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{{Infobox automobile
| image = 1973 Fiat 126 IMG 7855.jpg
| name = Fiat 126<br/>Polski Fiat 126p
| manufacturer = [[Fiat]] (1972–1980)<ref name="fiat126.co.uk">{{
| production = 1972–2000<br
| aka = Zastava 126 (Yugoslavia)<br/>Steyr Puch Fiat 126 (Austria)<br/>
Fiat 126 Maluch (Poland)<br />FSM Niki (Australia)
| class = [[City car]] ([[A-segment|A]])
| layout = [[Rear-engine, rear-wheel drive layout|RR layout]]
| body_style = 2-door [[Sedan (automobile)|saloon]]<br/>3-door [[hatchback]] (PF 126 BIS)
| engine = 594 cc [[Straight-twin engine|
| transmission = 4-speed [[Manual transmission|manual , 1st gear not sychronized]]
| length = {{
| width = {{
| height = {{
| weight = {{
| wheelbase = {{
| predecessor = [[Fiat 500]]
| successor = [[Fiat Panda]], [[Fiat Cinquecento]]
| assembly = [[Alfa Romeo Cassino Plant|Cassino]], Italy<br/>[[Termini Imerese]], Italy<br/>[[Tychy]], Poland ([[Polski Fiat]])<br/>[[Kragujevac]], Yugoslavia ([[Zastava Automobiles|Zastava]])<br/>[[
▲| assembly = [[Alfa Romeo Cassino Plant|Cassino]], Italy<br>[[Termini Imerese]], Italy<br>[[Tychy]], Poland ([[Polski Fiat]])<br>[[Kragujevac]], Yugoslavia ([[Zastava Automobiles|Zastava]])<br>[[Steyr]], Austria ([[Steyr-Daimler-Puch|Steyr Puch]])
| designer = [[Sergio Sartorelli]]
}}
The '''Fiat 126''' (Type 126) is a four-passenger, [[Rear-engine design|rear-engine]], [[city car]] manufactured and marketed by [[Fiat]] over a twenty-eight year production run from 1972 until 2000, over a single generation. Introduced by Fiat in October 1972 at the [[Turin Auto Show#1972|Turin Auto Show]],<ref name="fiat126.co.uk"/> the 126 replaced the [[Fiat 500]], using major elements from its design. A subsequent iteration, marketed as the ''126 Bis'', used a horizontally oriented, water-cooled engine, and featured a rear hatchback with additional cargo space.
The majority of 126s (some 3.3 million) were manufactured in [[Tychy]] and [[Bielsko-Biała]] plants, [[Poland]] and were marketed as the '''[[Polski Fiat]] 126p''' in many markets. Fiat stopped marketing the 126 in 1993 in favor of its new front-engined [[Fiat Cinquecento|Cinquecento]]. Total production reached approximately 4.7 million units.
In Poland, the car became a people's car,<ref name=Autocar10/> and a [[cultural icon]], earning the nickname ''Maluch'', meaning "The Little One" or "Toddler",<ref>{{cite web |title=Residents in Polish city save up and buy Tom Hanks a vintage car |first=Hannah |last=Lawrence |url= https://metro.co.uk/2017/02/18/residents-in-polish-city-save-up-and-buy-tom-hanks-a-vintage-car-6456766/ |website=Metro.co.uk |date=18 February 2017 |access-date=4 June 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |newspaper=Reuters |title=Polish fans buy Tom Hanks iconic 'toddler' car |url= https://www.reuters.com/article/us-people-hanks-poland-fiat-idUSKBN15F2CD |date=31 January 2017 |access-date=4 June 2022}}</ref> a name that eventually became official in 1997, when 'Maluch' started appearing, badged on the rear of the car.
