Club126UK
Welcome to the CLUB126UK Forum => Introduce Yourself => Topic started by: dorian_gray on December 13, 2012, 04:45:08 PM
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Hi everybody.
It gives me a great pleasure to join the Fiat126 community.
I've been browsing the internet for a while and accidentally discovered this web site.
I do not have a 126 myself at present moment , however I know the model very very well.
In 1994 as a young man who has had just passed his driving entitlement I couldn't afford to buy anything else. The choice was simple – a lovely little fiat 126.
I must admit that my father also had owned same model – I suppose it has encouraged me to do the same.
Having said that I know the car very well I must say – I've learnt almost everything about this car by regularly fixing it myself. There was always something that kept me busy. Especially winter period was the time of the year when everything cumulate.
I also remember the fact that my basement was fully filed out with every spare part I possibly could get that time.
Well, the time goes by, car has been sold long time ago. I thought that I've already forgotten about the model but......there it is - forum with fiat 126 enthusiasts peoples.
So thank you for giving me the opportunities to join you here.
Regards
Steve
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Welcome!!! You just know you need another 126 :-) Bring back the good old days, the sound of the engine roaring (well not really) ;D
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Welcome!!! You just know you need another 126 :-) Bring back the good old days, the sound of the engine roaring (well not really) ;D
Yes that would be brilliant - however for restoration project I would need a garage.
Especially to work on body.
I've been browsing the internet and looking for some auctions (ebay) but there isn't anything I would go for in this specific moment.
It might be a good idea of importing LHD?
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There are plenty of cheap Polish cars in the UK, they often come up on Ebay.
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Hello and welcome to the forum. You know you want one. Go for it!
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There are plenty of cheap Polish cars in the UK, they often come up on Ebay.
Yes that is right, however I would prefer to pick the car that was already renovated rather than doing everything myself at later stage. That is why I came up with the import idea ;)
I don't want to take advantage of your good nature but I would like to ask you:
Do you know anybody who actually went through that whole import procedure?
I am not asking how to bring it and where to buy a car - I presume this part would be de easiest.
What I really would like to know is: how difficult is to register the car ( paperwork, rules, laws etc ).
According to this forum ( posts from 2005 ) there is a rule that regulate the age of the car that has been imported - something to do with emission.
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Welcome to the forum.
To be honest I think the hardest part would be to find a decent car, unless you got some good friends or family in Poland. Without seeing one in person you just dont` know what you buying.
These cars have a much harder life in Eastern Europe and the good ones are far and few between. It doesn`t seem to be many of the earlier ones coming in from Poland anymore. I`m assuming they are fetching better prices now in they homeland.
The registration part is easy and it`s possible to get even the later cars registered in the UK.
It would probably be easier to get a decent UK car. There are still some good ones about, you just need to keep your eyes opened.
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The registration part is easy and it`s possible to get even the later cars registered in the UK.
Thank you for reply.
Are you absolutely positive that there isn't any regulation regarding the age of the vehicle that has been imported?
In that case the Mot would be the only barrier to cross - am I right?
Having said that the Head lights must be swapped and depend of the Mot station they sometimes require to change the speedo as well.
To be honest I think the hardest part would be to find a decent car, unless you got some good friends or family in Poland. Without seeing one in person you just dont` know what you buying.
These cars have a much harder life in Eastern Europe and the good ones are far and few between. It doesn`t seem to be many of the earlier ones coming in from Poland anymore. I`m assuming they are fetching better prices now in they homeland.
Believe me, there are plenty of 126's still available on the Polish market.
Some of that car are in immaculate condition.
Bear in mind that some of the cars used to be owned by only one previous keeper / owner.
Some of these peoples were class as "old generation" - they sell the car because of the health problem, old age or perhaps some of them has died and the family gets rid of the car.
Winter condition are extreme but.... the old generation I've mentioned in above sentence, very often keeps their cars in garage and sometimes they don't use it during heavy winter.
I know it sounds unreal but I can assure you that is true.
As you are aware the value of this model is incredibly rising.
it makes the Fiat 126 a good investment for the collectors ;D
That is why I think it is about right time to buy one for myself ;D
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Find a good mot station. Find the scruffiest garage you can and ask them, explain why you need a friendly mot station. Don't go to any franchise stations, or anywhere with special offers on mot's, they will rip you off. Any where with expensive signs is normally best avoided as well.
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I had a 1995 126 which we got MOT-ed and registered with no problems and there are plenty other later cars registered in this country so it must be possible.
As Mark says it depend on the garage, but as far as your car is sound the MOT shouldn`t be a problem.
I`m from the Eastern block myself and I know the cars have a much harder life there. I know there are some genuine cars around, as I picked up one of these, but believe me most of them have been welded and had few paint jobs in they life already.
