Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]

Announcements (Updated: July 11, 2018)

Welcome to Swifty's Garage!


Thanks to all of you for making this board what it is today!


Attention new members: We would like to welcome you personally, so please introduce yourself. Click here: INTRODUCTIONS


For all the latest news and announcements, please click here: PA System



Thank you - The Swifty's Garage Team




This board is best viewed at 1024 x 768 Resolution

Car of the Week:


Matchbox 1968 Ford F-100


Click Here: Matchbox '68 Ford F-100
Welcome to Swifty's Garage. We hope you enjoy your visit.


You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use. If you join our community, you'll be able to access member-only sections, and use many member-only features such as customizing your profile, sending personal messages, and voting in polls. Registration is simple, fast, and completely free.

Thank You,
The Swifty's Garage Team


Join our community!


If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features.

Username:   Password:
Add Reply
Car of the Day: April 18, 2015; Playart '72 Fiat X1/9
Topic Started: Apr 18 2015, 01:15 AM (451 Views)
250 TR
Member Avatar


Posted Image

Today's car of the day is Playart's 1972 Fiat X1/9

Posted Image

Wikipedia
 
The Fiat X1/9 is a two-seater mid-engined sports car designed by Bertone and manufactured by Fiat from 1972-1982 and subsequently by Bertone from 1982-1989.

With a transverse engine and gearbox in a mid-mounted, rear-wheel drive configuration, the X1/9 was noted for its excellent handling, lightweight-removable hardtop, front and rear-storage compartments — and for being designed from its conception to meet the late 60s U.S. safety regulations.


Posted Image

For more information and pictures on the real car, please visit: Fiat X1/9

Posted Image

Posted Image

Quirky and a little bit playworn. That description could equally apply to the Playart casting or most remaining real versions of this car. But dang it if it's not still a cool car and I'd drive one in a heartbeat if I could fit.

Posted Image

Posted Image

Wikipedia
 
The X1/9 succeeded a 1969 show concept car called the Autobianchi Runabout, with styling by Bertone under chief designer Marcello Gandini. The Runabout was powered by the engine of the Autobianchi A112.

Designed around the all-new 128 SOHC engine and gearbox (transmission) from the front wheel drive Fiat 128, the X1/9 relocated the transverse drive train and suspension assembly from the front of the 128 to the rear of the passenger cabin, directly in front of the rear axle, giving a mid-engined layout. The layout also located the fuel tank and spare wheel side by side ahead of the engine, directly behind the seats — optimizing the proportion of the car's weight falling within its wheelbase for more effective handling and also enabling cargo areas front and rear.


Posted Image

Posted Image
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
pjedsel
Member Avatar
Muscle Car
:toy: Those old Playart' were fun little cars to have to play with. Most had an opening feature an man, the variety of cars that Playart cranked out over the years. Great stuff...and so is this not so small Fiat X1/9. So many of their models of small cars were somewhat oversized but, you know, back then, one really didn't seem to mind. It was just another car...a Fiat in this case to add to the collection. :D
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
juantoo3
Member Avatar
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Wedge design...check.

Playart....check.

Cool car...check.

Hits a lot of high points for me!
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Dean-o-mite
Member Avatar
Muscle Car
That's a pretty nice one to have. I like it.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
corvairjim
Member Avatar
Fullsize
When you say "If I could fit in it", I know from experience exactly where you're coming from. Back in the early 1980's, I worked as a detailer at the local dealer/bank auto auction. Every Monday evening, all of us in the detail shop would get several hours of overtime (not to mention dinner) to stick around and drive the cars through the auction. Nice gig, except if you're 6'3" and happen to draw a teeny-tiny little car like an X1-9, as I once did. Without thinking, I slammed the door shut, without realizing that my left leg was about to get mashed between the door and steering wheel... HARD! My leg hurt like heck for the rest of the night and for a few days afterward. Cars with a clutch, like the 4-speed '66 Corvair 500 Sport Sedan I had as a daily driver at the time, were pure misery. Thankfully, I only had a couple other manual transmission cars to run through the auction after the incident with the Fiat. The car I was more than happy to draw that evening was a 27,000-mile 4-speed '71 Mercury Cyclone Cobra Jet with an extremely stiff clutch, which I got to take through the line before the incident with the little proto-Ferrari. I had my boss ghost-bid on the Merc for me (even though I don't like Fords in general, this car was that cool!), but it went beyond what I could spend... by a lousy $100. It sold for $2,100. Imagine that today.

There are several other little sports cars that I can't squeeze myself into - believe me, I've tried! Triumph Spitfire, MG Midget/A-H Sprite, Porsche 914 come to mind immediately. On the other hand, I also don't fit in a stick shift Chevette, something that bothers me not a bit!
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
ivantt
Member Avatar
New casting? Quick! Take it apart!
So interesting, I'd love to find one of these. I probably wouldn't even thiought it was a real car up until now.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous)
« Previous Topic · Car Of The Day · Next Topic »
Add Reply



March's Picture of The Month Contest



Congratulations DinoMom for winning March's contest!



April's Picture of The Month Contest



Congratulations carsdownunder for winning April's contest!






Powered By

This board is best viewed at 1024 x 768 Resolution


eXTReMe Tracker