Mine's a 1986 FSM air cooled not a bis (the bis is water cooled).
This car is really fun to drive. The steering is great, it's a lot more nippy and usable than its 0-60 or top speed would suggest.
On first getting into the car you'll realise it's small, but not too small - I'm 6 foot and have driven it 310 miles in one day without too many aches.
You're faced with a small steering wheel, not many switches, a radio with all the mod-cons (MW and LW, and just one speaker!), a gear knob that's sort of in the way, and two very unusual levers on the floor (one for the heating, the other being a good old manual choke - remember them?).
After working out how to adjust the seat you'll put your key in the starter, pull up the choke, depress your clutch and turn the key. You'll then hear the engine. It's in the back of the car, and from the roaring sound it makes it actually sounds as though it's in the car with you (I know an engine is in the car in all cases, but in this case you'll really notice it).
First gear is noisy as there's no syncro-mesh. I don't know what syncro-mesh is, all I know is the car must be at standstill before engaging first or you'll hear a nasty crunch.
It's only got four gears, and in my non-technical language I would say they're spaced out a bit more than other cars I've driven. By this I mean 1st gear takes you from 0 to 15 mph, 2nd takes you to 25 and 3rd takes you up to about 40mph. This isn't my bad driving trying to ring the neck of a tiny 650cc-engined car - the car needs these sort of speeds for these gears. The 126 labours in 4th if you're barely doing 30.
I've heard people saying that you sometimes need a run up for hills otherwise you end up going very slowly. These people must live in areas with steep hills as the car's ascent seems fine to me.
My car has done ultra-low mileage and is now only at 9,400 since new. Luckily it's been garaged and I have no rust, which I believe is rare for a little old Fiat 126. They usually rust under the spare tyre which is located in the front boot and have all sorts of problems with metal returning to its natural state.
These cars are pretty cheap to buy. De Villes with a nice fabric sunroof from the 1970s seem to go for good money. Second in the list of money earners are the FSMs - built in Poland, air-cooled little babies, that are called Browns even though they are usually White, Blue or Maroon. The least desirable cars appear to be the youngest cars - all called Bis. The Bis is water cooled and has problems with something called the head gasket and certain other reliablilty problems. Cars from 1988 onwards tend to be Bis models.
The Bis is a hatchback and the engine is set lower down giving space for a back boot.
One reason why the air-cooled vehicles are worth more, is that the rich Fiat 500 guys buy 126s and rip out the engine and gears, and put them in their posh 500s, greatly improving the 500's ride.
This isn't too bad a news for 126 owners. There are loads of parts available on Ebay, whole cars without engines for sums as low as £10! As this happens then the 126 will become increasingly rare, and a slight change in fashion from the rounded curves of the 500 towards the more angular 126 could lead to some very nice price hikes for the 126. And last but not least, if your 126 is about to die, you'll always be able to sell it to a Fiat 500 guy whose wife has ruined his 500 by not getting to grips with double de-clutching.
The Fiat 126 is not the most practical car in the world, you can't fit a big suitcase in it, and you won't spend much time in the fast lane, but it is a real fun car to drive, it's cheap to insure, cheap to run and cheap to buy.
What have you got to lose? If you don't like it you can always sell it.
I have had a little blue 126 for about four years, since before I passed my test. I love it. Her name is Bertie. It was £650 when I got it and I've got a horrible feeling that it's worth less now as it had been garaged and now it's rustier and a few accessories have fallen off! My latest problem is that the L-shaped plastic tube that leads to the petrol tank leaks and I can't find a new one. Any ideas?
Hi everyone. I have four 126 Bis, two have been converted to the 650cc aircooled engine whilst the other two are with the original water cooled unit. It all started because I was looking for one for my 18 year old daughter! I know there are a lot of tuning parts for the air cooled motors and I was wandering if anyone does know of any tuning bits for the water cooled engines.
