Info from National Stats/DVLA on the Fiat 126, Mine really is an old timer !!

[Dan_535]

[e-mail 19th August]"Dear Dan
There are about 3,000 licenced Fiat 126s on the Road in the UK currently and around 39,000 Fiat 126s that are unlicensed and the DVLA has never been notified that they have been disposed of, stolen or exported. 290 were first registered on or around the 1st August 1973. Who knows which of these still exist, though I did note that none of them have been licensed since about 1990.
However, at the moment, your car - VDJ535 M (reg 1st Aug 73) is the oldest Fiat 126 in GB that is licensed. Not by much though – as at the end of last year there were six Fiat 126s that were first registered in 1973 licenced, and the next earliest to yours was first registered on the 20th August 1973. Another may have appeared during the course of this year...you never know how many more there are hidden in barns or being restored etc!

Kind Regards
Daryl"

Feel free to PM me if you want the guy's direct details to find out anything yourselves as he was really helpfull...

[ChrisRLewis]

That is great information!
So who has the oldest unlicensed 126 in the UK?
I know Chris Lakin had a very early 1973 126 model

[1973/126]

 Hi Dan.
 Very interesting. I think yours must be the oldest 126 in the country anyway, as the right hand drive models in the UK were launched in July 1973. Our one was built in August 73, and first registered 23.11.73.
 There is an other member on here Jemima126, who I think has got a 73 car. There was one recently for sale on Car and classic, and I found a photo of this one on the web  http://www.fiatforum.com/lets-talk-fiat/70114-fiat-126-club-uxbridge-show-pics.html
 Surprising is, that there are around 3000 licensed 126. Never thought it is so many of them around

[Dan_535]

Yeh i suspected as such, mine was built in May 1973 (have a letter from FIAT with chasis number and factory batch number to validate that) and reg'd 1st August 73. They were only released for sale on 6th July 73 in the UK market so would be fantastic to find a "L" reg one if it does exist, as only had 3 weeks prior to "M" they must have been rare to start with let alone nowadays, probably just the odd dealer demo and press car only i suspect.

never know as interest goes up to 500 standards a few more owners will bring there beasties out the barns/garages and join the forum eh  [-/

[BadBoyBakewell]

Holy thread resurrection... (Sorry!)

Our restoration is nearly finished, and our July build 1973 (registered on an M) 126 is nearly back on the road.

I'll post some pics (or probably my good lady wife will do, as it's her car!) very soon...

[madmonk]

Hi mine was 1st reg on 13 Aug 1973. Not on the road just yet.

[Early126]

How about mine? reg ABB 344 M also 1973 and on the road

[Bar Vitelli]

1st August 1973 for me, in my favourite blue colour too! Does anyone have a RHD 1973 car in white?