Fiat 126 Price Guide

The Fiat 126 (affectionately known as the Maluch, or the Little One) replaced the 600 in 1972 with a slightly larger rear-engined car that immediately became a national institution in Poland, where it was produced under licence by FSM from 1973. In Italy production ended in 1980; in Poland the Maluch continued for another twenty years, eventually totalling nearly 4.7 million units.

The Car

The 594cc (later 652cc) air-cooled two-cylinder engine produced around 24bhp in the original car. The engine sat under the luggage floor at the rear; a surprising configuration that provided a front luggage area and a rear passenger compartment of acceptable space for a city car. The 126 BIS of 1987 updated the engine to a water-cooled 704cc unit.

Buying

Italian-market 126s are rare survivors; Polish Maluch examples are more numerous and well-supported by a devoted community. The 126 BIS with water cooling is the most reliable specification.