I also have seen some really nice looking 126s which came over from Poland. Nice and shiny from the outside with a fresh paint job and nice and crusty underneath.
You just need to be able to see the car in real life as buying something over the phone or internet could mean disaster.
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I bought my VW camper over from Poland when I moved back here. Mot was no problem at all, I did change the lights although beam benders would have worked. (note finding decent RHD 126 headlights could be tough). There is no need to change the speedo, siply the tester does not know, so recomends changing it over.
I totally agree about the shiny car and crusty underneath comment. I bough a great 126 in Poland looked mint. It had the lovely plastic inner wheel arch protectors fitted, when removed it was just rust. The car was broken for parts.
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The slightly stricter mot tester I used to use told me to take beam bending stickers with me to the mot if I fitted lhd lights. I almost had to.
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Isn't there an issue for 126s with catalytic converters for later 126ps (1997 to 2000 year) not meeting UK emission standards? Finding a "friendly" MoT station can be tricky, and stressful as you will always have the uncertainty every year. The car might be difficult to sell with the emissions problem. You could end up with a car that is not driveable here and unsaleable, unless for parts. There is also concern about poor anti-rust treatment for the aforementioned late model years, particularly the EL and ELX models.
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There have only been 28 registered since 2001, I don't know what year any of them were built.
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Isn't there an issue for 126s with catalytic converters for later 126ps (1997 to 2000 year) not meeting UK emission standards? Finding a "friendly" MoT station can be tricky, and stressful as you will always have the uncertainty every year. The car might be difficult to sell with the emissions problem. You could end up with a car that is not driveable here and unsaleable, unless for parts.
I was reading bout that. Before I decide anything I must be sure the imported car would match the Uk criteria.
Your message indicate that cars produced before 1997 ( no cat. converter ) would be possible to register.
Any idea where can I possibly find the official regulations?
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pre 1999 is Ok it is 2000 that is the problem as Poland was in the EU.
But personally Avoid any of the 90s 126 They are rusty, really rusty unless by some miracle they were dry stored. there was little rust proofing at all and the steel used was of Very poor quality. Some were starting to rust on the garage forecourt ;D
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pre 1999 is Ok it is 2000 that is the problem as Poland was in the EU.
But personally Avoid any of the 90s 126 They are rusty, really rusty unless by some miracle they were dry stored. there was little rust proofing at all and the steel used was of Very poor quality. Some were starting to rust on the garage forecourt ;D
How far as I know Poland wasn't part of that time. They become a EU member in 2004.
I would consider to buy something between 1977 - 1986. Simple reason - I like the interior :D
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I think it was originally a car made in a EU country after 1999 had to comply with EU emission laws. Poland added the 'charcoal filter box thingy' on the 126 to comply.
I am pretty sure it was only a problem importing cars made after 1999 but this changed in April.
But once again if buying in Poland be careful, take a Polish speaker ;) Trying to register the car at the local town hall is great fun :D Polish insurance covers the car for 30 days though so no worries there.
Why not just buy a Polish car that is already in the Uk?
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But once again if buying in Poland be careful, take a Polish speaker ;) Trying to register the car at the local town hall is great fun :D Polish insurance covers the car for 30 days though so no worries there.
Why not just buy a Polish car that is already in the Uk?
Why not buying directly here in UK?
Well, simple reason. Most of the 126's here are water cooled ( BIS ) which I am not keen of.
There isn't much air cooled version available here. Once something shows up - surely the condition of the car will not be "attractive" :) ( I hope you know what I mean ).
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The Bis in actual fact had a limited run. They sold watercooled versions from 1998 to 1992 in the UK and elsewhere. Personally, watercooled versions are fine. There are quite a few advantages of buying a watercooled Bis. The engine is quieter, more practical (hatchback plus additional luggage space), electric wash/wipe, better alternator, bayonet fuses, superior heating system, headrest, larger wheels (so has a smoother ride), gear ratios, just to name a few. However, you need to keep an eye on the cooling system and water gauge and ensure that the automatic electric fan works.
There are from time to time a number of UK aircooled (AC) 126s being sold on ebay, Car and Classic, Gumtree et al. Just keep on looking at these websites. BTW, one of the biggest advantage with AC, is there are lots of hop-up/Abarth parts for it.
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I think it is to do with the eu compliance certificate.
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I've just noticed an auction on ebay
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/380537630370?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649
What do you think about that?
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We don't know what damage has been done to the suspension and suspension mounting points. It does look like a very good car though.
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If it goes for the right money could be good.
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If it goes for the right money could be good.
What is the right money?
What sort of price is on your mind?
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Hi Steve !
A warm welcome on board.
Kind regards also from Italy !
Fred.
;D