My
X19-My life-My money?
Well what
can i say about my X19.
I guess the
first thing is if you are looking to buy one you will need a lot of money
to maintain it. The initial out lay for a X19 may be cheap but before long
you will be spending about the same amount you bought the car for, just
maintain it. Don't get me wrong I think the X19 is the best car in the
world and not many people would agree with me. I feel I must point out
that there are going to be lots of problems attaining parts in Australia
the insurance prices are stupid. I got a quote from the NRMA ( One
of the biggest insurers in Australia) they wanted Aud$4600.00 a year to
insure the bloody thing. Not only is insurance a problem but to get a roadworthy
certificate can sometime be difficult when rust appears in places you have
not seen. I recommend if you are thinking about getting an X19 get the
latest model possible in Australia they were imported and sold until 1982
then there where a few here and there 1984 and 1987 but there were only
23 Grand finale brought into Australia the last of which was sold in April
1989. There is one thing interesting about all this and that is I bet NZ
/ Australia where the last to get them and that means we have the latest
model around. I do have one very accurate figure and that is NZ imported
just over 200 Grand Finale X19 in 1988 and had a hard time selling them.
So the best place to find a later module would be NZ not forgetting Australian
car importing laws a car can not be more than 15 years old that does not
leave much time to bring them in. If any one has a 1988+ For Sale i would
be interested.
So you have
driven one and now what one. Ok so you can't find that 1988 model. well
you have really two options unless you get real lucky and find a x19 fuel
injected import and conversion or one that had a lancia engine transplant
but lets face it there are not many around. This it what i would look for.
Make sure it's a 1500 at leas if you get the 1300 you will just want more
power in the first week. one you find a 1500 there are some performance
improvements that can be do for under $3000 that will put a smile on your
face. like twin carbs,a performance cam and extractors for starters.
Well enough
talk this is what I have done. Nothing to the body work yet but a respray
is in order the photo does it credit. Taken at Bondi beach.
I started
with the interior as you can see a sorry site but very fixable.
My interior when I first got
the car.
I think the after is a lot
better.
Well a lot of money later it
looked a hell of a lot better. I was going to get leather but it makes
you sweat and so does vinal and I thing the valure looks better anyway.
So I went for soft comfterble and practicable alternative.
Before: Standard 1500 138
Click on image for more pictires.
Now it has twin 124 carburetors
with a hotted
up cam all installed and
desined by fiatorque
