1982 Fiat X1/9 review from UK and Ireland

The bolts that hold the drive shafts to the wheels would regularly vibrate loose and then snap. Leading to me to always carry a spare set, tool kit and an axle stand which took up most of the very limited luggage space. I tried using Locktight on them, but it didn't help.

The gearbox main bearing collapsed, which also destroyed the alloy gearbox casing due to the fact that Fiat used the casing as part of the bearing. Had they used a proper ball race bearing instead, I wouldn't have needed to pay £500 (back in 1990) for a used (not reconditioned) gearbox.

Hydraulic clutch cylinder seals went and had to be replaced.

The electric motor which raised the headlamp failed. Had to be replaced.

I loved driving this car!! It was fast, handled superbly, and in the good summer of 1989 the targa roof off for most of the summer.

For a small 2 seater, I found it comfortable enough, though at 6ft tall the seat was at it's limit.

It always started first time, but I still considered mine to be unreliable for the reasons already mentioned.

Wind noise was always a problem, due to the removable fiberglass roof. Though it was easy to take off. Two clips inside the car, and it was off. There was space under the bonnet to store it (mid engine, so storage was in the front).