The further development of the Fiat 126 to the second series
Here you will find various parts and accessories for the Fiat 126 classic car, which was built in its second series from 1977 to autumn 2000.
Bambino and Personal 4
In Germany, the Fiat 126 was marketed as the ‘Bambino’ from the end of the 1970s, while in Italy it was sold as the ‘Personal 4’. The ‘Bambino’ can be recognised by the rubber side protection strips and the plastic bumpers, which were also installed in the ‘Personal 4’ version. The standard version retained the metal bumpers until the facelift in spring 1984.
Production in Poland and Yugoslavia
From 1973, the Fiat 126 was also produced in Poland, where the company FSM from Bielsko-Biała manufactured the car under licence. In Poland, it was mainly known as the Maluch (‘little one’ in Polish) and was very popular. The Polish models are also known as Fiat 126p or Polski Fiat. This variant was also very popular on the Yugoslavian market, where it succeeded the Zastava licence models and was called Peglica (Serbo-Croatian for ‘little iron’). From summer 1987, a cabriolet version was also built, a conversion by the company POP with the designations Pop 650 and Pop 2000.
Floor assembly and chassis
The floor assembly is very much based on its predecessor; many chassis parts and the floor pan are 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 continue to consist of brake drums with hydraulic wheel brake cylinders on the front and rear axles.
Engine and drive
From the 2nd series onwards, the rear engine, type 126 A1.048, produced 24 hp and a slightly higher torque from a displacement of 650 cc. It drives the rear axle via straight drive shafts, which are protected from dust by axle boots. It has a side camshaft with a timing chain drive and overhead valves. This engine is often installed as a replacement engine in earlier models due to its higher output. The mixture is prepared using a Weber IMB28 carburettor. The cylinder head of the engine for the German market is square instead of round. The spark plugs in the ‘Bambino’ are screwed into sleeves and not directly into the cylinder head.
Transmission 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.
Synchronised transmission
The gears are now selected via a synchronised 4-speed manual gearbox. Only the first gear was still unsynchronised. In the event of damage due to incorrect operation, these gearboxes can be overhauled with a repair kit or exchanged for a replacement gearbox.
Technology in the front section
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, there were far fewer chrome trim parts from the 2nd series onwards. Decorative mouldings, bumpers and other add-on parts tended to be made of plastic, in keeping with the taste of the time. However, luggage racks at the rear and roof racks were still available. Interior parts such as floor mats, door panels and carpets were reproduced in many colours.
Sheet metal parts, bodywork and reproduction
Spare parts for classic cars are often a problem, but not for the Fiat 126.
Repair panels
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
Common 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. A total of around 4,700,000 of all versions of the 126 were produced.
More complicated parts such as steering knuckles on the front axle or the Weber carburettors are available as replacements or there are repair kits containing all the parts required for an overhaul. You can even get new carburettors as replicas.
The Fiat 126 today
Today, the car's fan community 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 little favourite. It is also easy to maintain, even for novice mechanics. If you ever get stuck, repair manuals and spare parts catalogues are there to help.
Around 1980, the Fiat 126 was also offered as special models ‘Red’, ‘Brown’, ‘Black’ and ‘Silver’, although the latter is very rare. It is and remains an absolute hit and will continue to inspire future generations with its timeless concept.