Sometimes we see stripped-out track cars and can't help but to cringe at the thought of yet another rare classic sacrificing its interior, trim, and dignity for yet another fruitless attempt at track day glory. We would shed a tear for today's Polski Fiat 126P, were it not for the fact that their production eclipsed 3.5 million units - and that's excluding the Fiat-branded units produced elsewhere to the tune of another couple million.
No, we celebrate this track machine, and the car on which it's based. We never lived in communist Poland, so we wonder how Poles would have viewed such a little beast in the 1980s. These were 'coupon cars', after all - families waited years for their 126P in a country were the pickings were slim and individuality was discouraged. Perhaps there is something of a sentimental connection to the 126P, like in the case of East Germans and the Trabant. Whatever the case, we really dig this build.
Year: 1986
Model: Polski Fiat 126P
Engine: 650cc 2-cylinder
Transmission: 4-speed manual
Mileage: N/A
Price: $6,500
Location: Garfield, NJ
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1986 Polski Fiat 126P
Rally Build VIN: SUF126A0008887165
Air cooled 650 cc rear engine 2 cylinder
RWD
4 speed manual
The car was imported from the EU in 2017, and has received a clean New Jersey Tittle. The chassis and engine where purchased as a bare package, and the car was assembled at a shop, with some work being done at a Fiat Dealership in Poland. The car has never been registered and driven on roads in the US. I have had it up for sale once in 2018 but buyer fell through.During this time the car has spent half its life in a climate controlled garage, and the rest parked at New Jersey Motorsport Park. Buyer can see the car in 07026, and I may ship the car for free to the tristate, and work with you on shipping the car nationwide.
Suspension overview:
Front Coilover conversion, rear abarth springs cut
Brake overview:
Front and rear Disk brake conversion from Fiat 125 (no handbrake)
Engine overview:
Power about 40km, built in May 2012 (June 2015 Shaft grinding and new crank and main bearings)
-camshaft w111
-head -5.5mm extended duct outlet and cut guides + copper seal
-fly wheel 4kg (balanced)
-Connecting rods 350g
-machined pistons (valve undercut)
- belt wheel aluminum divided 1:1
- muffler with strong aluminum plate and removable mute(cut off)
-aluminum pushers guards
-RC funnel inlet made of fiberglass.
-lightly modified serial carburetor
-electronic ignition ignition from elegant a ignition cutoff at 7k rpm.
Transmission -serial after inspection without leaks
Walk Around Video:
https://youtu.be/hmR1pgRXHKI
COLD START VIDEO:
https://youtu.be/JzcUTBcwWes
Video of the car racing in 2014 before the bodywork/white paint:
https://youtu.be/zx0LnZkVNg0
Chassis, some suspension components & Engine $3,368.42
Front Brakes caliper adapter $26.32
Rotors $37.89
pads $11.05
Rear Brakes
bleader valves 2x $15.26
caliper misc / hub cover $25.00
lights/wipers/sparkplug $55.00
misc wires / plugs $8.03
wheel studs / nuts $23.16
light screws $1.05
grease nipple valve for knuckle $0.53
brake master cyl $19.74
misc paint/ bolts $22.37
Gas tank filler cap / misc $65.21
brake lines soft $13.16
Other
rear q panel glass $40.79
triangle glass gasket $11.84
speedo cable + fuses misc. $11.05
bulbs, misc $6.32
battery $50.00
ground cable $4.26
misc cables $2.63
m8 bolts $10.53
gas lines $7.89
steering wheel cap $1.05
wheels $394.74
Tires rear toyo r888r $218.42
Tires front toyo cf2 $104.21
oilpan gasket $1.42
valve cover gasket $1.05
clutch $36.76
door molding $17.11
hood latches $14.11
rear q panel glass molding $7.37
Abarth Oil pan $213.06
motul competition oil $60.53
Seats FIA 2020 $421.05
seat belts sabelt harness, mounting $421.05
bucket seat mounting $131.58
Complete car assembly $921.05
Total Cost $6,802.06
This price does not include shipping from EU to USA, customs fees, import duties, and NJ tittle, tax & tag fees
Asking Price is $6500The Good:
Custom, metal wide body flares
Roll cage
Built Motor
New Tires
New brakes, New wheel bearings, new clutch, basically all wear parts are NEW
The Bad:
Car needs a heavy polish or even a wetsand, the bare chassis was at a fabrication shop for several months and sparks landed on the paint, and thus you can see tiny slag points in the clear coat
Car is EXTREMELY loud, I wouldn't recommend daily driving it with current exhaust setup.
Car has zero catalytic converters, currently and in original/stock form, please check with your state for passing emissions on a cat less 1986 vehicle.
Car was never driven on a track, thus may need a shakedown.
Car has to have doors closed very hard, it's common for these chassis with the age.
Hood latches have surface rust
A few spots of paint chips, see pictures
Rear of car is pretty low, it will come with new rear springs one may replace or cut to size for required racing requirements
The sellers has clearly invested some real cash into upgrades and maintenance items for this little runt. The total spending on those items actually exceeds the asking price of the car, which is nice to see as a potential buyer. Judging by the photos, it looks like the work done was performed neatly, and the modifications look like sturdy aftermarket units. We particularly like the front subframe reinforcement, adjustable lower control arms, and seat frame brackets on the interior. We're not roll cage experts, but judging by the thoroughness of the seller, we would imagine that it's been designed and installed with due care.
At one time, $6,500 would have seemed like an astronomical ask for a lowly Polkski 126P. Today, it seems far from unreasonable. Autocrossers and track rats are known to spend far more for a similar setup, so as a track toy, this thing starts to make sense.
-Graham
