1978 Fiat X1/9 Lido
The X1/9 Lido special edition was named after the famous Parisian cabaret and burlesque show, adding a real touch of glamour to the already stylish mid-engine sportscar. The only version of the icsunonove to boast bumpers complete with chrome, this alone had a huge affect on its desirability. The Lido also added metallic black paint, white alacantara upholstery, silver pin-stripes and some unique, individually numbered badges. Delivered to the dealerships just before the launch of the 1500cc engined X1/9 was launched, only 700 of these were apparently every built.
While it’s clear that it’s been a while since this particular Lido was painting the Champs-Elysee red with a feather boa protruding from its targa top, we were still excited to see it arrive. It has, amazingly, been in a garage since 1988, taken off the road because it needed a new clutch, flywheel and back box. And there it has sat ever since, with the speedo’ frozen on an unbelievably low 35,000 miles! Its owner sent it our way for an idea on what would be needed for a full restoration.
This amount of time sitting stationary isn’t going to be kind to any car, let alone an X1/9. The car appears to be entirely complete, with all of the various Lido features present and correct. We haven’t yet attempted to start the 1300 engine, but have checked it over bodily and structurally for an initial overview of what it might take to get this old glamourpuss back doing the can-can.
Check back here for updates to see what the next stage is.
Update 10/05/20
After our initial inspection of the car we discussed with its owner what a full scale restoration would require. We’re pleased to say that work has now started in earnest on the restoration of the Lido. We cleaned off the detritus that had built up during its decades-long sabatical, to fully see the extent of the corrosion, before stripping out the engine and interior.
Let’s just say this one is going to keep our welding torch hot for a while! Check out the pictures below for some detail shots (for those of a sensitive nature, be warned that there are graphic images of the ravages of tin worm on a classic Italian car!)
We’ve already sourced plenty of replacement panels and started preparation work for the new metal to go in. This is going to be a very long-term project, no doubt, but when it’s finished we’re confident it will have all been worth it. If you’d like to track our progress with this project, check back here regularly and be sure to follow us on social media too.
Update 19/09/20
It’s been a while since we updated you all on the X1/9 Lido but, over the summer, lots of progress has been made.
The body is now fully intact once more and, after being stripped back to the bare metal throughout is now with our chosen respray specialists (take a flick through the gallery to see its rather illustrious company in the booths!). It’s now receiving the first coats of primer but, in the meantime, work continues apace back in the italicar workshhop.
The engine block has been fully stripped, decontaminated, cleaned, rust-proofed and painted. We honed the cylinder bores, fitted new piston rings, new big end shells, new thrust washers before replacing all gaskets and seals. Tolerances have all been checked to factory standards and then we moved on to the head, which has been refaced and treated to all new valves, valve stem seals and oil seals.
Plenty of other components have been refurbished, powder coated and treated too - they’re looking as good as new. We’re just itching to put it all back together now!
Update 04/07/21
It’s been a while since we updated this page with our progress on the X1/9 Lido restoration. But, that doesn’t mean we haven’t made any - in fact, it’s a very different car to the one that arrived here in Renson Close just over a year ago!
UPDATE 08/08/21
We’re definitely in the final stages of rescuing the X1/9 Lido now; we call these stages “putting the eyebrows on”. As soon as the lights were in place and popping-up as eagerly as they did when they were new, the car’s face finally started to look complete again. Not long to go now before we can reveal this restoration in all its glory!
