Launched in 1972 as an eventual replacement for the Fiat 500, the 126 was a tiny city car continuing the legacy of the original Topolino as a basic transportation module for very little money.
Sharing the basic mechanical underpinnings of its predecessor, with an enlarged interior thanks to the new body and the air-cooled 499cc 2-cylinder powerplant enlarged to 594cc and now producing 23 horsepower.
Starting in 1973 the 126 was also produced under license in Poland as the 126p and, in fact, continued to be produced there long after Italian production ended in the late Seventies.
Starting in late '77 the engine displacement was increased again to 652cc and, while claimed power output remained the same, torque was bumped to 32 lb/ft.
While never officially imported to the U.S.A., some dedicated fans have imported them, like this guy, who has an entire YouTube channel dedicated to his 1989 Polski Fiat 126p adventures.
I snapped it in September of 2024 using an Olympus OM-D E-M1X and a Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-60mm f/2.8-4 OIS zoom lens.
It looks like it's about 1/2 step above a Yugo. ;^)
ReplyDeleteA Yugo was much larger and plusher!
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