Fiat 126P in the USA

[polonus]

Well... not quite yet, but it should be here in four weeks. It is in Bremerhaven now waiting for vessel to Charleston, SC.

I grew up in Poland. My first car was a 1936 Mercedes 170V - bought it in 1975. Not as a "oldie", or classic, but as a everyday transportation. Unfortunately this car wasn't reliable, so when my dad bought his first 126P year later, white 600cc, I sold Mercedes and "borrowed" dad's car.

Later we had another one,  650 and in 1981 I left Poland. Living here I had all kind of cars, including three Mustangs V8, Jeep Wrangler, etc. Now I have 600 hp supercharged M3 and... a Polski Fiat 126P.

I didn't see the car yet, my bro-in-law checked it and bought it for me. It is 1988 FL, no rust, only 45000 km.  It will be only one of maybe five 126 in the USA. At list I know only about four others - possibly there  are few more. but certainly not many.  And I am planning to use it as a daily driver, alongside my Bimmer.

Few pictures of my car, I'll have more plus video when car actually will be here.

 

[Amateb8]

It must be quite a sight to see specially in the US where most American cars, particularly the older ones, are large. Just imagine, the little Fiat 126 next to those large American pickups. The wow factor over there will not just be cuteness etc, but also its rarity. Have you thought of importing more? Have fun!!!!

Perhaps I can send one to my brother.

[kev126]

Welcome! I wish the best of luck for the import, it looks in nice condition

[polonus]

Have you thought of importing more? Have fun!!!!

I have to see how it will go the first time.  I am not sure how all the legal difficulties will be solved.

Car is over 25 years old, so is exempt from all US safety regulations, but to register car here title is required, and in Poland there is not such thing as a "title". However car is registered under my daughter's name and she will register it here too - so I hope the whole process will be relatively easy.

[Seabee1978126]

First off, welcome! Im in Italy now but in about a year or so ill be heading to the US. Ill be shipping my 78 126 with me as well. Ill prolly be in Virginia for a while. Thats only about 2-2.5 hrs away from SC. We shold try to stay in contact and hit eachother up when i get there!

[polonus]

We shold try to stay in contact and hit eachother up when i get there!

I hope to show my car at events like "Cars and Coffee" or similar ones, where car enthusiasts meet.

[Seabee1978126]

Ive never heard of that, but, im down

[polonus]

I've never been at Cars and Coffee, but I know in Charlotte there is a car enthusiasts meeting on regular basis. Unfortunately I have to work weekends now, but it may change in few months. 

[wrodka]

Welcome here.

I invite you to join the Fiat 126 map and you will see there is an other fiat 126 in USA.

[polonus]

Welcome here.

I invite you to join the Fiat 126 map and you will see there is an other fiat 126 in USA.

I sent you an email, you can add my car either as a "polonus" or "hiob".

[wrodka]

Thank you for your participation. You are now on the map.

[polonus]

My car arrived today: 

[Seabee1978126]

Congrats! Looks like she arrived in one piece!!

[polonus]

Congrats! Looks like she arrived in one piece!!

Yes, and she is in great shape, for her 25. I did several movies with her for YouTube,  in Polish, and after five days two of them had over 70 thousand viewers each.      I think I need to make one more in English to introduce that car to Americans.  

BTW mine was made in Tychy plant, where the new 500 is made now, but in the USA 500 comes from Mexico. However the new new 500, in 2015, will be made only in Poland, so we will have more Polski's here.  

[rom]

Nice.  Care to elaborate on the details of getting it to America?  Like how much it cost to get it from Poland to the states, what shipper you used, how hard it was to actually get it registered.  I've just started the the research process to import a 126p from Poland to New York City and while it doesn't seem too daunting, it would be nice to hear from somebody who actually experienced the process.

My wife is Polish (grew up in Białystok), we spend a month in Poland every year and I fell in love with the little cars. Now I want one. Plus, I can't wait to see the looks on the faces of my in-laws when we pull up in maluch.