potential new x19' er

hello all i'm jake and am seriously considering getting an X19, i am only 20 but i'm not allergic to classic cars and bikes they have been in our family for a long time the list includes lancia beta, mini, mg zs and triumph tr7 and the longest owned was a triumph stag( 14 years!!!).

I currently use a suzuki 600 SRAD as my transport but have a need for a car now and have come across the X19, now i dont know a lot about them apart from the usual horror storys( dad had a lancia so use to them). Luckily we have mechanical and bodywork abilities.

i am intending on going to the classic show at birmingham so that i can see them in the flesh as they are few and far between on the road, and was hoping to be able to look over some on the stand and perhaps take a seat in one or two to see if i fit ( i'm 6ft)

if anyone has any relevant info on what to majorly look out for on the cars that would be greatly appreiated

thanks

Jake

Hi Jake - welcome to the forum. Nothing wrong about being young and interested in X1/9s - I'm still in my 20s (only just though) and got interested in them at a very early age. The Club NEC stand will be perfect for you in terms of variety. There will be a green 1300 (the start of UK production) a Fiat 1500 (the middle), a Gran Finale (the end of UK production) and a modified car (just what can be done with an engine swap, and this year it isn't Nick's V6). Do come and chat with us and we can show you what to look out for.

All the best

Rob

Hey Rob
Thank you for the nice welcome, I look forward to meeting you and seeing the cars in person up at the show, the v6 engine swap does sound rather interesting ha

cheers again
Jake

The V6 swap is one of many conversions that can be done but the stand will feature Richards Twin cam engine- same as the beta. The most common conversion is the uno turbo engine, a sheer legend in its own right. Talk to anyone in the know and they will say, "Uno turbo? My mate had one and it went like stink!" This engine later went in the punto gt and now there are those changing the capacity from 1.3 to 1.6 and even 1.9 for big power. The best thing about this set up is it is minimal weight change over the standard engine. For noise however the V6 has it hands down.

well i think before i go planning what changes i will make to the engine i need to get one and insure it first ha but this does give me lots of food for thought.
i bet the v6 does sound lovely tho.
what is the standard bhp for a 1.3 x19?

I think 75 for the early 1.3 and 85 for the later 1.5. Awesome, huh?!

haha i'm learning now, that does sound impressive chris , but im sure as rob was telling me earlyer there are lots of ways to improve on it.

Hello Jake and welcome. There are loads of mods you can do and i am sure with your skills and your dads experience you can build a real hot rod. Even standard although not lightning fast by todays standards they are good fun and half the crack is that people dont always know what they are if they are younger than 30!

I hope you get one and use the forum to ask any questions or for help.

If you are close to one of us i am sure anyone of us will be happy to invite you over for a chat and look at our x1/9's.

Where are you based?

Regards.

Terry

Hey Terry thank you for the welcome, i know it being a classic it will not as fast as some of the newer cars but i dont mind that, i want something as you said people won't know what it is, a bit of a head turner. which they are for sure.

i know my dad is excited for me to get one coz he has always liked them aswell, i'm not the one with any great skill in mechanics but him and my brother and both good so im sure it will be a good learning curve for myself

i am in the portsmouth area, if anyone is close by it would be nice to see one and have a chat about them. i am also going to the NEC show to see the stand and have a close look.

thanks again Terry
Jake

I think the closest member might be in the isle of wight but i might be wrong... Be good to see you at the NEC.

Thats not that hard to get too plus i am over there a lot so next tim ei know i will be over that way i might try and see if anyone is around n the island.

cheers terry cya up at the show.