I have a little yellow Fiat 126 BIS 1989 G reg, and she is SOOO CUTE!!! However, I wonder if someone could help me?? The exhaust sounds like a lawnmower convention! The baffle has been wedged in by a hammer, but still noisy! Have bought a new exhaust but worried about being overcharged in a garage to swap it! Any guidance anyone? Also have a clutch cable to fit... I know nothing about cars, just passed my test yesterday... HELP! DON'T WANT TO LET MY LITTLE 126 GO!! Ruth
I'm from australia and own the ultimate odd couple a 300hp s/charged v8 holden commodore and an FSM NIKI (air cooled 126's are called niki's overhere for some reason) while the commodore goes like S**t off a shiny shovel,nothing beats the niki for fun,parking, and head turning looks. bought mine off an old Italian mama for $500 '91 one owner with 40,100 kms perfect condition (only 1 small scratch where apparently someone tipped it on it's side as it was standing on the roadside overnight !!!) only ever had a problem with a cracked carburettor float but otherwise its been the best little car I've ever owned. LONG LIVE THE NIKI 650
i own an air cooled 126 1979 blue and a 1992 j reg water cooled which i have changed the engine to an air cooled because i got fed up changing the head gasket and head. anyway the cars are amazing fun and the ladies think they are cute so long live the 126 Donga
I have a 126 bis for sale but don't really have any idea how much it's worth or if anyone would want it. I have found it a great fun little car. Reliable, nippy, great for parking and incredibly cheap and economical to ru. I am loath to part with it but have upgraded to a seicento. It's blue on a J plate with 58,000 miles. Has been well looked after and running well. Anyone want to adopt it?
I bought my fiat 126 a few months ago and found water was pouring in but i could not find a leek. I decided to take the carpets out and found the water pipe running though the middle of the car had started to rust i was gutted. I got a rubber pipe fitted into the car and its alright now but would like to get hold of the original pipe. If anyone knows the phone number or adress of a fiat 126 owners club it would be a great help. I still think the car is great and get laughed were ever i go.
My Fiat 126 is my first car, my Dad brought it for me when i saw it at a Volvo garage just down the road from me. i fell in love with it the first time i saw it. as a bonus it had a air freshener of sean the sheep which was my favorite character from wallace and gromit.i just had to have it. i was 15 at the time but Dad knew that i would pass my test when i was 17. so he brought it for me for £600.00. i thought was a bargain for the car that i loved. i turned 17 on christmas day, i got what i wanted my car and my first 10 driving lessons off of my parents. the first lesson was 3 days later on the 28th december. i can remember that there was about 5inches of snow on the ground but that didn't stop me all i wanted was to drive my car. 8 months passed and i finaly did it i passed my driving test i was over the moon. still now i have my car and i still haven't brought anything else as i am satisfid with my little 126.
just got my 126 bis last week,13000 miles only and in immaculate condition,what I call a real bargain(thanks Richard).EYECATCHING,FUN,ECONOMICAL,FANTASTIQUE. I desperately want to purchase a manual for a watercooled model and am informed that there is only a manufacturers one available.(anybody out there help me please).
great car i got it for free 1992 fiat 126 bis i'm planing to tint the windows,fit a performance exhaust,alloys if i can find some and a big sound system but i'm only 14 but i have the sound system and the cars the best
Hi, I've had various Fiats over 36yrs :- 500, 850, and my son had a 126 Brown, all were good fun. I now have a "VGC" 126BIS(called "Bluebottle" by my wife) I found this summer. I need to change the fuel pump and would appreciate details of how to set-up the gaskets to the correct spacing. Regards, Terry Overall. [Log in to view email] PS.-local "Priory" garage are good for spares.
Great cars, everyone looks and points some actually smile! Great fun to drive and nice and cheep. Having owned both the Air-cooled and the Water Cooled BIS I would say the Air-cooled is more reliable but the bis is more refined to drive and a great hatchback.
The head gasket is the week point on the BIS as I found out.
If you find yourself having to replace it make sure that you get the head skimmed and relocate the thermostat to the top of the engine and you should have no further problems in that department.
The air-cooled ones can be tuned as it shares the same basic engine as the Fiat 500 and there is an abundance of tuning houses about.
People not in the know take the pee, but it's more fun to drive around town than my other cars.
i love my fiat 126. It has tinted windows, alloys and a home made sports exshaust. it is a real head turner. i got the car for free but it was brown and i was only 15. i spent the next 2 years doing it up. it is now silver, blacked out windows, modern sports intereour, cd player, alloys, induction kit , sports exehaust ,bumpers removed and it looks wicked and £250
Hi there, just picked up a 126 bis, 1991, one lady owner 10600 miles, been stood a while, hope to restore it for my 17 year old daughter, would love to find a wrecked one for spares ??? fun to drive, and yes I have been to Poland, and they are like ants every where, several have nearly run me down, after drinking wodka, Na zdrowie Poland !
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