Fiat 126p 1992
Hi Everyone!
This is my Fiat 126p wich was produced in 1992. I guess that lot of you, are not familiar with this model. Fiat 126 is a little italian car based on the old Fiat 500 (same RR layout, very similar R2 air cooled engine). From 1973 to year 2000 Fiat 126 was produced under the license in Poland. For “polish” cars the “p” in the name was added.
My car was bought in September 2015 for about 200 Euro, from a Farmer that held the car in the shed because of braking issue and rusted chassis. So, what’s the plan ?
First of all, all the rusted parts and bits have been replaced by new parts or new steel sheets and so far it is pretty much done. (Don’t mind the quality of pics, it was taken with a carburetor). What’s next?
Brake system swap
126p was delivered with 4 drum brake system. It’s already scraped, and the discs with calipers are waiting to pop in. - DONEWheels
I want to have a sleeper so i’ve chosen 5,5J 13’’ Borbet alloy rims and 175/50 tires.
What’s the fuss you ask? In 1992 126p were equipped in the 12” steel rims and 135/80 tires. I call that progress. - DONESuspension
Coilovers, coilovers all around. Why? Because leaf srpings.
126p had front suspension builded on one leaf spring. Yup, just like in Ford T model.
Tuning parts for 126p are hard to find so I’m building the coilovers by myself. - DONE
-Engine swap
I want to save RR layout and that is the hard part because lot of superior engines will not fit the engine bay. Another difficulty is cooling system which doesn’t exists. I don’t want to put the radiator in the front of the car, still thinking about the place for it. - WAITING TO COME
So what ya think? Cool or fool ?
Comments
Cool or fool?
Extremely cool man keep it up
Thanks EscoBart :) next step is to prepare the car for new paintjob. I’m thinking about Giallo Sole from new Fiat 500 color palette. Good choice?
Cool or fool? This is cool factor off the scale!
And that’s what I call a High Five situation! ;) thanks Thom!
Nice work so far, have you considered a bike engine?
Good thinking👍
Excuse me for reviving this old post, but I’d like to know how hard it was to switch from plastic bumpers all around to chrome bumpers front/rear, and nothing on the sides? I think about switching these things on my polski as well.
No reason for excusing :) If you’re thinking about the bumpers conversion it’s easy as ABC, but you need to know few things. First of all: there is difference between front and rear bumper because of holes for screws, the angle of arches, and the fitment (front bumper is much closer to the car body than the rear). So pay attention before buying. Next thing is that you’ll have to buy special screws for this bumper too ( nuts are for metrical 13mm spanners, but the head of the bolt must be spherical but underneath rectangular. Sounds complicated but if you will see that bolt you’ll know what i was talking about ;) . You will have to buy special mountings for this bumpers also. If you buy all this things then replacing the bumpers is an hour of work. 30 minutes if you have someone to help.
Those plastic panels on the doors are more complicated thing to remove properly, because they are mounted thru the holes in body panels, so you have to weld them, then treat with some kind of putty and than paint. So if you don’t consider painting your car, i will leave that way it is now. You have a very beautifull one 126 in your garage :)
Wow, thanks for these detailled informations! I really consider the swap because chrome fits the cars “personality” way better, I think. I plan to repaint it sooner or later anyway, so I’ll wait and do it on this occasion. Thanks a lot, I’m looking forward to see how your car will end up, your plans sound interesting 👍🏼
I will send you links to car parts you will need later this evening. I hope that they will be available :)
Hello there, very nice build to see! I have a question, do you have any measurements or drawings of the independent suspension? I’m looking to build one myself, but can not find it anywhere.