Beskrivning
This little 1997 Fiat 126 Giannini Evocation has been on display in our showroom for the last couple of years and never fails to delight customers who marvel at its fantastic condition and cool retro looks. Due to limited space the time has now come to find this little 126 a new home, but we will be sad to see it go when the time comes.
Introduced by Fiat at the Turin Auto Show in October 1972, the Fiat 126 replaced the ubiquitous Fiat 500. Despite using the majority of the 500’s underpinnings, the 126 featured a revised, slightly larger bodyshell designed by Sergio Sartorelli with improved safety, and the car was an instant hit – staying in production for 28 years.
The car was particularly popular in Poland being affectionally known as Maluch, meaning “The Little One” or “Toddler”, and over 3. 3 million cars were produced at the Tychy plant in Bielsko-Biała.
Like most cars of this period, rust was the biggest enemy, and with high attrition rates and low values very few Fiat 126s survived and only 239 are currently being licenced in the UK according to the popular website, ‘how many left’.
Our car was manufactured at Tychy in 1997 and is one of the last, and arguably more sought-after air-cooled cars, with its 652cc powerhouse producing a heady 23hp and 32ftlb⋅ft of torque and is showing 41, 000 kms on the clock.
These later air-cooled cars benefited from an electronic ignition system and alternator, making them better to drive and far more reliable than the original points and dynamo set-up.
Privately imported in 2015, we purchased the car directly from it’s only UK owner , who saw the car and fell in love with it whilst transporting goods to and from Poland. Apparently, the Polish owner was a senior member of Poland’s 126 owners club, which we can well believe looking at the cars condition. One imported the car was seldom used – but thankfully it was carefully stored in a warm dry garage, which has no doubt helped keep the car in such fantastic condition.
The interior is in fine fettle, with a set of original factory mats protecting the carpets, whilst a set of cloth-trimmed bucket seats have been fitted – with the rear bench and rear parcel shelf being trimmed in matching fabric.
Finished in gleaming “147 Red, the bodywork on this 126 is in simply lovely order with only a couple of very small car parking dents on the driver’s door, and some small stone chips to report. All the panels line up correctly, while the doors, bonnet and engine cover all close perfectly.
The car’s appearance has been greatly enhanced by the removal of the ugly grey plastic bumpers so loved in the 1980’s (what were they thinking!) and replaced with by pair of original style chrome items. The car is also supplied with a spare set should the unthinkable happen.
To add some sporting attitude, the car is also fitted with an attractive set of minilite style wheels with anthracite centres and polished rims, whilst a full set of Giannini badges compliments the car and finish off the sporting look perfectly.
Mechanically, the car is spot on, having had £750 spent at marque specialists, The Tiny Car Company, who reported that the car was mechanically in first-class condition. We have also replaced the fuel tank as the original had seen better days.
Very rare in this condition, and fantastic fun to drive, these Fiat 126’s are now becoming very collectable.
Bellissimo! as they say in Italy.
