A difference between Poland and Ireland... the Fiat 126

Mr. Loverman

I'm currently working in Poland (I'm Irish) and something which sums up the difference between Poland and Ireland is the Fiat 126.

http://www.google.com/images?q=polski+fiat+126+classic&um=1&hl=en&safe=off&rls=com.microsoft%3Aen-ie%3AIE-SearchBox&tbs=isch%3A1&sa=2

In Poland they are ashamed of this car, and the only people who drive them are the poor. They cost about €250.

In Ireland these would (by many people) be considered a very cute, trendy car. In fact, I mistakenly assumed the people driving them in Poland were trendy types.

They were made in Poland so as a result they're everywhere.

Does anyone else agree with me that they are a lovely little car?

I'm tempted to buy one and drive it back to Ireland.

Plug

A cute trendy car? Could you show me a picture of what you would think is an ugly car:p
Looks like a bad Lada and would be surprised to see any reliability with it.

jimmyw

Well thanks to Mr COWEN and his clan that might be all the type of cars alot of us can afford in future.

L1011

There's bog all that *can* go wrong with them due to not having, well, any features...

Polski Fiat held on to each of the ancient models forever compared to here, the 126p/127p and more recently the Mk2 Panda (the boxy one) and the Seicento. Sold as base models for poor people.

Max_Damage

When I think of a Fiat 126, I think of this :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5aEXIXRcPA8

ingalway

I think they are lovely. Just did a check on the VRT site to get an idea on import tax - to import a 1990 2 door LHD with a 652cc engine would be €720, which seems unbelievable if they only cost €250 to buy.

zom

Surly it is cute as it is successor of old Fiat 500:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiat_126

and back to Ireland - there are some people with that car - I know one guy in Dublin, I saw another one on 2010 Terenure Car Show:

http://www.google.ie/images?q=%22fiat%20126%22&hl=en&safe=off&prmd=iv&cr=countryIE&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&biw=1440&bih=744

It's cheap option in Poland because big number produced - there are lot of second hand parts and mechanics who can repair it for few quids. But it might be expensive to have and use it in Ireland.

Eric Cartman

I think its a terrible little yoke , I dont understand how cars that small (126, mini, fiat 500 etc...) are trendy at all, I can understand everyone in polands opinion on it, but then again everyone has different tastes, like I think the ford f350 and Landcruiser amazon are really attractive cars.

trendy is not a word I like using for cars, that makes them more of a fashion issue than a driving machine.

If you like it, go and buy one, but I dont think they have much of a place in the hearts of most irish people

hairyman

Bags of character.

Id have one over one of those stupid Smart cars any day.

Mr. Loverman

Eric Cartman wrote: »

I think the ford f350 and Landcruiser amazon are really attractive cars

I do not find them attractive at all...

Eric Cartman

Mr. Loverman wrote: »

I do not find them attractive at all...

differing tastes, your going to get a 50/50 response here, I hate it, others will like it , but at the end of the day your driving it, If you like it buy one, fill it with parts (possibly buy 2 to have a complete spare set) and ship it over

Owen

They're called the Maluch locally, pronounced Malook - which means Baby. Outside herself's Parents shop in Lodz, there's a red one which looks standard, but has a bottle of Nitrous down in the passenger footwell. Spoke to the guy who owned it in my broken polish and his broken english, and one of the few things I got out of him which made sense was a huge grin and "Vroooooooooooom".

I like them, but I love all small cars me. I need to get out more.

PS - Taken me about 20 minutes to reply to this cause Boards seems to be broken.

hairyman

I heard that they were simply called DEATH, and if you had a red one it was called RED DEATH, a green one, GREEN DEATH, and so on.

Fluffybums

My first car was a bright green Fiat126 called Herbie. He was great! Great memories! OP don't get one in Poland and drive it back, you will be in agony. Although great fun to drive, I drove up and back to Aberdeen from Essex a couple of times and the service stations were very welcome! On the plus side you would be amazed how many can fit in - my best was six students on the cobbled streets around Old Aberdeen. And you can beat a white Merc off the lights with 4 adults in the car - did this on the Kingsway in Manchester, the look on the drivers face was brilliant, four grinning adults waving at him as we took off:D.
Even got the hang of taking the distributer out, stripping it back the the contact breaker, to reset it to get it started. The manual stroke got very manual, pull it out at the engine, run round start him up, few revs to warm up, out round to the engine and push the choke back in and off you go. Ah happy days!!

unkel

Max_Damage wrote: »

When I think of a Fiat 126, I think of this :

Yeah class clip - brings a smile to my face every time I see it

PaintDoctor wrote: »

They're called the Maluch locally, pronounced Malook - which means Baby.

