1980 Fiat Bertone X1/9 with 28 hp Cat diesel swap

[SVOboy]

Fiat:eBay Motors (item 190331002149 end time Sep-02-09 05:38:39 PDT)

Neat vehicle, for sure

THIS IS TRULY ONE OF A KIND~IT HAS A 5 SPEED TRANSMISSION~ A HARD TOP CONVERTIBLE~TOP STORES IN FRONT TRUNK SPACE~IT ALSO HAS A REAR TRUNK SPACE~

THE ENGINE IS BEHIND PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND THE ENGINE IS
A THREE CYLINDER 28 HORSE POWER CATERPILLAR DIESEL, BRAND NEW, AND GETS 70+ MILES PER GALLON HIGHWAY~

IT LIKES TO RUN ABOUT 55 M.P.H. BUT WILL TOP OUT ABOUT 68 M.P.H.~DOES NOT LOSE SPEED ON A HILL~

90% RUBBER~NICE SET OF AMERICAN RACING SAWBLADE WHEELS~QUESTIONS E-MAIL OR CALL 864-871-2304-~YOU CAN DRIVE THIS ONE TO WORK-----OR ANYWHERE ELSE, FOR PENNIES A DAY~

IF A DUMMY LIKE ME CAN PUT TOGETHER A 70 M.P.G. CAR IN A BACK YARD SHOP, WHY CAN'T DETROIT??

[cfg83]

SVOboy -

Vay-rrrrreee Een-tay-rest-ink!

CarloSW2

[Christ]

The "I can do it, why can't the automakers" quote at the end of the ad kind of bothers me a bit... people still don't understand that what you're doing in your back yard just isn't appealing to the general public in most cases....

I also have a fairly difficult time seeing that car getting 70MPG with 28Hp and still being "fun" to drive. I'm sure it's slow as molasses, and probably doesn't like to accelerate either, since that engine is probably a piece from a mid-size tractor or something similar, which doesn't have variable fuel timing.

[tournapart]

you very may have well made the most reliable fiat known to man....congrats

but I do contest the fun to drive comment as well...the only way 28hp is fun is in a moped...

good luck with the sale

[Frank Lee]

It's probably fun to cruise past gas stations.

It's fun to drive your own creation too... whether it's actually any better or not.

I suppose it can be fun to drive something simply because it's "different". It's fun to field questions from the curious. For a while anyway.

[cfg83]

Hello -

I found the engine in it's native lawnmower :

61'' FERRIS ZERO TURN LAWN MOWER 28HP CAT DIESEL IS4500 - eBay (item 380146958717 end time Sep-06-09 07:05:16 PDT)




CarloSW2

[Christ]

Gas Gauges

Gas gauges are easy to view from operator compartment.

That was part of the ad that you posted... a diesel engine that needs Gas Gauges?!

[cfg83]

Christ -

Originally Posted by Christ

Gas Gauges

Gas gauges are easy to view from operator compartment.

That was part of the ad that you posted... a diesel engine that needs Gas Gauges?!

Ha ha, here's the engine spec :

1000cc, 28-hp Caterpillar (model 3011) diesel engine ...

I just did some googling to find the non-ebay stuff. They propagated the error from this features sheet :

IS 4500Z Detail Gallery

The thing is, the lawn mower is also offered in a 35 HP V-Twin gasser. Sooooooooo, the original document should have stated "Fuel gauge is easy to view from operator compartment".

CarloSW2

[Christ]

Good gods, man! You're a searchin mo'fo!

[cfg83]

Christ -

Originally Posted by Christ

Good gods, man! You're a searchin mo'fo!

As with most of my nolegia, just enough to be dangerous.

CarloSW2