Here is a South-West Survivor 1979 Fiat X1/9 1500 that is very Original, Very Solid and Straight. It is the 1500, Carburated, 5-Speed updated version that was the "New Model" changed from the 1978 1300cc 4-Speed Version, ordered with the very Rarely Seen optional Air Conditioning. Believed to have been originally purchased in Southern Texas, and approximately 15-16 years ago purchased from Vick's Fiat Parts, by a Phoenix, Arizonian customer for restoration. The car was never able to get running due to some fuel, electrical and mainly timing issues so it set in a rural horse barn for almost 12 years until I boldly saved it out of near abandonment in the Spring of 2015 (I like challenges) and brought it to Indiana with it's three other siblings.After a few years of tinkering mainly during the winter months I have gotten it pretty well sorted out and have gotten most things working or systems replaced that were bad, worn or needing serviced. I have never titled it in my name so most of my driving experiences were done at night on back country roads and very moderate speeds. The new owner can look forward to any final minor misc. "Sorting" that it may be needing. Please keep in mind that this car is almost 40 years old and I can not crystal ball what problems are possible in the future, But for now it is a Good Running Sportscar and Ready for it's new owner! At this point I have more cars (9) thangrandchildren (5) and need more time for them and space so I am trying to move a few before winter as the hobby has got too large to store it all inside! An Alfa-Romeo Spica Spider and an Early Fiat 850 Covered Headlamp Spider are soon to be up on the docket if any interest!
The Work I preformed over the past three years on this Beautiful Orange Survivor:
- The Cylinder Head ValveClearancesChecked and Re-Adjusted with new Shims where required and then a The Timing Belt and Belt Tensioner Bearing were Replaced With NEW Italian Parts (Very Critical), along with New Alternator/Water-Pump and Air-Conditioning rubber fan-belts.
-A Brand New Quality Battery, Four New Spark Plugs, A Newer Used Coil, Distributor Cap and Rotor, Bosch Electronic Pick-Up Kit and a New Set Euro Type Ignition Wires!
-Fresh Crankcase Oil, 1/3 can of "Seafoam" Additive, One Quart ATF and Filter and then given a thorough flushing! Then Again After hours of Running and Adjusting and Overly Rich Carburetor issues The Oil Was Changed for a 2nd Time 06/21/2018, Using Quality Castrol 20w50 another New Oil Filter and a Pint of "TKO" "Conklin" Oil Treatment!
-Fresh Anti-Freeze and Proper Water Mix after a Thorough Coolant System Draining Cleaning and Flushing! At this Time Radiator Dust was blown out, New Front Coolant Thermo-Switch installed, Engine Thermostat was also Replaced along with all 4 New Silicone Orange Radiator Hoses and Clamps!
-Fresh Premium Gasoline filling, 2 or 3 cans of Seafoam Additive after a thorough Fuel Tank draining, cleaning and flushing!Fuel Lines were Cleaned and Blown out with a New Fuel Filter, hoses and clamps where needed!
-A Good Quality Pair of New Wiper Blades installed after wiper arms were adjusted, cleaned and detailed!
-All Four Brand New Brake Rotors were installed, All Four New Rubber Brake Hoses, New Front and Rear High Quality Brake Pads were installed with Hardware, and rebuilt disc brake calipers front and rear were installed with a Brand New Italian Made OEM Replacement Brake Master Cylinder just for "Good Measure". Then extreme caution was taken to flush and power bleed the whole system thoroughly with all new fresh Castrol LMA Brake Fluid until the Brake Pedal was Firm! Then both Emergency Cables were re-lubed, re-installed and re-adjusted properly!
-While the steering column was down and out for the Brake M/Cylinder replacement we also installed a Brand New Italian Made OEM Replacement Clutch Master Cylinder, Slave Cylinder and Rubber Flexible Connecting Hose also for "Good Measure", Then it was Bled properly until there was No Air in the System!
