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Fiat X19 Gran Finale 1500 - reduced to sell For Sale (1989) edit C94726 | | | Grab a chance to buy a mid-engine, two seater Italian Sports car classic. The X19 is becoming a thing of a rarity these days and especially in the condition that I have mine. The car was bought in Feb 2007, the previous owner kept it garaged in all the time that he owned it and I have done the same. Since 2007 a lot of time, money and work has been invested in the car and it really shows now. It is in truly excellent condition and mechanically it runs as if new.
I've given details of the work done below:
* Replaced fuel pipes
* Timing belt replaced
* Replaced front brake pipes
* All brakes have been overhauled (new discs and pads)
* New brake master cylinder
* New clutch and slave cylinder fitted
* Hand brake cable has been replaced
* Recored radiator and new front sender unit
* New headlights with Halogen bulbs fitted
* K&N Air Filter plus rejetted carburettor
* Mild steel CSC Sports exhaust with 4 into 1 inlets
* Electronic Ignition fitted – much more reliable now and starts every time first time
* Fitted a battery isolator switch to cut power when not in use to prevent battery drain
* The alternator has been serviced and recoiled
* Auxiliary switch installed for radiator fan override
* Engine bay cover removed and replaced with colour coordinated mesh to facilitate enhanced cooling. This really works well with the new rad and the car has never overheated or had any cooling issues. The temperature gauge rarely climbs above 90. I still have the original cover in case someone wants to re-attach it (a 5 minute job).
* New Watson radio fitted and rewired. Also new JBL 6" x 4" parcel shelf speakers.
* 4 brand new tyres and alloys fitted. The tyres have been spaced out 20mm for the euro look and are now flush with the wheel arches
Since Oct 2008 a lot of body work has been carried out, that's not to say the body was in bad condition before and there was certainly not any rust as is common with a lot of X19s these days. We felt that the large American bumpers detracted from the real beauty of Bertone's design all those years ago. That being said the car was de-bumpered and now resembles the looks of the 1300 model minus the quarter bumpers. It is a much cleaner finish and you can see all the fine lines in the body shape particularly the nose cone. The front end bumper was taken off and a 1300 grill mounted in front of the radiator. I also attached a 1300 front spoiler. The side mouldings common to the Gran Finale were removed from the driver and passenger door and the holes where the rivets were have been welded and filled by a body shop. The rear bumper was removed and all holes were filled. I had a square number plate made up and put into a chrome surround which looks great with the rectangle lights. The number plate is illuminated by two chrome LEDs that also keep it screwed in place. Once the bumpers were off I had most of the car resprayed in its original colour (Mica Red). The only sections that were not sprayed were the front bonnet, boot lid and engine cover. This was done professionally and I have to say it is a fantastic job which you can see in the pictures. The targa roof was also sanded smooth and resprayed in gloss black. All in all £1000 has been spent on having the respray done and I have receipts to show this.
The inside of the car is also in excellent condition. The seats are original and there is no wear on them at all. The car was taken to a motor show and put on display in 2007 with other X19s (this was when I was a member of the X19 club – subscription subsequently ran out) some of the other club members made comments that these were the best condition seats they had seen for a long time. Despite this I intended to have black leather seats installed which I never got around to doing. The rear view mirror has been replaced with a smaller chrome one. I purchased a stainless steel Bertone gear knob and handbrake handle from the X19 shop which have also been fitted. The door cards have been redone in faux suede and all the clips were replaced too.
Honestly there are not very many bad bits to mention and they are only minor details:
* The steering wheel could do with being replaced because the leather is slightly cracked and worn but this has never bothered me and I think it shows that whilst the car has been used over the years it has still been greatly cared for.
* On the exterior there is a Bertone badge behind both sides of the windows. The one on the passenger side has been cracked in one corner and there is a small piece missing. Replacements can easily be found on Ebay or from a model that is breaking
* The electric windows work fine but wind slowly, I know this is common with the cars throughout the range and I put it down to Fiat's electronics capabilities of the day.
*Front wheels rub ever so slightly because of the spacers but this can be fixed by removing them and the car still turns tight corners fine.
The car is a great pleasure to drive especially roof down and on a nice sunny day. It is responsive and sounds very sporty through the CSC exhaust. The car handles and corners exceptionally despite a lack of power steering because of its light weight. You will not be disappointed when you see the car and I welcome anyone to come and view it. I have an extensive folder of receipts and all the MOT certificates going back to the first one, these will be included to the buyer.
Tax/MOT till Oct 09
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