DC's Motoring Diary
Chapter 1
	The Hunt Is On

I suppose my search  for an X1/9 began about five years ago when my sons were still in their teens. At that time they became interested in radio controlled model cars and we went through a period of building a series of ever more complicated models. The last one was a 4-wheel drive 4-wheel steer monster truck. The satisfaction gained from these efforts set me thinking about building a real car.

This introduced me to the world of kit cars and three years ago visited the Kit-car show at Stoneleigh. I was impressed by it all and made my self two promises. Firstly I must get a better set of wheels than my commuter-box and secondly I could not go back to Stoneleigh, or any other kit-car show, in anything but a "respectable" vehicle.

So I set about drawing up a specification of my ideal car. (Two-seater, convertible, mid-engined, independent suspension, disc brakes etc. etc.- sounds familiar?). However I soon found that the requirements for looks and performance contradicted to those of price and "buildability". I also thought the motoring was about driving and the idea of spending 6 to 9 months in a cold garage building the object of my desires did not appeal at all. Thoughts therefore moved on to a "modern classic" and the comparison of my spec. to what was available pointed to only one car - the X1/9.

So about six months ago the Midland AutoTrader became compulsive reading on a Friday and the local paper was scanned every Wednesday. On a good week there are 3 or 4 exxy's in the AutoTrader but rarely any in the local press. Over this period I saw some overpriced ones, rusty ones and some down-right doggy ones. There was the one that none of the electric's worked and the vendor swore blind it was only a fuse. Then there was the guy with so many spare parts he was "waiting to fit" that I'd end up with two for the price of one.

After 3 or 4 months I came to the conclusion that pricing did not follow any pre-set rules and that in the end it was down to me to convince myself that the investment was worth it.

I had set myself a budget of £2,000 and the best one I saw was priced at £2,950. After looking it over on the Saturday I procrastinated 'till Tuesday because of the price and of course someone else was more decisive.

Eventually I saw a 1987 1500 advertised for £2250 at a local dealer. After a mix-up of meeting places I arrived at a lock-up workshop in a Birmingham suburb at 4.30 on a wet Sunday in January. As the light went on I found myself surrounded by 6 or 8 cars in various states of repair. That appears to be a Porsche, that an Aston Martin and the rest were unknown to me. (I later found out they were De Tomaso Pantera's). The only complete car appeared to be the black Exxy in the corner. Taken in part exchange (I've not heard that one before) and fresh from the steam cleaners, it looked pretty good in the half light. I gave it the once over and it seemed sound, yes the wheels were corroded, the passenger mirror was hanging off and one part of the nearside sill was decidedly "soft". But it fired up OK and ran like a dream.

I now faced a dilemma. There was no chance of a test drive tonight and there were other "interested" parties. Remembering the one that got away, a small amount of money changed hands to guarantee first refusal. Thursday was the first day I could get to see it again and have the test drive. In the daylight it looked as good as I had remembered and the trusting vendor handed me the keys and said off you go. Moving from my N-reg Xantia Diesel Estate to my first drive of an E-reg X1/9 was quite an experience in itself. To take the test drive at 9:20 am though the back streets of Birmingham was something else. The moment of truth was approaching fast - to buy or not to buy.

The clincher came in the form of a large cardboard box marked X1/9. Inside was the original service history stamped from 0 to 69,000 miles at regular 5,000 mile intervals, the original handbook and all the bills and receipts of the previous two owners since 1990. Most importantly there were 32 back copies Icsunonove, surely it must have been a loved car.

So by Saturday morning I was the new proud owner. All I had to do now was to convince 'er in doors that its an investment!

 If you would like to read more of my diary of ownership click here

Contact:

Mail : 26 Newton Close, Oakenshaw South, Redditch, Worcestershire, B98 7YR

Home Tel. : 01527 404365

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e-mail : derek.coombes@virgin.net

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