Author Topic: Happy End on ebay... warning!  (Read 11526 times)

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michaelodonnell500

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Re: Happy End on ebay... warning!
« Reply #15 on: October 24, 2010, 06:49:09 PM »
doesn't sound like there's much of a happy ending for the happy end :(
Rust does not discriminate

dajwid

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Re: Happy End on ebay... warning!
« Reply #16 on: October 24, 2010, 07:04:34 PM »
The later ones certainly rot quickly, very often along the front of the roof of all places, very thin steel and poorly treated.


Amateb8

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Re: Happy End on ebay... warning!
« Reply #17 on: October 24, 2010, 10:09:14 PM »
Usually the final editions are suppose to be better built. Usually car makers save the best for last by having special editions, the final hurrah, final tweaks/modifications etc. before the new replacement gets launched. If it is true, looks like Fiat FSM did the opposite.

The sheet metal of my Bis already feels quite thin, so the "Happy Ending" edition can't be thiner. ???

fiatfsm

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Re: Happy End on ebay... warning!
« Reply #18 on: October 25, 2010, 09:57:09 AM »
Talking to a Polish Fiat dealer back in 2004, he said the 126 was selling poorly by the late 1990s as people could now get more modern vehicles easier than before. The Happy End was just a ordinary 126 with a sticker on the back, the red ones are no different at all. Im not sure but did they have different seat fabrics?

Anyway, there was a guy in Germany who used to import them from Poland and sell them to students etc as cheap transportation. He was from Hamburg and he had to carry out many modifications to get them through a German TuV, I was in contact with him for a while in 2001 as he had a couple left but between us we could not get it registered in the UK.

If you really want a late one, then youll need an early one so you could ring it... illegal and also if a 126 fan who is a copper sees it he will realise that somethings wrong :)

Best bet is to buy from someone who is English and selling a UK registered and MOTd car, then at least they understand whats needed and usually if a car has had a major resto in the UK the underside will be properly welded and not tacked in place!
1987 Fiat 126 FSM, alloys, clear lights, Polish tat accessories... love it!

Eklipze3k

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Re: Happy End on ebay... warning!
« Reply #19 on: October 25, 2010, 10:03:13 AM »
Best bet is to buy from someone who is English...

And what's wrong with Scots/Welsh/Irish?  >:(

bath126p

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Re: Happy End on ebay... warning!
« Reply #20 on: October 25, 2010, 10:20:20 AM »
If you fit a later car with a pre-92 engine and can prove it using the docs from the earlier car or some other kind of acceptable proof, then it can pass an MoT.
I have a 95 Mini with an 88 Metro engine, making it exempt from a cat test.

I also have a 1997 126 on English plates - it's possible if you are determined enough. That Happy End would need an inspection until next year though as has been said.

Also, I don't really buy into this whole bad Polish workmanship thing. Sure, Poles can be  good at bodging things but so can us Brits... check this out!

http://mk1-forum.net/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=908
« Last Edit: October 25, 2010, 10:23:32 AM by bath126p »

Darrell

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Re: Happy End on ebay... warning!
« Reply #21 on: October 25, 2010, 10:50:11 AM »
I agree, I don't buy into the sentiment of bad Polish workmanship.
I have been helping a buddy with a 900E camper (crazy little camper)
Lovingly restored...however this year a piece about 10 inches by 10 inches fell out the rear wheel arch during it's MOT.
The piece is mostly filler and that aluminium gauze stuff. Closer inspection revealed the sills and lower doors are exactly the same!
Considering the 900E is not a whole lot older than the 126, my 126 had far fewer holes in it and was made in...... [-/
When I was looking for a 126 I decided I'd prefer a right hand drive, not 100% necessary but thats what I thought I wanted at the time, and did not want to get involved with registering.
I think anyone getting annoyed with unregistered cars coming into the country has to ask themselves 'surely a bit of research into the matter would highlight the issues?' therefore persons buying these cars have themselves to blame for not researching the issue.

Frankly, ranting at 'Poles' doesn't help the issue, thats my opinion, however a warning is a fine thing to do on a forum which we hope all potentian 126 owners will frequent.
If there is a market it will be filled like all the ex-Zimbabwean E type Jag's all ended-up in UK or in Australia.

You guys are all my mates so let's quit this discussion and move-on to the normal 126 madness :)

'84 aircooled 126 & 500F still in kit form
Not the only African in the village :)

bath126p

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Re: Happy End on ebay... warning!
« Reply #22 on: October 25, 2010, 11:23:43 AM »
In fairness I'd probably rather have a nice 70's or 80's RHD car, but buying our little 126p from Poland formed the basis of an unforgettable road trip, so it was worth it.

Mind you, the gf has nicked it and she lives in Manchester, so I might not see it for a while!

Darrell

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Re: Happy End on ebay... warning!
« Reply #23 on: October 25, 2010, 12:14:37 PM »
So your 126 went from Poland to here!  [-/

Sounds like alot of fun if you did ;D
'84 aircooled 126 & 500F still in kit form
Not the only African in the village :)

bath126p

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Re: Happy End on ebay... warning!
« Reply #24 on: October 25, 2010, 01:31:10 PM »

bis13

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Re: Happy End on ebay... warning!
« Reply #25 on: October 26, 2010, 09:10:00 AM »
i prefer driving my left hooker polish 126 as i can scare the crap out of my wife with on coming cars! i still want to see a fight so it looks like its back to aircooled v bis who wants it!!! 

Darrell

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Re: Happy End on ebay... warning!
« Reply #26 on: October 26, 2010, 12:59:53 PM »
They're all busy with head gaskets  :P
'84 aircooled 126 & 500F still in kit form
Not the only African in the village :)

fiatfsm

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Re: Happy End on ebay... warning!
« Reply #27 on: October 26, 2010, 01:26:28 PM »
Dont get me started on the Bis ;) As we used to say, If its a Bis, Ill give it a miss [-/ LOL
1987 Fiat 126 FSM, alloys, clear lights, Polish tat accessories... love it!

Kent126

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Re: Happy End on ebay... warning!
« Reply #28 on: October 26, 2010, 01:36:33 PM »
Im just wondering what the issue is with registering Polish cars in the UK? Because when I bought Jan's car from him last year I registered it with the DVLA with no issues at all! British registration JKM 805Y was given to me easily! No tax to pay, only the initial £25 initial V5 fee and that was it! I did however have a British MOT on it, when I bought it!

Then I sold it with the British plates on!

It was a 1983 model though if that makes a difference?

Regards,
Tom
1974 Italian Fiat 126 TA
1996 Fiat Cinquecento Sporting
2008 Fiat Panda 100HP

Darrell

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Re: Happy End on ebay... warning!
« Reply #29 on: October 26, 2010, 01:59:12 PM »
It's got something to do with the age (2001) just less than 10 years I guess.

Anyone wanting to register a car here would have to research it no?
'84 aircooled 126 & 500F still in kit form
Not the only African in the village :)