his stuff. Always yearned for more grunt but the handling was a delight and the cross-country times achievable along A and B roads were phenomenal - and immense fun. The bumpers on the 1500 weren’t the prettiest but they were functional. When a Ford Escort landed in the back of me while waiting to enter a roundabout, I got out fearing the worst. For him there was a massive X1/9 bumper shaped impression right across the front of his car with both headlights pointing sadly to the road; on the Fiat not so much as a scratch. Brilliant car. Thank you for bringing back so many good memories

[@lyndonscott3528]

Thank you for this, I felt as if I had my old car back again, so familiar and so beautiful, I took mine to the lake district on hot summer days with the roof off and to this day (I'm 60) it's the most fun I have ever had in a car, I still love these little cars.

[@vidfletch]

You really need to do more road tests on that road. Just amazing! 😁

[@billyrayvalentine7972]

I had a 1977 X1/9 and just loved it so much. Ended up buying a brand new 1979 X1/9 with 3 piece compomotive rims and P6 tires. It was so much fun . Underpowered but you made up for it in the curves. Predictable. Precise. Tons of fun

[@richards4817]

Loved this road test. Always been curious about the X1/9 so it was great to see you putting one through its paces. And what great roads in such a picturesque setting.

[@operationdevastation1305]

Brilliant video. Hubnut makes you want to drive whatever is being tested. That put a smile on my face, nice one Ian!

[@TaffPlays]

I definitely can see yourself getting one of these in the future, you seemed to absolutely love it!

[@nikkic36]

That would make a great rally stage

[@shawnweed265]

The shape is still fresh today. Well done for all of you keeping this cars in such great condition.

[@TheFlyingBusman]

These little two seaters are such great backroad fun. Sadly my MX5, Satsuma, had to depart on Saturday and having just watched this another B road hooning tool is definitely on the cards.

[@eddiecleaver5376]

Thanks for another great video Ian: it’s as if you’re travelling in the car with yourself. Plus a lot of insight into the X/19 model - great.

[@markallen2984]

I had a 1977 Fiat x19 when I was in high school in Burbank California.... what a great and fun car! I had lots of adventures in it.. spirited night drives on Mulholland Drive, trips to Zuma Beach, Santa Monica Beach, Redondo Beach, into the mountains at Idlewild It was a hand-me-down from my brother who was a Fiat mechanic. He installed dual Weber carburetors on it it had a great sound and handled so brilliantly.... unfortunately, it had a tendency to blow head gaskets pretty regularly.

[@jonathanfysh4744]

The very first car I ever drove was a W plate Gold X1/9. Would love one now. Great to see Ian genuinely having a hoot in one 😂

[@roddymac1370]

My brother took me for a drive in his blue 1300 X1/9 in the mid 80s. He said "watch this" as we were driving down Hendon Way and promptly took a 90 degree left turn. Went round like it was on rails, I was amazed. I had a 2.8 Capri at the time, the same maneouvre would have been disastrous in that. These are bloody brilliiant wee cars.

[@lgwappo]

I wanted one in the 1970s & got to ride in a friend's. Amazing handling. He pushed it to the limits & drifted it but it was so low to the ground it hardly leaned at all. Super nimble & light. About the time I could buy one they quit making them.

[@paulie-Gualtieri.]

Bags of character great little car

[@micheltebraake7915]

Many memories come back. I had a 1986 Bertone X1/9 in red. Did a lot of trips with the Dutch X1/9 club, especially the trip to the Aston Martin factory, we were accompanied every day by two X1/9's from the English X1/9 club. Sweden in 1995. And then my trip to the South of France with a bunch of friends. To the 2000 Le Mans and camp there. Even going to Festival of Speed at Goodwood with a friend, can't find the year again so quickly. Nice car, especially on winding roads, which you just showed.

[@MrPabsUk]

People wonder why I love old Fiats (& all Italian cars) so much, this is why. NO other nation has given the world quite as much unadulterated fun, from what, on paper at least, are fairly hum-drum, mass production specs. Thats what 85 very excitable Italian horses can do! Superb!

[@NeilSnapePhotography]

My 1978 was a delight to drive hard through tight corners. On the highway to Fort Bragg California with mags and Pirelli P3's at the time could slide all four wheels without loosing control with ease. The best balanced car in it's price range for cornering I have ever driven. Reliability although was far less than stellar!

[@sjmckee1609]

Thanks for the video, I truly loved hearing the sound of the engine again. I had a 79 X19, best car ever! Love from Canada.

[@andrewentwistle515]

Wow what a fantastic 2 seater sports car. I certainly did enjoy the ride along with Ian and I certainly felt that I was sitting along with him in the passenger seat. Thanks once again for another great test drive video.🙂🙂🐲🐲🐲

[@PopeDreamsAuthor]

That was a real hoot! Thanks for taking us with on the ride.

[@bpsorrel]

Most enjoyable video yet Hubnut!! Brought back so many memories, both of the X1/9 and hooning around beautiful Wales in the 80s in a FIAT Mirafiori Sport, another forgotten car! In the late 70s I worked for Lancia at Ealing Road Wembley and they had a couple of X1/9s in to compare with the Beta Montecarlo. I have to say, despite its smaller engine it was a lot more fun than the Monte and way cheaper!! Not the result the lancia Bosses wanted to hear! LOL! More FIAT and Lancia test please Ian!! :)

[@benfearnhead9851]

Loved the joyous tone of this review mate. Great when a car surprises in such positive and seemingly rewarding ways. What a thing! Another classic that’s aging very very nicely.

