Why FIAT 126 is so popular
M
ore than 30 years have passed since the inception of the Fiat 126. How has the car stood up to the passage of time? 'Not too well' is the answer.
Modern day motorists are spoiled in comparison with drivers of 30 years ago. Increasing affluence in just about every country in the world, especially Europe, has lead drivers to expect a standard of motor car that is a world apart from that of the little 126. Even the cheapest cars now have electric windows, central locking, power steering, sumptuous interiors and a reasonable level of performance. The cost of running a car is of less significance too, people are not obsessed with low fuel consumption and cheap spares. The car has become a disposable item. Motorists who want cheap transport can buy a relatively young car for little money, run it into the ground, then scrap it and buy another.
The main defining points of driving a 126 in this day and age are the lack of performance, small size, low running costs and last, but not least, the fun.
The lack of performance is the most significant thing you notice when driving this car. Acceleration and top speed were barely acceptable back in 1972, and the gap between these cars and a modern economy hatchback are huge. So noticeable is this that many people who are only accustomed to modern cars will think that there is something wrong with the engine of the baby Fiat. 0-60 takes over 30 seconds in the fastest variant (the 126 bis) and over a minute in the earliest cars. This compares to about 15 seconds for the slowest hatchbacks in production today and closer to 12 for a typical cheap car. It is necessary to downshift to 3rd at the slightest sign of a hill and this can be especially embarrassing on the motorway when large lorries will be rushing up behind you! However, it is a sad indictment of the congested state of our roads that, motorways excepted, this lack of performance is rarely an issue. While cars behind may become frustrated on hills, and wonder why you are accelerating away from junction so slowly, progress from A to B is not really hindered at all. You will soon be back behind the car that pulled away on the last hill. The one thing that is frustrating is the almost total lack of overtaking ability. The only way to overtake in these cars is to take a big run-up at the car in front and hope that he doesn't twitch his big toe on the accelerator as you go past!
One area where lack of performance is a complete non-issue is in town driving. And here the car excels due to its tiny size. At just 4'6" wide this car is narrower than the original Mini. And with a turning circle of 28ft it can match a London black cab, famed for their ability to turn on a sixpence. Parking in the smallest of gaps is incredibly easy, and it is frequently possible to park in spaces that are not even designated parking spaces, sometimes end-on instead of parallel with the pavement. Of course, small size generally means small amounts of luggage too, at least in the air-cooled cars. The 126 bis however is a different proposition. The boot, while not very tall, at least gives some extra space. However if the rear seat is folded down and the parcel shelf removed it is amazing what can be squeezed into this tiny car. In town driving one thing which can be a little annoying is the lack of synchromesh on first gear. This means you have to wait until the car has come to a complete halt, or double de-clutch before shifting into 1st. Failure to observe these rules will mean a car with no first gear - as evidenced by the many cars being scrapped for this very reason.
Running costs are very low. Insurance is peanuts and with some specialist brokers it is possible to insure for a ludicrous sum. Fuel consumption should be around 50mpg with mixed motoring, 45mpg if the car never gets out of town, and over 60mpg on long runs. There are a variety of places selling spare parts and these are generally very cheap as well.
Of course, driving a car like this is fun. They are so different to any modern car, that it is really like stepping back in time. Other road users stop and stare, some point and laugh. Maybe they are laughing at you, but who cares, it feels as if they are laughing with you!
ore than 30 years have passed since the inception of the Fiat 126. How has the car stood up to the passage of time? 'Not too well' is the answer.
Modern day motorists are spoiled in comparison with drivers of 30 years ago. Increasing affluence in just about every country in the world, especially Europe, has lead drivers to expect a standard of motor car that is a world apart from that of the little 126. Even the cheapest cars now have electric windows, central locking, power steering, sumptuous interiors and a reasonable level of performance. The cost of running a car is of less significance too, people are not obsessed with low fuel consumption and cheap spares. The car has become a disposable item. Motorists who want cheap transport can buy a relatively young car for little money, run it into the ground, then scrap it and buy another.
The main defining points of driving a 126 in this day and age are the lack of performance, small size, low running costs and last, but not least, the fun.
The lack of performance is the most significant thing you notice when driving this car. Acceleration and top speed were barely acceptable back in 1972, and the gap between these cars and a modern economy hatchback are huge. So noticeable is this that many people who are only accustomed to modern cars will think that there is something wrong with the engine of the baby Fiat. 0-60 takes over 30 seconds in the fastest variant (the 126 bis) and over a minute in the earliest cars. This compares to about 15 seconds for the slowest hatchbacks in production today and closer to 12 for a typical cheap car. It is necessary to downshift to 3rd at the slightest sign of a hill and this can be especially embarrassing on the motorway when large lorries will be rushing up behind you! However, it is a sad indictment of the congested state of our roads that, motorways excepted, this lack of performance is rarely an issue. While cars behind may become frustrated on hills, and wonder why you are accelerating away from junction so slowly, progress from A to B is not really hindered at all. You will soon be back behind the car that pulled away on the last hill. The one thing that is frustrating is the almost total lack of overtaking ability. The only way to overtake in these cars is to take a big run-up at the car in front and hope that he doesn't twitch his big toe on the accelerator as you go past!
One area where lack of performance is a complete non-issue is in town driving. And here the car excels due to its tiny size. At just 4'6" wide this car is narrower than the original Mini. And with a turning circle of 28ft it can match a London black cab, famed for their ability to turn on a sixpence. Parking in the smallest of gaps is incredibly easy, and it is frequently possible to park in spaces that are not even designated parking spaces, sometimes end-on instead of parallel with the pavement. Of course, small size generally means small amounts of luggage too, at least in the air-cooled cars. The 126 bis however is a different proposition. The boot, while not very tall, at least gives some extra space. However if the rear seat is folded down and the parcel shelf removed it is amazing what can be squeezed into this tiny car. In town driving one thing which can be a little annoying is the lack of synchromesh on first gear. This means you have to wait until the car has come to a complete halt, or double de-clutch before shifting into 1st. Failure to observe these rules will mean a car with no first gear - as evidenced by the many cars being scrapped for this very reason.
Running costs are very low. Insurance is peanuts and with some specialist brokers it is possible to insure for a ludicrous sum. Fuel consumption should be around 50mpg with mixed motoring, 45mpg if the car never gets out of town, and over 60mpg on long runs. There are a variety of places selling spare parts and these are generally very cheap as well.
Of course, driving a car like this is fun. They are so different to any modern car, that it is really like stepping back in time. Other road users stop and stare, some point and laugh. Maybe they are laughing at you, but who cares, it feels as if they are laughing with you!
posted by Admin | 2:23 AM
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