== History ==▼
In{{nbsp}}early 2020, the 28-year production run of the Fiat 126 was counted as the twenty-sixth most long-lived single-generation car in history by [[Autocar (magazine)|Autocar]] magazine.<ref name=Autocar10>{{cite web|url= https://www.autocar.co.uk/slideshow/survivors-world%E2%80%99s-longest-living-cars#10 |title=Survivors: The world's longest-living cars (slide 10 of 35 - Fiat 126 (1972-2000) – 28 Years |work=AutoCar |date=23 January 2020 |access-date=4 June 2022}}</ref>
The 126 shared its wheelbase and much of the same mechanical underpinnings and layout with the Fiat 500, featuring an revised, slightly larger bodyshell designed by [[Sergio Sartorelli]] and offering improved safety and interior space. The added interior space resulted from two things: the move of the starter from the top of the engine bellhousing to the side which permitted shifting the bulkhead/rear seat rearward approximately 4 inches (10 cm.) and the lengthening of the roof for rear seat headroom.▼
▲== History ==
[[File:Trunk of a white left hand drive Fiat 126 produced in 1973.jpg|thumb|left|The front footwells, suspension, battery and spare wheel left little room for luggage in the 126 front boot.]]▼
▲The 126 shared its wheelbase and much of the
Engine capacity was increased from 594 cc to 652 cc at the end of 1977 when the cylinder bore was increased from 73.5 to 77 mm.<ref name=AutoMotoruSport197724>{{cite journal| author = Ferdinand Simoneit (Ed)| title = Mehr Hubraum und Drehmoment fuer den Fiat 126| journal = [[Auto, Motor und Sport]] | volume = 24 | page = 20 | date = 23 November 1977}}</ref> Claimed power output was unchanged at {{convert|23|HP|kW|0|abbr=on}}, but torque was increased from {{convert|39|N·m|lb.ft|0|abbr=on}} to {{convert|43|N·m|lb.ft|0}}.<ref name=AutoMotoruSport197724/>▼
▲
A subsequent change in 1987 by FSM was the BIS version that was made until 1991. The 126 BIS gained a hatchback to access an additional cargo space on the rear, which was freed by replacing the air-cooled engine with the water-cooled 704 cc {{cvt|26|hp-metric|kW|0}} flat-twin.
The 126 was manufactured at Fiat's [[Cassino]] and [[Termini Imerese]] plants
The 126 was also manufactured under
▲The 126 was manufactured at Fiat's [[Cassino]] and [[Termini Imerese]] plants, until 1979 — with an overall production of 1,352,912 manuactured in Italy.
The 126
▲The 126 was also manufactured under licence by [[Zastava Automobiles|Zastava]] in [[Yugoslavia]]. In [[Austria]], it was briefly assembled by [[Steyr-Daimler-Puch|Steyr Puch]] as a successor to the successful [[Puch 500]], with assembly lasting until 1975 — and production of 2069 examples.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.steyrpuch.at/puch126.htm|title=STEYR-PUCH-FREUNDE OBERKÄRNTEN|website=www.steyrpuch.at|access-date=19 December 2018}}</ref> In [[Greece]], there was an attempt to produce a small car named [[DIM (automobiles)|DIM]] whose technical layout was largely based on the 126, but only ten were produced before the project was abandoned.{{cn|date=April 2020}}
▲The 126 never achieved the popularity of the 500 in Western Europe, as the rear-engined layout lost favor to [[Front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout|front-engine, front-wheel drive]], nonetheless becoming one of the last and longest-living rear-engine small cars manufactured in Europe, survived only by the [[Volkswagen Beetle|VW Beetle]] whose production lasted until 1978 (2003, globally). The 126 was the last rear-engine small car to be manufactured in Europe until the advent of the [[Smart Fortwo]].
For a brief period in the early 1990s, a German company called POP also offered convertible versions of the 126 BIS. Two models were offered: a lesser equipped one called the "POP 650" and a more luxurious model called the "POP 2000".
{{
== Polski Fiat 126p ==
[[File:Bielsko-Biała, 1973-1977, Fabryka Samochodów Małolitrażowych, produkcja samochodów Fiat 126p (Maluch) 02.jpg|thumb|left|Construction of „Maluch” in the FSM factory in Bielsko-Biała, 1970s]]
[[File:Bielsko-Biała, 1973-1977, Fabryka Samochodów Małolitrażowych, produkcja samochodów Fiat 126p (Maluch) 05.jpg|thumb|left|Construction of „Maluch” in the FSM factory in Bielsko-Biała, 1970s]]
[[File:Bielsko-Biała, 1973-1977, Fabryka Samochodów Małolitrażowych, produkcja samochodów Fiat 126p (Maluch) 07.jpg|thumb|left|Construction of „Maluch” in the FSM factory in Bielsko-Biała, 1970s]]
[[File:Polski Fiat 126p rocznik 1973.jpg|thumb|right|1973 Polski Fiat 126p (Poland)]]
In [[Poland]], the car was produced under
Due to
[[File:FSM Niki 650 (14821160718).jpg|thumb|A 126 in Australia, sold locally as the FSM Niki
At first, it was almost identical
Throughout the 1980s, the 126p was continuously modified. First, it received upgraded brakes and new wheels from Italian Fiat
In 1984, the 126 received a facelift, giving it plastic bumpers (for all versions) and a new dashboard. This model was named the Fiat 126p FL. In 1985, a single rear fog light and reversing light (on opposite sides) were added to the standard plastic bumpers; an electronic ignition system and [[alternator (automotive)|alternator]] replaced the undersized generator
[[File:Interior of a white left hand drive Fiat 126 produced in 1973 3.jpg|thumb|1973 Fiat 126 interior]]
In 1987, the 126 BIS
The factory battery in 126p had
▲In 1987 the 126 BIS went into production, featuring a water-cooled 704 cc engine of Polish construction. However, the original model continued to be produced for the Polish market. BIS used some of parts from [[Fiat cinquecento|Fiat Cinquecento]].
