It’s been a long time since I heard of/thought of Fiat X1/9.
Way back when I was supposed to be working hard on my PhD in biophysics. Took time off to drop a Chevy small block in my ‘75 FJ40 LandCruiser ‘cause I couldn’t locate the diesel offered in Canada.
A work-study student showed up around ‘76 who had some of my same interests. Unusual reptiles and fish, and more money than common sense (he went on to work for Lockheed’s Skunkworks.)
I dropped a full Abarth race engine into his X1/9 and did the body work for fatter tires, etc. Custom air cleaner and modified his tach to accomodate the much higher RPMs.
Had my first and hopefully last battery explosion. Was using a motorcycle battery to power his distributor, chucked in a lathe so I could calibrate a new gauge face. Clip leads and points too close to the battery near the headstock.
I did his body work with fluxed brazing rods - I was that good. Didn’t learn how to stick weld until 7 years ago. Only bringing this up because university security got to the point they’d just shake their heads and walk on when they saw oxy-acetylene torch run coming out of the lab window...
He rallied that car, I had fun with a stock ‘71 MGB I bought with my ‘mustering out’ pay.
Now we're talking! THAT would make an X19 really interesting. When I was a kid, working at the Fiat dealership, one of the mechanics dropped a 124 Spyder engine in his 850. It didn't handle but it would pull the front wheels off the ground. Too much weight in the back.
I had a 1960 MGA that I dropped a high compression Buick 215 aluminum V8 into. With sidepipes and rollbar it looked like a baby AC Cobra. The V8 was lighter than the original four-banger that was in it. I also got my hands on a stripped Abarth Fiat 500. Boy it was ugly but it's monocoque body was all aluminum. The rolling chassis didn't even weigh a thousand pounds. I was planning to put a 302 Z28 motor mid-engine in that one but never got around to it. Probably just as well. :) Then there were the Alfas, plus a few hot rods along the way. Good times!
The Small Block into the Land Cruiser was a great swap. I wanted to do one of those.