Yesterday we saw a diminutive Chevy Spark packed to the gills with five passengers and some merchandise from their shopping trip. In Michigan, where a Jeep Grand Cherokee is seen as reasonable transportation for a single adult, it's uncommon to see a sub-compact used to haul so many passengers.
And yet, it's not the Spark that is being misused - it's the Jeep, once reserved for Forest Service or similar duty, that is being used outside of its intended use. A car like today's Fiat 126P might come across as a city car, or fun hatchback to whip around in, but it was designed and utilized as a family car for millions in Europe. It's incredible how perspectives can change.
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.
Click to view listing
Year: 1986 Model: Polski Fiat 126P Engine: 650cc 2-cylinder Transmission: 4-speed manual Mileage: N/A Price: $6,500 Location: Garfield, NJ
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
This price does not include shipping from EU to USA, customs fees, import duties, and NJ tittle, tax & tag fees
Asking Price is $6500
The 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
Click to view listing
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.
Moretti was ahead of its time in the 70s. Fast-forward to 2019, and Fiat and Jeep, under the FCA umbrella, have created a modern Moretti Minimaxi. Selling at 100 times the rate of the Minimaxi, Jeep's Renegade compact SUV combines a beach-cruiser body style with a Fiat Abarth powertrain, and is even manufactured in Italy.
Like the Renegade, the Minimaxi is based off of a Fiat. The Moretti borrows its mechanicals from the 126 city car, making use of its most powerful engine offering, the 594cc unit. The canvas top and the doors are removable, lending to an airy cockpit, should it be desired.
Up for sale is a real nice 1977 Moretti 126 Minimaxi ragtop! You can take the top off! Perfect beach car. Many hours and money has been invested in this nice Italian car. This is a true collector's car. Very few made! I have 100+ pictures available!
Vin Number: 4551623 Originally Imported from Italy Clean FL Title
One of the world's finest attractive micro cars! The side doors, and windshield also are also removable!
In 1967 Moretti produced only 2,600 cars, in 1973 only 3,292 were produced, and by 1974 production was down to only 1,071. In the seventies, Moretti switched to building mini off-roading vehicles on Fiat platforms. The Fiat 500-based "Minimaxi" first appeared in 1970, and was later adapted to take 126 mechanical components.
This car drives exceptionally well, you can take it to the car shows & for weekend cruises. Definitely gets a lot of attention & questions at the cars and coffee. The Fiat is powered by it's 600cc engine. It moves pretty quick! It has a 4 speed manual transmission. Engine Bay is well detailed. Has a nice exhaust that sounds really nice. Mechanically the car is sound! See the video.
The car did received a restoration. All doors, trunk, hood are all aligned like they should from factory. It has always been garage kept and well taken care. Underneath the floor pans are in great shape, everything was properly redone.
The Interior is splendid and contrast well to the exterior paint, red sport Italian upholstery has been fitted, and tastefully done, and overall condition looks new. Brown roll-up top!
I'm located in Miami about 30 minutes away from the airport. Feel free to come see the car in person. Sold As-is. Thanks for looking. For those interested you can call me at 305 five four two 5662. If I don't answer just leave me a voicemail.
If you're looking to finance I would recommend JJ Best. They can finance your classic car or hot rod and are very pleasant to work with.
Click to view listing
Where we see fresh paint, our minds wander to nightmares of body filler and poorly repaired rust. A cursory glance at photos won't quell our concerns in the rust department, nor will verbal affirmation; we would ask for photos of the car in its stripped-down state, before the new paint was applied. As for the mechanicals, Fiat 126 components won't be easy to come across in the US, but they are out there, and the car should be a breeze to maintain in Europe.
We love the potential this car has as a West Coast beach car. Or Intermountain ranch runabout. Or daily driver anywhere. It's unique, robust enough, and practical. Then again, our idea of a winter car is a Fiat 500 Abarth on snow tires.
We had to polish up on some Polish history before sharing this rare Fiat - rare in North America, that is. Outside of North America? The Bambino, as it was nicknamed in Germany, sold in quantities exceeding 4.5 million, 3.3 million of which were the Polsky Fiat 126P model, produced under license in Poland by FSM. A rarity it is not.
The 126P was communist Poland's Trabant, so to speak. Or, it was to Poland as the Fiat 600 was to Italy in the 1950s. Both vehicles provided mobility to families suffering or recovering from the ill-effects of authoritarian regimes.
Click to view listing
Year: 1988 Model: Polsky Fiat 126P Engine: 652cc 4-cyl Transmission: 4-speed manual Mileage: 67,500 km Price: Auction
Imagine yourself flying around town in this adorable little Fiat. The Fiat 126P or Polski Fiat was designed by Italians, and built behind the iron curtain by the Poles. It's based on the Fiat 500, though, so parts are easy to find, even in the states (I use Mr Fiat in Atlanta GA).
The car runs really well, and it's a blast to drive. It's light, so it's surprisingly quick, and top speed is around 70, so it'll keep up on public roads. It takes a while to start it, as the fuel drains back when it sits. But once it kicks, it starts agreeably, and idles great. Gears shift nicely... they are cable operated, so the feel is a little sloshy, but they are responsive. Brakes are good, the car stops in a nice straight line. Everything works in the car - wipers, lights, etc. with the exception of the turn signals, but I have a new flasher for it, and I expect to have that working soon.
I put a new carburetor, alternator, and fuel pump in the car. I also cleaned the centrifugal oil filter, which is harder than it sounds, and you'll thank me for doing it! The previous owner had an aftermarket radio, which he removed, and the wiring is still there. The front seats could stand to be recovered, as they don't really match the look of the car. Tires are good, brakes are good. Glass is good.
The underside of this car is in really great shape; there is almost no rust whatsoever. The paint work is presentable, though tired from the years. There are some dents and dings and scratches. There is a bubble in the paint on the edge of the hood. I don't think it's serious. I keep an eye on it and it has not grown or gotten any worse. There are some waves in the doors. The drivers side door has been hit and the hinge was welded back in place. There's a hole about 1/2" diameter in the bumper, like someone mounted something there.
The odometer is of course in metric. And I would guess that the 67,000 km is original, just based on the condition of the carpets and interior... it doesn't have enough wear to make me think it's gone around once.
THE VIN ON THIS CAR IS SUF126A0009358578 - eBay doesn't accept a non-standard VIN on cars after 1981 so I used the VIN for my daily driver. No you can't have a GMC Acadia. It's my wife's 🙂
I have the original polish plates, registration sticker and registration card, showing the last owner in Poland before it was imported. I could get you in touch with the man I bought it from, who bought it from that person in Poland, so you would have the complete history of the car back to Poland.
I also have some extra parts that will go with the car - two used carbs, engine gasket set, fan belt, replacement right-hand mirror, etc.
Click to view listing
With so many units produced over the vehicle's lifetime, it would stand to reason that only the best would make it to the US these days. This example supports that theory. The seller claims that all equipment is in working condition, but notes some cosmetic shortcomings. The paint is tired, and the seats could use some reconditioning. As for bodywork, some rust is noted, and there was some damage to the driver's side door, but nothing reported by the seller sounds any alarms here.
We like this unique opportunity to own a vehicle that, while likely to evoke some serious nostalgia, would be viewed as a ridiculous purchase among the Polish who lived with them. The grass is always greener on the other side, we suppose.