[@robsawalker]

I had a metallic green Dinky one with the speed blocks on the sides, and I have always loved them. They are amazing to drive too, they used to feel quite fast in the 80s!

[@trevatkin4869]

I think one of these should join the hubnut fleet! My mate had one, and it was white bizarrely. I've never been in one though. Looked amazing!

[@marktoby8113]

Epic review Ian, absolutely loved that!! What a car!

[@jorgefernandez-mv8hu]

They were very popular in the States when they came out. They could drive circles around the barges that were on the road at that time.I haven't seen one on the road in ages. Thanks for the ride along.

[@lets_measure_it]

really nice video. a lot of reviewers forget to show us boot space and interior space but you covered it nicely. i finally got to see how easy it is to remove the roof. now i want one. not many for sale these days it seems

[@davidflamee]

Brilliant road test Sir. Didn't make my toes curl but no escaping that tingle. Oh yes!!

[@helge.]

Love your open mindset!

[@zoomboy57]

I bought mine in 1976 and it was the most fun car I've ever owned. I lived in the mountains in Oregon in the US and I put Metzeler snow tires on it in the winter and never got stuck. I would actually push snow with the spoiler.

[@andrewhofler]

Wow! I remember one of these living round the corner from where I grew up, the same metallic green with black decals as the one in your video. Always found it a fascinating car! Reminds me of how many interesting cars were around in my childhood. Now everything is so same same!

[@mike_ctid_taylor]

The soundtrack of the X1/9 overlain by your gleeful commentary put the same smile on my face & I'm sat on the sofa. Might have to pop out later on.....

[@robinjones6999]

I remember them so well, but most as rust heaps on a driveway - these ones look so splendid. Maybe a fibreglass body would have been the icing on the cake -WDYT?

[@TweedsGarage]

Alcan of aluminium foil fame made a couple of complete X19 aluminium body shells in collaboration with Fiat.....wonder whether they still exist.....oh what could have been

[@HubNut]

I believe at least one does still exist and is in the Bertone collection.

[@CauliflowerMcPugg]

Such fun! I've always loved the styling and now I want one! I can think of a few roads here in the Mainland that would be great.

[@Rickenbacker451]

Even by just watching you can feel how much fun it must feel to drive. This would be a great rally car.

[@warren6815]

My uncle had one of these when I was very young. The backwards rev counter fascinated me!

[@benjamin2730]

Ian, bloody lovely drive in one of my 80s idols. Thanks mate

[@daniellee9015]

Omg that's rapid beautiful car Brilliant video Ian 👍

[@patrickl2195]

I had an early Fiat made 1500 five-speed back in the day. The electrics were awful and it is still the rustiest car I have ever owned, but it was a pleasure to drive and surprisingly practical. Once warmed through, it was really difficult to believe is was only an 85 horse power car! On mine, it was fifth which was the iffy gear to select.

[@nigelalderman9178]

Rustiest Fiat I ever had was a125S. completely finished at four years old.

[@garrymartin6474]

I've always wanted one , even more so now, and it was in that lovely metallic green so much the better !

[@chrism7969]

Hubnut the only KZbin channel where you will hear the presenter say "There's even somewhere for your left sandal to go", whilst he's wearing sandals. Jeremy Clarkson eat your heart out.

[@fhwolthuis]

Thank you for this amazing video Ian! Lovely car, lovely scenery! My favourite was the red and white 2 tone one with the gold wheels 😍 After seeing you have so much fun in the 127 Sport and this X1/9 Im thinking you should have a little Italian screamer in your collection 👍🇮🇹😃

[@greasoa]

Fantastic driving roads in mid Wales, X1/9 is superb - a great combo that brings back memories. Excellent!

[@droge192]

I passed my test in 1989, aged 17, and an X1/9 was my dream car! Sadly, I had to make do with a red (orange) Morris Ital 1.3HL as my first steed. When I finally had some cashola behind me, there were almost no X1/9s available to buy. I then set my sights on a Fiat Barchetta, until I realized they were all left hand drive! At this point, I was walking into town one day when I saw the most beautiful car I'd ever seen - a 1996 Sprint blue Fiat Coupe 20v Turbo. Finally in 2004, I achieve my Fiat-related dream and got a low mileage 1998 Sprint Blue 20v Turbo. Still the best car I've ever owned. Had it 2 years when unfortunately it developed a complex overheating issue and we parted ways! Great video BTW!

[@goingundersground]

Thanks Ian, what a drive! Great video

[@masonstorm1834]

Great video I’ve always been curious about these and even considered buying one many years ago. Looks like great fun

[@rodhili3946]

Great video. Your enthusiasm is contagious. I worked at a fiat dealer for about 6 months in 1977. In that time we had 6 X1/9's in because the boot lever was broken off by someone slamming the door closed without making sure the lever was returned to the closed position. Only the Italians would put it there.