-Rusty and Potential Rust spots in the front and rear trunk and at random spots on the external body were wire brushed, prepped and the treated with Por-15!
-Both Sides Weatherstripping (Door, Windshield Pillars and Removable Targa Top) Seals Were Replaced With High Quality Replacements for either Vick's or Bayless.
-Both Door Check Straps Were Replaced with NOS originals and Both Door Light Switches were Replaced at the same time while I was laying on the floor......TA...DA Now The Interior light and Door Buzzer is Faithfully and Dependably working Again!
-The Chrome Lever's were retored and all the problematic cables were replaced with Midwest Bayless's lifetime woven flex cables so that the front trunk lid, engine cover and rear trunk all work as new with great levers and the right tension so the just "pop" open as they did from the factory when new!
-Old Worn and Leaking Carb Replaced! As of 06/21/2018 A Brand New (Not Rebuilt) Fiat/Weber Italian (not Chinese) NOS Carburetor ($355.00) was Installed and That has Seemed to Clear up The Hard Starting and Erratic Idle that I Had Previously Spent Two Years Messing With. It Now starts on first or second try and the Choke/Cold-Start System Works Perfectly!
Things still needing Attention or Further Work:
-The Heater Valve is Frozen and will need replacement and I had bought one and included it in this sale, and there are two engine oil leaks that appear to get better (less) as it is run more and it could be just an oil pan or valve cover gasket (it is very tight back there and hard see, but appears to be on the R/H front side) please do keep in mind that it had set stored in a barn and had not run for almost 12 years.
-Although it is now Running it still needs a good shake down before I would use it daily or Drive it a Long Distance as less than 50 miles have been put on it in the past 15 years!
In Full Disclosure Here are the KNOWN Defect and/or Problem Area's to be aware of:
-There is a Crack in the Windshield.
-Seats are Arizona Sunburned and Cracking!
-Dash has multiple cracks, but as I have "Treated It" they have gotten much smaller and closer!
-Paint is faded and sunburnt and a 10-15 Footer but is mostly Original with survivor nice patina!
-Both Headlamps Work, but the R/H Front does not go down unless you wind the crank that manually lowers it.
-Blower Motor Works most of the time but the Heater Valve is Frozen up in the open possition so as the car heats up the many years of dirt and dust "Burn" off the Heater Core and comes through the dash vents. While having the Heater valve replaced would be a great time to clean it/blow it all out!
-Tires Have just been replaced last month after one of the old ones failed!
-Although this X is very Rust-Free compared to most, It does have three main spots (front R/H foot well, L/H behind passenger's seat and the front trunk floor and battery box had a few small spots that I fixed with Por-15 and fiber matting (Very Permanent and Durable), and there may be 4-5 smaller surface areas high-lighted and view-able in many photos shown in our listing!
-Oil Leaking found under the passengerside of the Engine is believe to be from either the front dip stick seal, cam seal or the cam housing gasket/valve cover gasket???!
-If winning bidder would desire either the Factory Rosso Arancio (orange) front Hood, Doors, or Rear Trunk Lid in my other Listings I would Sell them for 50% off plus try to include them with car to save on shipping costs!
-Front Spoiler is broken, radio does not work and is missing a speaker, the A/C compressor clicks on/in and pushes cool air but is in need a coolant re-charging for it to blow cold. Also the push button heater, defrost and air-conditioning panel needs help to return buttons after pushed which I believe is a common problem!
-A Nearly Unused Original Equipment Spare tire and wheel is included with it's factory jack! The spare tire cover is also included but it has shrunken and does not fit real good now!
-In Closing this is a Very Solid or Original Fiat/Bertone X1/9 That runs and drives well with new tires, brakes, carburetor and a good state of tune with a great transmission and clutch, but slow shifting is needed until it fully warms up. Never Modified it is an open Canvas for your Future dreams and Desires. It has some sorting remaining but over 80-90% has been done to a very Good Quality with no Cost Cutting on parts quality and time/services spent!
