1974 Fiat X1/9 – One family owned, first-year X1/9 with loads of dealer options

By Midwest-Bayless Italian Auto
614-784-8870
parts@midwest-bayless.com

10.19.18 - This car is sold.

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This is the car that you want in your collection... 

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This car has been operational and road-worthy its entire life.  It was cosmetically restored in 2001 by the previous owner, and well serviced.   This year it has undergone a comprehensive mechanical and cosmetic refurbishment by Midwest-Bayless Italian Auto prior to sale.

This car is Ohio titled, by the owner of Midwest-Bayless and will be an individual (not dealer) transaction.

It is worth noting that this car is looks similar to, but is not the same as one we sold a few years ago.  Although it is nearly its twin.

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This vehicle was owned by the same family since new for 44 years until August 2018.  Desirable dealer options were requested for this car at the time of purchase, including magnesium Cromodora wheels, and AMCO accessories.

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The X1/9 model was produced by Fiat from model years 1973 to 1982, and by Bertone, the car’s coachbuilder, for an additional five years, from 1983-88.

Introduced in Europe in late 1972 for the 1973 model year, the car was Federalized for North American highway regulations and was not available in the USA until 1974.   The notable changes for North America include unique bumpers and a higher front ride height to meet minimum bumper height rules. 

This car is a prime example of the first Fiat X1/9s built for the North American market.

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Paint:  Sand (code 561) acrylic enamel finish.  Most who view the color call it “light tan” or “cappuccino”

Interior:  Beige interior seat cover, door card and firewall cladding

Carpet:  Factory Arancio (Orange)

Dashboard and Console:  Factory Nero (Black)

While the photo below looks like a stock sales-brochure photo, it is of this car’s actual interior!

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Body and Exterior

The body is straight, and does not have collision damage or rust of any sort.   It has few if any visible dings or dents.

It was professionally repainted by the original owner 17 years ago in 2001.  The black side stripe and "FIAT" -"X1/9" lettering are painted, not vinyl graphics.

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There is one minor blemish to the paint, in the left rear tail light area as shown.   The engine cover and rear trunk release handle assembly has a chipped surround, but is fully functional and mounted solidly, with braided replacement cables installed. 

Original enameled "FIAT" badges, black and silver trims and all have good color.  Original fuel tank cap.   All lights and lenses are clear, unblemished and operational. 

Engine cover is excellent with no rust or scale inside or out.

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The front air dam is the original steel unit, undamaged.  It and the one year only 1974 grille are excellent.   Bumpers are perfect examples of the one-year-only, 1974 North America blade style treatment, with no scratches, rust or other damage.

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A dealer option chromed AMCO luggage rack is excellent condition and compliments the other bright work.

Engine, Fuel, Ignition, Exhaust and Cooling System:

1300cc engine SOHC engine 32 DMTR (manual choke) carburetor. 

The 1300cc motor was serviced by a qualified import shop for the last 20 years.  The engine and transaxle were rebuilt in the last 1500 miles.    All receipts are included. 

This motor has had the air-injection pollution control system professionally removed.  This includes the air pump, air injection rail, solenoids and thermovalves.  A single-pulley timing belt cover has been installed for a clean look. 

Because its build date is 1974, this car is exempt from Federal pollution control regulations in all 50 states.  All of the original equipment has been saved, however,  and is included with the vehicle.

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The engine bay is exceptionally clean with original firewall insulation.  

Carburetor was fully disassembled, cleaned and rebuilt.   New fuel lines and filter.

Ignition system features original Ducellier points-based distributor.

Non-catalyst left-side exhaust, another signature of 1974 model year X1/9s.

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The cooling system features an upgraded stainless-steel expansion tank as a replacement of the original mild-steel unit and OE style hoses.   It offers rock-solid temperatures and the fan works correctly.  Original radiator is rust free.  Heater valve and all controls work smoothly.


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Electricals

Circuits in good shape, with correct operation even with wipers, lights and heater fan on.   Headlights have been converted to H4 L.E.D. bulbs and are highly effective.   All accessories and lights work. Headlights pop up and down as expected, all cabin switches work as expected. 

Unlike most series 1 cars, the instrument cluster lens is clean and clear, with no clouding.   Cluster back-lighting and console lighting converted to L.E.D.

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 Transmission / Clutch / Driveline

The 4-Spd manual transmission is in excellent condition, fully rebuilt 1500 miles earlier, also documented with included receipts. It shifts flawlessly up and down with no synchronizer issues. Rear transmission mount, drive shafts, CV joints are all in good condition.   

Clutch master, slave, disc and pressure plate were replaced with new at the same time.


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Steering / Suspension / Tires / Wheels / Brakes

All ball joints, tie-rod ends, are in good condition with no issues.  Wheel bearings are solid with no hum or play.

 New struts for the front, and upper strut mounts at all four corners give the car firm, crisp handling. 
  
New forward radius rod bushings have been installed, and factory front springs have been modified to give the car a level stance.   

Braking system has been recently serviced with new front calipers, flex hoses, pads and rotors.  They are extremely effective in stock format.

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Rare, mint condition magnesium Cromodora CD-3 13x5 wheels were a dealer option, and wear nearly new Michelin 175/70-13 tires with original metal FIAT hub caps.   

This car drives and tracks straight, and is vibration / rattle-free. 
With these tires, and 4.08 R&P, freeway cruising is comfortable.

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Interior / Top

The interior is one of the best we’ve seen in a while.  

Door cards are nice with minimal blemishes,  all chrome piping intact and unwrinkled on both the door cards and the arm rests.

Seats were reupholstered by previous owner, with cloth insets, maintaining the original 1974 "ladder" style appearance. 




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Original black dashboard is un-cracked.   It features a dealer option FIAT Astrosonix AM/FM radio.

Center console has one small hairline crack near the shift boot, otherwise is undamaged.  Original 2-point seat belts with FIAT logo receivers are functional.    

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The handbrake cover, unique to 1974 cars is un-cracked.
The dealer option AMCO armrest (specifically shaped to accommodate 1974 handbrake cover) is un-cracked.

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Window regulators and handles work smoothly. 

All glass is original, and absent any blemishes, chips or lamination issues.


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One blemish on the rear firewall cladding behind the driver seat as shown.

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Original Michelin spare tire with fifth CD-3 magnesium wheel.

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Targa top is in excellent condition with no scratches or chips, and is the correct no headliner 1974 version. 

Front and Rear Trunks

Front trunk is original.  The vertical panels beneath the strut towers were cosmetically repaired during the 2001 repaint.




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All plastic, rubber and metal covers for battery, trunk floor and headlights are original and undamaged. 

Rear trunk contains the original jack and tool kit on right side.




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Take this car home and hit the national show circuit today.

$17,500 Or Highest Offer

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Our knowledge, experience and reputation with Fiat cars, and particularly the X1/9 model is unparalleled. 

If you want the best, buy from the best.

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 Additional photos or details are available upon request.   Buyer pays all shipping costs.  Vehicle will remain for sale until such time that a $1,000 deposit is issued by credit card or PayPal to reserve this vehicle.   Balance due by cashier's check or wire transfer.   Vehicle will be held for 14 days while buyer makes shipping arrangements, with $50 / week storage fee thereafter.