The development of the first series of the Fiat 126
Here you will find various parts and accessories for Fiat 126 classic cars, the first series of which was built from summer 1972 to autumn 1976. Thanks to its compact dimensions, it is very manoeuvrable and still offers a relatively large amount of interior space. Italian and Polish designers and engineers worked together on the shape of the car. This is why it is also known as the Fiat 126p or Polski Fiat.
Floor assembly and chassis
The floor assembly is very much based on its predecessor, with many chassis parts and the floor pan being identical. The Fiat 126 adopted the chassis concept with a leaf spring, double wishbones and hydraulic shock absorbers at the front and independent suspension with semi-trailing arms and coil springs at the rear. The brakes are still brake drums with hydraulic wheel brake cylinders on the front and rear axles.
Engine and drive
The rear engine of type 126 A1.000 originates from the ‘R’ model of the predecessor and delivers 23 hp from a displacement of 600 cc. It drives the rear axle via straight drive shafts, which are protected from road dust by axle boots. It has a side camshaft with a drive via a timing chain and overhead valves. This engine is often installed as a replacement engine in earlier models due to its higher performance. The mixture is prepared using a Weber IMB28 carburettor.
Gearbox and other technology
The Fiat 126 was also available with a folding roof, albeit no longer as standard. As with most other cars, the engine was no longer started using a cable pull, but the starter was operated electrically via the ignition lock.
Gearbox
The gears were now selected via a synchronised 4-speed manual gearbox. Only first gear was still unsynchronised. In the event of damage due to incorrect operation, these gearboxes could be overhauled with a repair kit or exchanged for a replacement gearbox.
Luggage compartment
There is a small luggage compartment at the front, which is practically already filled with the battery and spare wheel. This is also where the windscreen wiper motor is located, which controls two windscreen wiper blades via a linkage to keep the rain off the windscreen. The boot lid can be opened from the inside with a cable pull. The fuel tank was now installed on the right under the rear seat bench instead of in the front boot, making it less of an accident hazard.
Interior and accessories
One of the development specifications for the Fiat 126 was that 4 passengers should be able to ‘travel less uncomfortably in the interior than in the predecessor’. The seats and rear bench are now much more comfortable, often upholstered with colourful seat cushions and adjustable at the front on seat rails. Inside and out, the first series still featured many chrome trim parts, chrome bumpers, decorative mouldings and other add-on parts. Luggage racks at the rear or roof racks are also not uncommon on the Fiat 126.
Sheet metal parts, bodywork and reproduction
Spare parts for classic cars are often a problem, but not for the classic Fiat 126.
Bodywork and sheet metal parts
Many sheet metal parts for the body are still readily available and largely identical to all other 126 models. As there are still a lot of these cars around, repair panels, front panels and wheel arches are readily available. Even doors, floor panels, bonnets and sills can be reproduced.
Wear parts
The usual wear parts such as wheel brake cylinders, brake pads, distributor caps, door seals and windscreen seals are reproduced today for the large number of old Fiats.
More complicated parts such as steering knuckles on the front axle or Weber carburettors are available as replacements or there are repair kits that contain all the parts required for an overhaul. You can even get new carburettors as replicas.
Parts for the interior such as floor mats, door panels and carpets are reproduced in many colours.
The Fiat 126 today
Today, the car's fan base is bigger than ever. Young people in big cities in particular appreciate the compact dimensions when looking for a parking space and the simple technology. Hardly anyone needs two sets of tyres any more; most cars today are driven as summer cars and spend the winter slumbering in the garage under a car cover. Whether it's summer or winter, it's always a popular little favourite. It is also easy to maintain, even for novice mechanics. If you get stuck, repair manuals and spare parts catalogues are there to help.
The Fiat 126 is and remains an absolute hit and will continue to inspire future generations with its timeless concept.