Yesterday we saw a diminutive Chevy Spark packed to the gills with five passengers and some merchandise from their shopping trip. In Michigan, where a Jeep Grand Cherokee is seen as reasonable transportation for a single adult, it's uncommon to see a sub-compact used to haul so many passengers.
And yet, it's not the Spark that is being misused - it's the Jeep, once reserved for Forest Service or similar duty, that is being used outside of its intended use. A car like today's Fiat 126P might come across as a city car, or fun hatchback to whip around in, but it was designed and utilized as a family car for millions in Europe. It's incredible how perspectives can change.
Sometimes we see stripped-out track cars and can't help but to cringe at the thought of yet another rare classic sacrificing its interior, trim, and dignity for yet another fruitless attempt at track day glory. We would shed a tear for today's Polski Fiat 126P, were it not for the fact that their production eclipsed 3.5 million units - and that's excluding the Fiat-branded units produced elsewhere to the tune of another couple million.
No, we celebrate this track machine, and the car on which it's based. We never lived in communist Poland, so we wonder how Poles would have viewed such a little beast in the 1980s. These were 'coupon cars', after all - families waited years for their 126P in a country were the pickings were slim and individuality was discouraged. Perhaps there is something of a sentimental connection to the 126P, like in the case of East Germans and the Trabant. Whatever the case, we really dig this build.
Click to view listing
Year: 1986 Model: Polski Fiat 126P Engine: 650cc 2-cylinder Transmission: 4-speed manual Mileage: N/A Price: $6,500 Location: Garfield, NJ
Rally Build VIN: SUF126A0008887165 Air cooled 650 cc rear engine 2 cylinder RWD 4 speed manual
The car was imported from the EU in 2017, and has received a clean New Jersey Tittle. The chassis and engine where purchased as a bare package, and the car was assembled at a shop, with some work being done at a Fiat Dealership in Poland. The car has never been registered and driven on roads in the US. I have had it up for sale once in 2018 but buyer fell through.During this time the car has spent half its life in a climate controlled garage, and the rest parked at New Jersey Motorsport Park. Buyer can see the car in 07026, and I may ship the car for free to the tristate, and work with you on shipping the car nationwide.
Suspension overview: Front Coilover conversion, rear abarth springs cut Brake overview: Front and rear Disk brake conversion from Fiat 125 (no handbrake) Engine overview: Power about 40km, built in May 2012 (June 2015 Shaft grinding and new crank and main bearings) -camshaft w111 -head -5.5mm extended duct outlet and cut guides + copper seal -fly wheel 4kg (balanced) -Connecting rods 350g -machined pistons (valve undercut) - belt wheel aluminum divided 1:1 - muffler with strong aluminum plate and removable mute(cut off) -aluminum pushers guards -RC funnel inlet made of fiberglass. -lightly modified serial carburetor -electronic ignition ignition from elegant a ignition cutoff at 7k rpm. Transmission -serial after inspection without leaks
Walk Around Video: https://youtu.be/hmR1pgRXHKI
COLD START VIDEO: https://youtu.be/JzcUTBcwWes
Video of the car racing in 2014 before the bodywork/white paint: https://youtu.be/zx0LnZkVNg0
This price does not include shipping from EU to USA, customs fees, import duties, and NJ tittle, tax & tag fees
Asking Price is $6500
The Good: Custom, metal wide body flares Roll cage Built Motor New Tires New brakes, New wheel bearings, new clutch, basically all wear parts are NEW
The Bad: Car needs a heavy polish or even a wetsand, the bare chassis was at a fabrication shop for several months and sparks landed on the paint, and thus you can see tiny slag points in the clear coat Car is EXTREMELY loud, I wouldn't recommend daily driving it with current exhaust setup. Car has zero catalytic converters, currently and in original/stock form, please check with your state for passing emissions on a cat less 1986 vehicle. Car was never driven on a track, thus may need a shakedown. Car has to have doors closed very hard, it's common for these chassis with the age. Hood latches have surface rust A few spots of paint chips, see pictures Rear of car is pretty low, it will come with new rear springs one may replace or cut to size for required racing requirements
Click to view listing
The sellers has clearly invested some real cash into upgrades and maintenance items for this little runt. The total spending on those items actually exceeds the asking price of the car, which is nice to see as a potential buyer. Judging by the photos, it looks like the work done was performed neatly, and the modifications look like sturdy aftermarket units. We particularly like the front subframe reinforcement, adjustable lower control arms, and seat frame brackets on the interior. We're not roll cage experts, but judging by the thoroughness of the seller, we would imagine that it's been designed and installed with due care.
At one time, $6,500 would have seemed like an astronomical ask for a lowly Polkski 126P. Today, it seems far from unreasonable. Autocrossers and track rats are known to spend far more for a similar setup, so as a track toy, this thing starts to make sense.
Following up the act that was the original Fiat 500 was never going to be an easy task. Using the same rear-engined mechanicals wrapped in a new body shell, the 126 brought supermini styling more in line with the rest of Fiat's lineup at the time. One year after its introduction in 1972, Fiat licensed the 126 to be built in Poland by FSM. The car was dubbed the 126P to differentiate it from the Italian built 126 and was the first vehicle available on a mass scale in the Polish People's Republic. Like the Trabant in East Germany, some customers waited years before taking delivery. This 126P for sale in New York represents a rare chance to procure and Italian supermini with Eastern European ties.
1976 Fiat 126P Ginster Yellow (factory Fiat color) with black interior, 42,138 original kilometers (26,336 miles), 4 speed manual. Brought back to "new" condition at 36,493 kilometers in 2007 using original Fiat parts/panels and anything that was needed. This car was built as an art project personally by Wlodek Pawluczuk (5 time Polish rally champion). It is period correct with all original tasteful details available on the 126 line such as roof antenna, rear fog and reverse light, all chrome exterior pieces, pop out rear windows, factory wide wheels, left and right mirrors, mud flaps, factory seat belts, H4 headlights with city/parking lights, tinted windshield and original radio.
If one wanted a new Fiat 126p had unlimited resources and the knowledgeable expert to make it happen this would be the result. Every component that could be replaced was - both mechanical and cosmetic. Upgraded with a momo corse steering wheel (original will be included along with a collection of miscelanious spare parts). It performs as new - can be driven daily anywhere. I am the third owner of the car since new and second owner in the US. Spare tire, jack, original tool kit and owners manual present and excellent. I have over 40 high resolution photographs including detailed undercarriage shots. It recently won the chairman's choice award at the 40th Annual Polish Herritage Festival. The condition and history surrounding this 126 make it the only one of its kind in the States. The finest Fiat 126 in the U.S. and one of the best 1976's in the world.
Clean Fiat 500 Cinquecentos are bringing between $10,000 to $15,000 these days. The 126 is a relatively unknown commodity on US shores, so it's uncertain whether this 126, essentially a more modern looking 500, will bring the same kind of money. Essentially a restored machine, this 126 is impressive, but the best 126s can be had for under $5,000 all over Europe. While the bidding is strong, we're looking at serious money for some Communist nostalgia.
