How fast should an X1/9 be?

How fast should an X1/9 be?
No, seriously, aside from the obvious answers, ("very!", and "as fast as possible", both spring to mind) I found a comment somewhere inamongst my web surfing to the effect that the X1/9 was "not considered a proper sports car" and that prompted the thought (after "bollocks!) why not?
I guess it must be performance - but how fast would be fast enough? or put another way as fast as what - the MR2, a TR6, the MGTF, an MX5 ? they all come in with 0 to 60 times at about 7.7 to 8 secs - about the same as a late montecarlo. Looks like a good target - now how best to get there?

When it was launched it was aimed at the MG spitfire and midget market and it was faster than them in the late 70s and very early 80s and they are all classed as sports cars so the x1/9 should be included, you cant really compare a 70s design to an 80s or 90s design.

Well that's my two penith anyway.

How long is a piece of string? How big is your wallet?
Once you have answered those questions, then anything is possible....
I guess an UT engine conversion done properly should give you a 0-60 time of circa 6 secs which is more than adequate, even amongst a lot of modern cars, so what are you waiting for - go on, do that UT conversion that you're always piping on about

Found another quote - "a proper sports car should have more wheels than doors and more cylinders than wheels" it dates from the late 1950s

"Sports car
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about road going cars. For racing cars, see Sports car racing.



A sports car (sportscar or sport car) is a small, usually two seat, two door automobile designed for spirited performance and nimble handling.[2] Sports cars may be spartan or luxurious but high maneuverability and minimum weight are requisite.[3]"

Seem more like a description to me

A ton on the M25 in my standard 1500 is plenty quick for me in an exxy.

Posted a reply earlier on this but it has vanished - bah

In short the speed of the X1/9 isn't in question, top speed and acceleration are on a par for other cars of the era. Handling was way ahead for all but a few.

The problem is one of perception - the X1/9 was the first mass-produced mid-engined car that sold in any numbers. It was marketed to a much wider audience than other sports cars and was bought by a much wider customer base. That is the problem and perception - a sports car was, until then, driven by hairy chested blokes. The X1/9 gave the sports car mass market appeal and everyone with an eye for Italian styling and a taste for cars ended up with one - including the inevitable fashionista (ie hair dressers). If it has been purchased exclusively by the same hairy chested blokes as other sports cars (especially british sportscars which demanded a degree of masochism) then this discussion wouldn't be taking place.

As for how fast it should be (or could be)...

Despite the difference in engine capacity there shouldn't be much difference in top speed between the 1300 and 1500 thanks to the fact the 1300 tends to rev much more freely while the 1500 is more comfortable (and easier) to drive. A good 1300 will outpace a 1500 but they seem to be hard to find. In practical terms you're talking between 9s and 10s to 60mph and about 110mph top speed unless you've got one of the lucky blocks that isn't slightly distorted in which case it will just keep revving and the speedo goes off the clock. My old (most recent road legal) exxie would rev happily to 9500rpm tended to overheat after a while at those revs... my first one would only rev to 8000rpm.

With the UT engine your performance is pretty sprightly, enough to put the X1/9 in modest supercar territory of that era (at least to 100mph).

With enough money spent the X1/9 with a UT engine will out run most modern supercars up to around 130mph but it will cost you a good £10000 to do it (at least) and you can buy a Porsche 911 (996) for that money or how about a proper british sportscar for the hairy chested - a TVR Chimera 500 will set you back about £8000 and give you 4s 0-60 times and a top speed of about 170mph.

There's a route I sometimes take between Glasgow & Dumfries that takes in some absolutely blissful roads- tight, twisty, undulating B roads that are practically deserted. I'm always amazed by how perfect a package the exxie feels like on these roads, it wants for nothing (bar brakes, shortly to be resolved).

Then, as you approach Dumfries you leave the twisty stuff for a big fast A road. Still a pleasant road with some huge wide open sweeping corners but the car's soul just seems to drop away- it all of a sudden feels gutless.

So, until I do a turbo conversion I'll be sticking to the tightest roads I can. Then I'll get back to you!