Fiat 126p - a passenger car of the smallest car class, produced from 1972 to 2000 by Fiat and under Italian license by the Fabryka Samochodów Małolitrażowych in Bielsko Biała and Tychy.
Since 1997 Fiat was officially called Maluch, it was the successor and technical development of the 500 Nuova, produced since 1957. In the beginning, engines of 600 cc and 23 hp were assembled, and from 1977 engines of 650 cc and 24 hp (both air-cooled) were installed.
It was also called: "caszlak, little Fiat, rolling, world's smallest truck".
Maluch was the most popular car on Polish roads, it was to be a generally available car for Polish families. The state price of the first copies was 69,000 zlotys (about 18 -20 average salaries). Unfortunately, these were only assumptions, and in fact the car could be bought with a voucher or with so-called "hard currency - USD $". Allotments (vouchers) were given to prominents (secretaries of the Polish United Workers' Party, directors, militia commanders and people in high positions close to the authorities). The lucky ones were also able to purchase a car with prepaid PKO payments on so-called "car books," of course, the allotment was awarded by drawing lots. Also interesting was the fact that when a car purchased at Polmozbyt at the state price, drove through the gate of the showroom, momentarily its stock price increased even twice. This was incomprehensible and unbelievable to our distant neighbors from across the western border.
In order to reach their destination safely and without problems, many drivers in older Maluchs had a mobile warehouse of spare parts in the trunk, including the ignition unit, fuel pump, carburetor, spark plugs, wheel joint, jack and gearbox linkage, V-belt and the indispensable brushstick or hanger for "starting" the engine when the starter rope broke. These were usually used parts after repairs and reconditioning, unfortunately new parts were not available in automotive stores (Polmozbytes).
In total, more than 3,300,000 were produced at the Bielsko Biala and Tychy factories.
The Fiat 126p in those years was a symbol of prosperity and high social standing.
Want to learn more about the history of Fiat 126p the legend of Polish motoring ? See HERE
Fiat 126p - metal car by Welly for collectors.
- scale: 1/21
A bit of history in the video: