Newbie seeking knowledge

Hello guys,

Last night I got it into my head that I needed an x19 in my life so I'm trying to learn as much as I can about the different models/years and things to look out for when buying extra.

From what I've learned so far is that the 1300 models have lower engine covers and nicer bumpers.

I'm also reading that there are some various engine upgrades/swaps that people have done.

Any help or terms and abbreviations that you could help me with would be greatly appreciated.

I'm sure to be asking loads of questions, lots probably silly ones to you guys with the knowledge, but please bare with my while I'm on my learning curve.

As for a bit about me.
Well, I'm rather fond of a project and not afraid to get my hands dirty. I've been into aircooled vw for about 8 years now.
I was lucky enough to get into splitscreens before they went through the roof and whilst in America in 2008 I bought an original hippy van that hadn't been touched in 24 years.
I spent the best part of 7-8 years (on and off) taking off and replacing or repairing just about every component that comes off, including repairing the delaminating wooden interior.

But back to the x19's

Here's my 1st question.

If I prefer the early bumpers the 1300 car type, will the fit onto a later model or is the body changed - I'm guessing they won't but I thought I'd ask.

Thanks in advance.

Jason

My 1970's childhood was blighted by air cooled VW's - the memory of noisy, slow journeys on smelly vinyl seats with your feet being roasted (or gassed) by the heater has produced an almost Pavlovian response when I here that engine. Luckily I had a 'Bertone Runabout' as one of my favourite toy cars and so it was an easy choice when I got older. But, as you say, back to the X19's.
An X1/9 is a great choice as very usable car with lots of luggage space, is capable of covering long distances, the mechanics are good and it is a very distinctive car. The issue of rust always comes up with the cars seeming to be in one of two camps 1. your car rusts no worse than any other car of the era 2. made of terrible steel and it dissolves despite the best efforts of man. Most of them that are left are in the former camp. In common with most cars they have a few places that need careful examination before buying with regard to rust e.g drain holes below the corners of the rear window.
1300 are getting very scarce and consider very carefully a 'restoration' project as the parts availability, especially body panels is nowhere near as good a old VW's. You can covert a 1500 to the 1300 look without too much spanner work as the basic car is the same. However, the genuine parts needed are rare, but you can get fibreglass replicas of the bumpers and engine cover. A guy in Holland has remade the indicators. You would have to weigh up the costs and effort against any perceived improvement in looks.
Good luck

Hi Speedy,
What a great intro, I love your comments at the beginning of your reply.
So, bodies are the same but bumpers for 1300's hard to come by.
OK good start.
Now let me ask about wiring looms.
I had a read of a rebuild thread and saw a PIC of what's behind the dash and nearly had a heart attack. There's a lot of wires there !
Does anybody do replacement looms ?
Jason

There are companies who will make you a new wiring loom but unless I had had a serious short circuit/melt down/fire I would leave as is and fix the problems with the original. I would imagine getting the wiring in and out would be very difficult as much of it was put in during construction. Most electrical problems on older cars are due to poor connections and earths and less likely with the components them selves. With a Haynes manual wiring diagram you can with a bit of patience work through any issues. When I got my car it had a birds nest of 1980's radio and alarm wiring, but I just found the 'start' and then followed it through and pulled it all out.