1985 Fiat Bertone X1/9 VS

[purf]

I hear you. Its kind of a work in progress... it needs paint in the areas now exposed and if I had the spare dosh i'd order all the best bits for it... the steel front valences are available in the US for about 180 + shipping, 1300 corner bumpers are 400 for a good set, 120 for fibreglass, 1300 front lights are going for about 100 a pair. 1300 grills are 100+ then you need to butcher it to fit, unless its an early US spec grill. It adds up...

Also to make a proper 1300 replica you really need to cut bits off and it wouldn't be possible to refit the 1500 bits... also lots of body work, iv gone for the rubber gromet approach... but hey, I drive it every day...

For now i'll agree it looks a bit 'mad max'... but most 'normal people' don't even know what it is, let alone what kind of bumper it had...

The steel grill panel posted above is a very good solution perhaps a profitable panel to manufacture?

[purf]

It now looks like this:



No roof has become the norm even in Dec/Jan. It just isn't right, unless it rains heavily of course...

Next step is to get lower springs and new shocks on it. Cha Ching! Also correct 70 profile tyres...



Iv also fitted a scirocco radiator (£25 rather than 250) and had the head skimmed... No more overheating... For now :-) the rad also weights, well hardly anything compared to the original steel and copper item. Which of course I will keep for future use...

[purf]

And today one of the CV joints had started to make a racket I can't ignore any longer... Eventually it will be reliable...

[Clement]

It's looking sweet! The bumperless look is a mighty improvement, well done. Keep at it and you'll have a very cool summer runabout

[purf]

Just ordered a pair of new front shocks and full set of lower sports springs

New voltage regulator on order and water pump waiting to be fitted.

There is also an interesting 1300 bumper kit appeared on ebay with all the brackets etc which i'll be seriously looking at in the future.

[spartacus]

My dad bought one of the Grand Finale models from new in the late 80s. Back then I'd only passed my test a couple of years and using it was a proper treat, it handled and drove like I thought a sports car should, needless to say I wish we still had it.
Props to you for using it as a daily, I think you're doing the right thing in not modifying it too far too return to stock too. Looking good!

[richp]

Spotted one of these on the road the other day, it was the first I've seen for years

[markgenesis]

Looks great on the Revolution wheels

[purf]

good news is the suspension parts have arrived. bad news is the new waterpump (£10 old stock) and the new alternator are the wrong parts!!!! Double fail!!!

[purf]

Front shocks and springs fitted. Strange tracking issue (steering wheel not central) has been cured but now have noise like a front wheel bearing?


Been off the road for a week. Rear wheel bearing (mot advisory) has been replaced this week but noise continues.. Maybe its those 10mm Wheel spacers killing the bearings?







I Suspect the front shock mounts.

Need new tyres.

[purf]

The noise was the front wheel bearing... I have refitted the original wheels as the revolutions weigh approx 36kg more in total than the original Cromodora CD179 alloys, that's a lot of un-sprung weight for a light car. This includes the longer wheel bolts and 10mm spacers. The spacers are cheap and weigh 1.4kg per corner!

The original wheels weigh about 20kg including the slightly larger profile tyre. So although the revolutions looked really good they weighed almost as much as carrying two extra original wheels! or about 3% of the total cars weight!

Got the radiator fan working now so with the new Scirocco radiator its running really well in the summer heat - unlike last summer!

Also fitted 1300 front side lights/indicators which are a lot better than the temporary side repeaters I've had fitted for the last year...

[fer4l]

Had one of these back in the day - loved it! Paid £400, did 25,000 miles forwards (reverse gear was broken) and sold for IIRC £425.00 And I swear the old girl could turn in mid air!

[ads7]

Any updates..? Love these great little motors

[purf]

Sorry no updates for a while.

I am currently welding new panels onto the rear valence area as an old repair by uncle fester had allowed things to get into a state.

All non structural bits covering the exhaust area. The rear end is having a make over with new smaller rectangular rear plate

[tali100]

.

[purf]

should be on the road again tomorrow after being in the garage since November!

New rear bodywork - no more Swiss Cheese!

I used some horrible primer which reacted with the Tetrosyl top coat that I used.... it was a nightmare!



I've improved the rear number plate and its lighting setup. Needs a little pin striping to finish off. Of course the strange two tone colour scheme is original with the VS and big bumpers! I've also finally fitted the rear shorter springs.

Maybe gold plasti-dipped wheels will be next? This is a Photoshop from last summer: I think I lowered it a little more in this...

[s1105117]

Looking good man!

[vulgalour]

Gold wheels YES for this particular car. The colour scheme really lets you get away with it. So pleased to read this is still a going concern, I was a bit worried it had come to end for a bit.

[purf]

Its STILL a work in progress...


I now have 1300 side lights fitted. Looking to install 1300 quarter bumpers now but have been getting the underside attended to and rust proofed.

[biturbo228]

Just read through hte thread. Looks like a nice example! Wish I'd known about the Scirocco rad when I ordered my alloy one...

I like the motorbike LEDs for numberplate lights. Deleting the bulky standard items is one of the things on my list at some point