Family Fun: 1979 Fiat X1/9 – Sold?

February 27, 2023, Update – While this “Classifind” expired recently, given the seller’s history, we suspect it may not actually be sold yet.  For now, we’re labeling this ride “Sold?” However, we will keep an eye out for an updated listing. In the interim, please reach out either by email or call Rudy directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

January 18, 2023 Update – Following a brief pause through the holidays, the seller posted a replacement listing for their one-family-owned 1979 Fiat X1/9.  The pictures, description, and $13,400 asking price remain the same. 

December 18, 2022, Update – We confirmed the listing for this “Classifind” expired, so with no replacement found, we’re assuming this ride is “Sold?” unless we come across a replacement listing.

We love coming across one-family-owned survivor cars.  Not only do the cars tend to be well-preserved, but the history as they moved through family members is usually a great story filled with details that normally get lost on other rides as they change hands.  Our latest example is this 76K original mile 1979 Fiat X1/9, first spotted in November 2022 on Craigslist in New Albany, Ohio (Columbus). The seller reports this is a one-family-owned example with up-to-date maintenance and a fresh set of tires.

Last offered for $13,400, Classic.com, the analytics and search engine for the collector car market, confirms the ask is slightly below the five-year rolling average of this guide’s summary for Fiat X1/9s produced between 1972 and 1987.  By clicking on the green dots in the graph below, you can navigate to each comparable car sold as a way to help you evaluate the example featured here:

As a second data point, the  Collector Car Market Review Online Tool reveals the seller’s ask falls between this guide’s #2 Very Good” estimate of $10,300 and its #1 “Excellent” appraisal of $15,300.

As a competitive response to VW/Porsche’s new 914, in 1969 Fiat commissioned Bertone to create a two-seat, entry-level, mid-engine sports car capable of meeting the U.S. safety regulations of the period.  Designed around the Fiat 128’s front-wheel-drive, transverse-mounted powertrain, the X1/9 relocated the transverse drive train and suspension assembly from the front of the 128 to the rear of the passenger cabin, directly in front of the rear axle, to create the mid-engine layout. Unlike most other mid-engine car designs, Bertone ingeniously located both the gas tank and spare tire between the passenger seats and the mid-engine firewall.  Not only did this provide room for two, albeit small, trunks, but the result was also arguably one of the best handling Fiats ever produced.

In 1979 U.S. cars received increases in displacement to 1498 cc and five-speed transmissions, with maximum power up to VW Beetle-like 67 horsepower, and retained previous emission controls. In 1979 U.S. X1/9s also received both exterior and interior revisions including integrated bumpers front and rear, as well as new front grilles and air dams. The instrument panel and dash redesign moved the heating and ventilation controls from the center console up to the main dash, relocated the radio to the center dash area, moved the fuse panel from the area above the driver’s left knee to the area above the passenger’s footwell where the glove box was and moved the glovebox to atop the dash.  With less than 100 horsepower on tap throughout its production, the X1/9 is at best a momentum car.

The Dave Ruelas YouTube Channel features this vintage 1979 Fiat X1/9 commercial:

We do not come across very many Fiat X1/9s anymore, and this one family-owned example is arguably the nicest we featured to date.  The one-family provenance and the excellent preserved condition will make this vintage Fiat a hit at any car show you drive it to.

Here’s the seller’s description:

Show or go: What would you do with this 1979 Fiat X1/9 survivor for sale?  Please comment below and let us know!