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Fiat 126 Models
HistoryThe 126 used much of the same mechanical underpinnings and layout as its Fiat 500 rear-engined predecessor with which it shared its wheelbase, but featured an all new bodyshell closely resembling a scaled-down Fiat 127. Engine capacity was increased from 594 cc to 652 cc at the end of 1977 when the cylinder bore was increased from 73.5 to 77 mm. Claimed power output was unchanged at 23 PS (17 kW; 23 hp), but torque was increased from 39 N·m (29 lb·ft) to 43 newton metres (32 lb·ft). A subsequent increase took the engine size to 704 cc in new "restyling" model Fiat 126 Bis (1987–1991), with 26 hp (19 kW) of motive power. In Italy, the car was produced in the plants of Cassino and Termini Imerese until the 1980s. The car continued however to be manufactured by FSM in Poland, where the 126 was produced from 1973 to 2000 as the Polski Fiat 126p. After the introduction of the 126 Bis (126p with water-cooled engine - Polish own construction), the original model continued to be produced for the Polish market. The car was also produced on license by Zastava in Yugoslavia. In 1984, the 126 received a facelift, giving it plastic bumpers (for all versions) and a new dashboard. This model named Fiat 126p FL. In 1994, the 126p received its next facelift, and some parts from Fiat Cinquecento, this version named 126 EL. The 126 ELX introduced a catalytic converter. Despite clever marketing, the 126 never achieved the frenzied popularity of the 500. The total number of 126 produced is : 1,352,912 in Italy, 3,318,674 in Poland, 2,069 in Austria, and an unknown number in Yugoslavia. Polski Fiat 126pThe car was produced in Poland under the brand Polski Fiat 126p (literally in English: Polish Fiat 126p) between 1973 and 2000. At first it was almost identical with the basic model: differences included the higher chassis, the modified grille on the back, and the front blinkers that were white in Italy but orange for other markets. To distinguish it from the original Italian car, the letter "p" was added to its name. It was produced by Fabryka Samochodów Malolitrazowych (FSM) in Bielsko-Biala and Tychy under Italian Fiat license. Due to a relatively low price it used to be very popular in Poland and was arguably the most popular car in Poland in 1980s. Its very small size gave it the nickname Maluch ("the small one", pronounced ['malux]). The nickname became so popular that in 1997 it was accepted by the producer as the official name of the car. It was exported to many Eastern Bloc countries and for several years it was one of the most popular cars in Poland and in Hungary, too. It also found market success in Australia for several years from the late 1980s to the early 1990s under the name FSM Niki. History of PF 126p
The global production of this amiable car was 4,673,655 units: 1,352,912 in Italy, 2,069 in Austria by Fiat-Steyr and 3,318,674 in Poland. Political connotationsThe PF 126p has a very special meaning for the Poles and its story had a connection with Polish politics during the communist period (Polish People's Republic, up to 1989). In a communist system, a private car was considered a luxury good, due to limited availability and low salaries. In 1971 there were only 556,000 passenger cars in Poland. In a socialist planned economy, decisions on whether a state-owned factory could produce a car were taken on political and not just economic grounds. The authorities themselves initially did not find the idea of private cars attractive. The first relatively cheap Polish car was the Syrena, but its production was limited. Limited numbers of cars were also imported from other Eastern Bloc countries. It was difficult to buy a foreign car because the Polish zloty, like currencies in other communist states, was not convertible, and there was no free market. The PF 126p was supposed to be the first real popular car, to motorize ordinary families. The licence was bought after the rise to power of a new communist party leader, Edward Gierek, who wanted to gain popular favour by increasing consumption after the Spartan period under Wladyslaw Gomulka. Despite the fact that it was a very small city car, it was the only choice for most families, playing a role of a family car. During holidays it was common to see four-person families driving PF-126s abroad with huge suitcases on a roof rack; sightings of PF-126s towing a small Niewiadów N126 caravan specially designed for the PF 126 were also occasionally reported. PF 126p production, however, was not sufficient and the PF 126p was distributed through a waiting list. Often families had to wait a couple of years to buy a car. A coupon for a car could also be given by the authorities based on merit. NicknamesIn Poland it is called Maluch, which literally means "small one" or toddler, as well as maly Fiat ("small Fiat"), in contrast to Fiat 125p, called duzy Fiat ("big Fiat"). In some regions, it is also called Kaszlak litteraly "cougher" (derived from kaszel meaning "cough", as its engine's sound resembles a cough when it is started). In Albania it is known as Kikirez. In Serbo-Croatian it is known as Peglica (meaning "little iron"). In Slovene the 126 is also called Bolha ("flea"), Pici-poki (loosely translated as "fast-and-loud") or Kalimero on Slovenian coast after a cartoon character Calimero. it was also called Pejek In Hungarian, it is known as kispolszki ("little Polish", while the 125p is the nagypolszki, meaning "big Polish"), kispolák ("little Pole") or törpe-polyák ("dwarf Pole"); also, the car was nicknamed egérkamion, meaning "a mouse's truck", or libakergeto, meaning "goose cheaser", bádogbugyi "tin pant" and even Gomulka bosszúja "revenge of Gomulka", referring to the Polish politician. In Germany the Fiat 126 was known as the Bambino, the Italian word for child. In Cuba it is known as "Polaquito" and in Chile as "Bototo".
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