The Italian nickname was Bambino - pretty much the same meaning

CiniO

Mr. Loverman wrote: »

I'm currently working in Poland (I'm Irish) and something which sums up the difference between Poland and Ireland is the Fiat 126.

http://www.google.com/images?q=polski+fiat+126+classic&um=1&hl=en&safe=off&rls=com.microsoft%3Aen-ie%3AIE-SearchBox&tbs=isch%3A1&sa=2

In Poland they are ashamed of this car, and the only people who drive them are the poor. They cost about €250.

In Ireland these would (by many people) be considered a very cute, trendy car. In fact, I mistakenly assumed the people driving them in Poland were trendy types.

They were made in Poland so as a result they're everywhere.

Does anyone else agree with me that they are a lovely little car?

I'm tempted to buy one and drive it back to Ireland.

OP you forgot to mention few important things.
This car was developed in Italy by Fiat in beginning of 70's.
Only couple of years later, Polish government bought the project, and started producing that car in Poland.
Just to mention that at these times, Poland was in deep communism.
Government idea was to make a small cheap car, which would be affordable to average family. Something to motorize Poland, as Ford T did in beginning of previous century in America.
And it actually worked like that. Car was crap (it was very unreliable), and when they started to produce it in Polish factories, it became even worse.
But it reached the goal. It became affordable, and in 80's there was hundreds of thousends of these cars all around the country. Lots of families had them. It actually looked funny when you saw a parking lot with 50 car, which 40 of them were Fiat 126p.
Even it was so small, Polish people didn't really had a choice. You could see whole families traveling with it, with 4 people inside and luggage on the roof-racks.

But that was in the 80's.
In the 90's everyone was already sick of that car, and people stared buying something else.
The production ceased I think in 2000.

As as few years ago it was true what you were saying that poor people which can afford anything better drove them, I don't think it's the case anymore.

Most of them are in such a bad condition, that can really be driven. If they are, it's usually some really young lads who buy their first car, and they drive it for a month or two until it dies.

Obviously there are some of them kept well, but unfortunately, they are much more expensive than stated 250€.
People started restoring them, and pretty much Fiat 126p is becoming a classic car in Poland, which a lot of people have lots of sentiment.
Also lot's of lads are buying still usable versions, modyfing them and using for amateur rallies, or even professional - there is a guy who has one of them professionally prepared and is taking part in the whole Polish rally championship.

Anyway - I'd say another 2 maybe 3 years, and you won't see any of them on the road, except for rebuild or well kept classics, or rally prepared versions, but each of them will cost much more then €250

galwaytt

I think it's class.

Sometimes, car-fun is indeed inversely proportional to the size/speed/price of it.

G Luxel

I did see one of them in Rome last year driven by an old woman.....but the 500 was more common on the streets there than the 126 which was practically non-existent.....

goodladbar

Hi everyone...new to the aite so not too sure what way things work...anyways was looking for peoples suggestions and input on my little problem..i am in search of a gear box and starting motor for my fiat 126.living in Dublin but if anyone knows any site on the net that would be great!

Cheers Bar

Anan1

I think they're a particularly nice bit of design. I'd certainly like a go in one anyway.

Fluffybums

Anan1 wrote: »

I think they're a particularly nice bit of design. I'd certainly like a go in one anyway.

That's the colour of my Herbie. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh RIP

TomMc

The last person I ever saw been driven around in one of those in Ireland was this old man. He was so unassuming most people in the area never knew very much about him until after he had died.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amedeo_Guillet

Lyndaz

been in one of these while on holidays in Cro a few years ago, it had 1600 8v ritmo engine with turbocharger in it and that thing was faaast no cage and stupid bench seats, they are a lot of fun but very dangerous... couldnt find it on you tube again but came across this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KujCUCgn6TY

Standard they wouldnt be my cupa, especially not in winter days with no heating

Pdfile

Mr. Loverman wrote: »

I'm currently working in Poland (I'm Irish) and something which sums up the difference between Poland and Ireland is the Fiat 126.

http://www.google.com/images?q=polski+fiat+126+classic&um=1&hl=en&safe=off&rls=com.microsoft%3Aen-ie%3AIE-SearchBox&tbs=isch%3A1&sa=2

In Poland they are ashamed of this car, and the only people who drive them are the poor. They cost about €250.

In Ireland these would (by many people) be considered a very cute, trendy car. In fact, I mistakenly assumed the people driving them in Poland were trendy types.

They were made in Poland so as a result they're everywhere.

Does anyone else agree with me that they are a lovely little car?

