Fiat 126 (1972)

Fiat 126

The Fiat 126 was a city car introduced in 1972 as a replacement for the Fiat 500. It was replaced by the front-engined Fiat Cinquecento in 1993.

The 126 used much of the same mechanical underpinnings and layout as its predecessor, but with an all new bodyshell closely resembling a scaled-down Fiat 127. Engine capacity gradually increased to 700 cc in the 1980s (the maximum output at that time was 34 bhp).

In Italy, production ended in the 1980s, but was continued in Poland, where the 126 was produced from 1973 to 2000 as the Polski Fiat 126p.

In 1984, the 126 received a facelift, giving it plastic bumpers (for all versions) and a new dashboard. Three years later, a watercooled engine was introduced.

Despite clever marketing, the 126 never achieved the frenzied popularity of the 500. This did not mean, of course, that it was not a commercial success; quite the contrary - it just happened that it was merely a highly successful model, not one whose sales had gone through the roof. The Soviet-reclaimed steel rust scandal of the 1970s (which also caused tremendous damage to Lancia's reputation in the UK) did nothing to help sales, although it would be fair to say that Fiats, Lancias and Alfa Romeos never rusted more than their British, French and even German competitors.

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