Polsky Fiat 126P | Classic Italian Cars For Sale

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.

1986 Fiat 126P track car rear view altezza air cooled — *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

1986 Fiat 126P track car roll cage racing seats air cooled — *Click to view listing*

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1986 Polski Fiat 126P

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

Chassis, some suspension components & Engine                $3,368.42
Front Brakes caliper adapter $26.32
Rotors         $37.89
pads            $11.05
Rear Brakes
bleader valves 2x    $15.26
caliper misc / hub cover       $25.00
lights/wipers/sparkplug       $55.00
misc wires / plugs   $8.03
wheel studs / nuts $23.16
light screws             $1.05
grease nipple valve for knuckle        $0.53
brake master cyl     $19.74
misc paint/ bolts     $22.37
Gas tank filler cap / misc     $65.21
brake lines soft       $13.16
Other
rear q panel glass    $40.79
triangle glass gasket             $11.84
speedo cable + fuses misc. $11.05
bulbs, misc $6.32
battery        $50.00
ground cable           $4.26
misc cables $2.63
m8 bolts     $10.53
gas lines     $7.89
steering wheel cap $1.05
wheels        $394.74
Tires rear toyo r888r            $218.42
Tires front toyo cf2 $104.21
oilpan gasket           $1.42
valve cover gasket $1.05
clutch          $36.76
door molding           $17.11
hood latches            $14.11
rear q panel glass molding   $7.37
Abarth Oil pan         $213.06
motul competition oil          $60.53
Seats           FIA 2020             $421.05
seat belts   sabelt harness, mounting            $421.05
bucket seat mounting          $131.58
Complete car assembly        $921.05

Total Cost                        $6,802.06

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

1986 Fiat 126P track car engine air cooled — *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.

-Graham

We had to polish up on some Polish history before sharing this rare Fiat - rare in North America, that is. Outside of North America? The Bambino, as it was nicknamed in Germany, sold in quantities exceeding 4.5 million, 3.3 million of which were the Polsky Fiat 126P model, produced under license in Poland by FSM. A rarity it is not.

The 126P was communist Poland's Trabant, so to speak. Or, it was to Poland as the Fiat 600 was to Italy in the 1950s. Both vehicles provided mobility to families suffering or recovering from the ill-effects of authoritarian regimes.

Year: 1988
Model: Polsky Fiat 126P
Engine: 652cc 4-cyl
Transmission: 4-speed manual
Mileage: 67,500 km
Price: Auction

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1988 Polsky Fiat 126P

Imagine yourself flying around town in this adorable little Fiat. The Fiat 126P or Polski Fiat was designed by Italians, and built behind the iron curtain by the Poles. It's based on the Fiat 500, though, so parts are easy to find, even in the states (I use Mr Fiat in Atlanta GA).

The car runs really well, and it's a blast to drive. It's light, so it's surprisingly quick, and top speed is around 70, so it'll keep up on public roads. It takes a while to start it, as the fuel drains back when it sits. But once it kicks, it starts agreeably, and idles great. Gears shift nicely... they are cable operated, so the feel is a little sloshy, but they are responsive. Brakes are good, the car stops in a nice straight line. Everything works in the car - wipers, lights, etc. with the exception of the turn signals, but I have a new flasher for it, and I expect to have that working soon.

I put a new carburetor, alternator, and fuel pump in the car. I also cleaned the centrifugal oil filter, which is harder than it sounds, and you'll thank me for doing it! The previous owner had an aftermarket radio, which he removed, and the wiring is still there. The front seats could stand to be recovered, as they don't really match the look of the car. Tires are good, brakes are good. Glass is good.

The underside of this car is in really great shape; there is almost no rust whatsoever. The paint work is presentable, though tired from the years. There are some dents and dings and scratches. There is a bubble in the paint on the edge of the hood. I don't think it's serious. I keep an eye on it and it has not grown or gotten any worse. There are some waves in the doors. The drivers side door has been hit and the hinge was welded back in place. There's a hole about 1/2" diameter in the bumper, like someone mounted something there.

The odometer is of course in metric. And I would guess that the 67,000 km is original, just based on the condition of the carpets and interior... it doesn't have enough wear to make me think it's gone around once.

THE VIN ON THIS CAR IS SUF126A0009358578 - eBay doesn't accept a non-standard VIN on cars after 1981 so I used the VIN for my daily driver. No you can't have a GMC Acadia. It's my wife's 🙂

I have the original polish plates, registration sticker and registration card, showing the last owner in Poland before it was imported. I could get you in touch with the man I bought it from, who bought it from that person in Poland, so you would have the complete history of the car back to Poland.

I also have some extra parts that will go with the car - two used carbs, engine gasket set, fan belt, replacement right-hand mirror, etc.

With so many units produced over the vehicle's lifetime, it would stand to reason that only the best would make it to the US these days. This example supports that theory. The seller claims that all equipment is in working condition, but notes some cosmetic shortcomings. The paint is tired, and the seats could use some reconditioning. As for bodywork, some rust is noted, and there was some damage to the driver's side door, but nothing reported by the seller sounds any alarms here.

We like this unique opportunity to own a vehicle that, while likely to evoke some serious nostalgia, would be viewed as a ridiculous purchase among the Polish who lived with them. The grass is always greener on the other side, we suppose.

-Graham