The 126p was exported to many [[Eastern Bloc]] countries, and for several years, it was one of the most popular cars in [[Poland]] and in [[Hungary]] as well. It also found a minor market in Australia between 1989 and 1992
▲The factory battery in 126p had only a 35 Amp-hour capacity, which, combined with undersized generator, resulted in the car never having a fully charged battery unless driven for an extended time. Some owners upgraded to a 45 Amp-hour battery from the Fiat 125p (1.5 Liter engine) to improve the cold start reliability.
The 126p also has a history in [[China]]: In the early 1980s, it became one of the first passenger cars to be imported to the country. The government initially bought 10,000, mainly used as taxis, but later, the 126p became available for private buyers - a rarity in the country then. In the 1980s, it was one of the best-selling cars in China, selling around 30,000 units per year.<ref>{{cite web|last=Gasnier|first=Matt|date=1986-01-18|title=China 1980-1985: Fiat 126p best-seller, 1 passenger car for every 6 million people|url= https://bestsellingcarsblog.com/1986/01/china-1980-1985-fiat-126p-best-seller-1-passenger-car-for-every-6-million-people/ |access-date=2021-04-09|website=Best Selling Cars Blog|language=en-US}}</ref>
▲The 126p was exported to many [[Eastern Bloc]] countries and for several years it was one of the most popular cars in [[Poland]] and in [[Hungary]] as well. It also found a minor market in Australia between 1989 and 1992, under the name '''FSM Niki'''. During that period it was Australia's cheapest car.<ref>{{cite web|title=FSM Niki 650, too little, too late|url=http://www.transeum.com/worlds-worst-cars/fsm-niki-650-too-little-too-late.html|publisher=Transeum|accessdate=29 August 2011}}</ref> There was a convertible version developed for the Australian market.{{Citation needed|date=December 2018}} It was also successful in [[Cuba]] where it was one of the best-selling cars of its time and an estimated 10.000 still exist today.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/en/polish-fiat-126p-sees-unlikely-cuban-revival/a-19464887|title=Polish Fiat 126p sees unlikely Cuban revival {{!}} DW {{!}} 11 August 2016|last=Welle (www.dw.com)|first=Deutsche|website=DW.COM|language=en-GB|access-date=19 December 2018}}</ref>
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s,
There was also an attempt at installing a small diesel engine (due to gasoline rationing) in the classic 126p body. It is also a popular platform for electric
===
▲[[File:Trunk of a white left hand drive Fiat 126 produced in 1973.jpg|thumb
[[File:Fiat 126 BIS during „XXX lat motoryzacji PRL” exhibition at Bonarka City Center in Kraków.JPG|thumb|From 1987, the 126 became available as a hatchback
* 1972 – the FSM car factory was built in [[Bielsko-Biała]].
* 6 June 1973 – the first Polski Fiat 126p constructed from Italian parts. The official price was 69,000 [[Polish złoty]]s with [[PKO Bank Polski]] accepting pre-payments on savings books starting 5 February 1973.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.auto-swiat.pl/1-polski-fiat-126p-przez-ksiazeczke-do-fiata |first=Adam |last=Włodarz |title=Polski Fiat 126p - Przez książeczkę do Fiata |language=
* 22 July 1973 – the official opening of the factory's production line.
* September 1975 – production started in
* 1977 – engine capacity increased from 594 cc to 652 cc. Engine power increased to about {{
* 1978 – production of types with engine capacity 594 cc ended.
* 1979 – production of Polski Fiat 126p continued only in Bielsko-Biała.
* 1981 – 1,000,000th Polski Fiat 126p produced.
* December 1984 – technical changes in the construction and body. Type ''FL'' introduced.
* 1987 –
* May 1993 – 3,000,000th Polish Fiat 126p produced.
* September 1994 – body improvement, creating type "el" with parts similar to those used in [[Fiat Cinquecento]].
