Dreaming: Geo/Suzuki 1.0L drivetrain in a ... Fiat X1/9

[320touring]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Not entirely sure - I sold a working 1.3 with good compression for about 150 bucks, if I recall. (Doesn't mean it was market value though.)

Just asking as we have a helluva lot more of the Swifts over here- wondering if folks may want lumps shipped over.

[user removed]

What is the direction of rotation of the 1.0 Suzuki motor? Clockwise from the front pully?

regards
Mech

[MetroMPG]

Mech: yes, clockwise.

I wondered about this as well (which direction the Fiat motor turns).

[IVTenvy]

The Bertone model X-1/9 is incredibly safe. They were built at the Volvo plant and had an engine mount set-up that shoe horned the engine under the car in a head on collision. The ratings were 50 mph head on and 80 mph side impact. That is without airbags! Nevertheless, everyone that saw my '87 would say "pretty cool but that thing must be soooo dangerous."
They are a little heavy for their size but compared to MR2s and Fierros, they are light and way more stiff. Big wheels make everything a little worse. IMO, the thing they need most is a chopped top like the Runabout model and a powerplant with a newer generation of electronic fuel injection.

[Arragonis]

Originally Posted by IVTenvy

The Bertone model X-1/9 is incredibly safe. They were built at the Volvo plant ...

They were built by Bertone and FIAT but not Volvo.

There is some confusion because Bertone also built the Volvo 262 and 780 coupes for Volvo - they were delivered as complete cars to Bertone and then hacked about by them. The X1/9s were built in the same (Bertone) factory and even used some of the same paint colours.

Volvo didn't have any involvement in the development of build of the X1/9 though - if they had maybe it wouldn't have rusted so quickly in some markets.

Nice car though. If FIAT had invested some money in developing it then it would have been able to compete with the Mk1 MR2 but unfortunately they were too busy going bankrupt.

[IVTenvy]

I guess it was just Volvo's luxury plant. I must have been confused by the 262GL and 87 X-1/9 I had with identical colors, relay boxes, weld patterns, fuel injection and ID plate.

[Chuck Biscuits]

Originally Posted by redneck

Mid engine, got it.

Maybe a Porsche 914 then.

>

If you think the Fiat is a rust bucket, wait until you get into a 914! Living in the Pacific Northwest, the dream of finding a rust-free 914 slim-to-none, and Slim is out of town.

Good luck!

CB