I'm tempted to buy one and drive it back to Ireland.

avoid at all costs.

seriously. MY girl is polish, her father a mechanic and he laguhs whenever he makes a comment about irish cars ( you know... the VAG elitists... ) then i say " but still... the *insert 3 digit poxy fiat number here*

quite a few over here op but anyone who wants more then 50 for one should be in the looney bin

voojeq

well yeah these rumors about black, white (pick any colour) death come from the fact that engine is mounted at the back, so at the event of frontal crash you get instantly killed as engine travels to the front destroying all life on its way

in terms of reliability this is one of the most reliable little cars ive ever seen, it never breaks down (never broke down on me) and if it does the fixes are ez and won't cost you more than lunch at Eddie Rockets

voojeq

goodladbar wrote: »

Hi everyone...new to the aite so not too sure what way things work...anyways was looking for peoples suggestions and input on my little problem..i am in search of a gear box and starting motor for my fiat 126.living in Dublin but if anyone knows any site on the net that would be great!

Cheers Bar

if you can't source the parts in Ireland there's plenty in Poland and Italy. You just have to know someone there and you're sorted ;]

patwicklow

I had a white one when i lived in london bout 20years ago was a great little car never once had a problem with it and had it for over 6 years i gave to a mate when i came back and his wife still drives it great for the city driving

coylemj

The East German Trabant fell into the same category though it wasn't directly based on a western car. As soon as the Berlin Wall came down the east Germans couldn't wait to get rid of them but they became a chic item in the west, didn't U2 even use them on the Zoo TV tour?

The Trabant featured in a standard joke the East Germans used to tell highlighting the long wait they had to endure for just about every product and service during communist rule, the Poles probably had the same joke using the 126.

Man saves up for years and eventually goes into a Trabant showroom and puts down a deposit on a new car. He asks the dealer when he can expect delivery and the salesman says 'Oct 10 xxxx (ten years into the future). Customer then asks if the car will be available in the morning or afternoon, the salesman (look of astonishment on his face) asks what difference it makes since it's 10 years away, customer replies 'the plumber is coming that morning'. Boom Boom!

CiniO

coylemj wrote: »

Man saves up for years and eventually goes into a Trabant showroom and puts down a deposit on a new car. He asks the dealer when he can expect delivery and the salesman says 'Oct 10 xxxx (ten years into the future). Customer then asks if the car will be available in the morning or afternoon, the salesman (look of astonishment on his face) asks what difference it makes since it's 10 years away, customer replies 'the plumber is coming that morning'. Boom Boom!

:pac:
ROTLF

pajo1981

Fluffybums wrote: »

That's the colour of my Herbie. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh RIP

Your herbie stories are gayer than a gay pride parade.

MugMugs

pajo1981 wrote: »

Fluffybums wrote: »

That's the colour of my Herbie. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh RIP

Your herbie stories are gayer than a gay pride parade.

Have you got a problem with Gay?

pajo1981

MugMugs wrote: »

Have you got a problem with Gay?

I meant gay as in the old sense of the word. Gay pride parades are gay in both the old and new sense.

voojeq

CiniO wrote: »

OP you forgot to mention few important things.
This car was developed in Italy by Fiat in beginning of 70's.
Only couple of years later, Polish government bought the project, and started producing that car in Poland.
Just to mention that at these times, Poland was in deep communism.
Government idea was to make a small cheap car, which would be affordable to average family. Something to motorize Poland, as Ford T did in beginning of previous century in America.
And it actually worked like that. Car was crap (it was very unreliable), and when they started to produce it in Polish factories, it became even worse.
But it reached the goal. It became affordable, and in 80's there was hundreds of thousends of these cars all around the country. Lots of families had them. It actually looked funny when you saw a parking lot with 50 car, which 40 of them were Fiat 126p.
Even it was so small, Polish people didn't really had a choice. You could see whole families traveling with it, with 4 people inside and luggage on the roof-racks.

But that was in the 80's.
In the 90's everyone was already sick of that car, and people stared buying something else.
The production ceased I think in 2000.

As as few years ago it was true what you were saying that poor people which can afford anything better drove them, I don't think it's the case anymore.

Most of them are in such a bad condition, that can really be driven. If they are, it's usually some really young lads who buy their first car, and they drive it for a month or two until it dies.

Obviously there are some of them kept well, but unfortunately, they are much more expensive than stated 250€.
People started restoring them, and pretty much Fiat 126p is becoming a classic car in Poland, which a lot of people have lots of sentiment.
Also lot's of lads are buying still usable versions, modyfing them and using for amateur rallies, or even professional - there is a guy who has one of them professionally prepared and is taking part in the whole Polish rally championship.

Anyway - I'd say another 2 maybe 3 years, and you won't see any of them on the road, except for rebuild or well kept classics, or rally prepared versions, but each of them will cost much more then €250

thats all true but i really don't know where did you take those reliability issues from, ive heard people had engine problems with 700's but 650's were working like a charm and are driving till today