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* 22 September 2000 – production ended after a production run of 3,318,674 units. All Fiats of the last limited ''Happy End'' series were yellow or red (500 cars in red and 500 cars in yellow).
The car's global production
=== Political connotations ===
[[File:PF126p.jpg|thumb|A Fiat 126p in Poland, 1973 -
The PF 126p has a special meaning for Poles, and its story
Thus, the PF 126p was intended to be the first real, popular, and affordable car
== Nicknames ==
In
▲In Poland it is called ''Maluch'', which literally means "small one" or toddler,<ref>{{cite book|last=Turnock|first=David|title=The East European economy in context: communism and transition|year=1997|publisher=Taylor & Francis|isbn=978-0-415-08626-4|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qej-6dP5e74C&pg=PA307&dq=126p+Maluch|accessdate=6 November 2010|page=307}}</ref> as well as ''mały Fiat'' ("small Fiat"), in contrast to [[Fiat 125p]], called ''duży Fiat'' ("big Fiat").<ref>{{cite book|last=Swan|first=Oscar E.|title=Intermediate Polish|year=1986|publisher=Slavica Publishers|isbn=978-0-89357-165-8|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mD8IAAAAIAAJ&q=mały+Fiat&dq=mały+Fiat|accessdate=6 November 2010|page=71}}</ref> In some regions, it is also called ''Kaszlak'',<ref>{{cite book|last=Czeszewski|first=Maciej|title=Słownik polszczyzny potocznej|year=2006|publisher=Wydawn. Naukowe PWN|isbn=978-83-01-14631-3|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xCUZAQAAIAAJ&q=Kaszlak+Fiat+126&dq=Kaszlak+Fiat+126|accessdate=6 November 2010|page=129|language=Polish}}</ref> literally "cougher" (derived from ''[[wikt:kaszel#Polish|kaszel]]'', "[[cough]]", as its engine's sound resembles a cough when it is started).
[[File:Cuba, Havana, FIAT 126p Polski.jpg|thumb|Fiat 126p in [[Havana]], Cuba, March 2014]]
In [[
In [[Serbian language|Serbian]], [[Croatian language|Croatian]] and [[Bosnian language|Bosnian]] it is known as ''Peglica'' (meaning "little [[Iron (appliance)|iron]]").,<ref>{{cite book|last=Labourdette|first=Jean-Paul, Dominique Auzias|title=Przewodnik Chorwacja|year=2007|publisher=Petit Fute|isbn=978-83-60496-20-6|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=h11ayWWvvl8C&
In [[Slovene language|Slovene]] the 126 is also called ''Bolha'' ("[[flea]]"),<ref>{{cite book|last=Weiss|first=Peter|title=Slovar govorov Zadrečke doline med Gornjim gradom in Nazarjami|year=1998|publisher=Znanstvenoraziskovalni center SAZU|isbn=978-961-6182-47-8|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=I5jlAAAAMAAJ&q
In [[Hungarian language|Hungarian]], it is known as ''kispolszki'' ("Little Polish", while the [[Polski Fiat 125p|125p]] is the ''nagypolszki'', meaning "Big Polish"), ''kispolák'' ("Little [[
In
In [[Cuba]]n [[Spanish language|Spanish]] it is known as the "Polqi" or "Polaquito", meaning "Little [[
== References ==
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== Bibliography ==
* {{cite book |title=Polski FIAT 126P: technika jazdy, obsługa i usprawnienia |
* {{cite book |title=Fiat 126p Mały Wielki Samochód |first=Aleksander |last=Sowa |publisher=Złot Myśli |year=2008 |isbn=978-83-7582-550-3 |language=
* {{cite book |last1=Zakrzewski |first1=Adam |title=PRL. Auto-Moto. Władcy dróg i poboczy |date=2011 |publisher=Demart |location=Warsaw, Poland |isbn=978-83-74-27-484-5 |url=http://demart.com.pl/new_product/42,ilustrowana-encyklopedia-prl-(trzytomowa).html |language=pl |access-date=18 December 2020 |archive-date=26 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120126115237/http://www.demart.com.pl/new_product/42,ilustrowana-encyklopedia-prl-%28trzytomowa%29.html |url-status=dead }}
== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
{{Fiat}}
{{Early European Fiat vehicles}}
{{Modern European Fiat vehicles}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:Fiat vehicles|126]]
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[[Category:2000s cars]]
[[Category:Cars introduced in 1972]]
[[Category:Cars powered by 2-cylinder engines]]
[[Category:Science and technology in Poland]]
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