Final Year Survivor: 2000 Fiat 126 ELX With 13k Original Miles
Like many models developed by Fiat, the 126 enjoyed a long production run. While initially being built in Italy, the vehicle was also produced in Poland under license by Fabryka Samochodów Małolitrażowych, or FSM. Thankfully, the 126 rolled down the road more readily than the company’s name rolled off the tongue! It soldiered on until 2000, and our feature 126 ELX hails from that final year of production. It appears to be in excellent condition, and the seller says that it needs nothing beyond a new and passionate owner. He has listed the Fiat for sale here on eBay with a BIN of $5,000, but with the option to make an offer. The only sticking point is that the car is located in Poland, so the buyer will be faced with shipping it to the destination of their choice. Still, that shouldn’t prove to be a huge obstacle.
Fiat has a history of producing small cars, and the 126 is no exception. If you throw a tape measure over it, it will measure little more than 10-feet from bumper to bumper. What makes that impressive is that the company managed to shoehorn a trunk, an engine, and seating capacity for four people into such a tiny space. This 126 presents exceptionally well in its original Red. The owner indicates that it has never undergone any restoration work, and while the paint has accumulated a few minor chips and scratches, it still shines impressively. The panels are as straight as an arrow, but the best news is that this car appears to be rust-free. There is nothing evident in the supplied photos and nothing mentioned in the listing. The external plastic has survived exceptionally well, and the glass appears free from flaws or defects. The owner suggests that while the wheels look good, they could benefit from a cosmetic refresh if the buyer wants the car to present at the highest standard. Otherwise, it appears that this little Fiat needs nothing.
When a car has the modest dimensions that we find with this Fiat, shoehorning a big engine under the hood is never an option. In the case of this 126, we find a rear-engined configuration that features a 652cc twin-cylinder motor that sends 24hp to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual transmission. That is not a recipe for high performance, with this ELX capable of covering the ¼ mile in 24.4 seconds before winding its way to a top speed of 65mph. That’s hardly fast, but it is compensated by the fact that these little classics sip fuel rather than drinking great gulps. The owner says that this tiny Fiat is in excellent condition. It runs and drives well, and as you will see in this YouTube video, it has no vices or problems. It has a genuine 13,000 miles on the clock and should offer its new owner many years of enjoyable motoring.
The interior shots that the owner supplies are not the greatest, so I grabbed a screenshot from the previously mentioned video. It reveals black vinyl upholstery that is in excellent condition. There is no visible wear on the seats and no signs of any physical damage. The dash is in perfect condition, with no cracks or other problems. The 126 ELX represents motoring at its most basic. The options list is one of the shortest of any vehicle you could buy in 2000. This car features its original push-button AM radio, representing one of the few extras that potential buyers could order. If you sought power windows or air conditioning, you’d walked into the wrong showroom! On the plus side, everything works as it should, and there are no problems or issues.
While I’m passionate about traditional classic and performance cars, vehicles like this 2000 Fiat 126 ELX appeal to me. They are quirky and different, and while they don’t pack the punch of a muscle car, they can still turn heads if their condition is better than average. Our feature car fulfills that criteria, but the only drawback is its current location. However, if potential buyers are determined enough, shipping it overseas should not be a problem. I have never had the chance to drive one of these but would be interested to know if any of our readers have. If you have, did it prove to be as much fun as its modest specifications and minuscule dimensions would suggest?
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Comments
Wouldn’t a US buyer have to wait for 2025 or 2026 to bring this one into the country? Even that assumes that the government will still allow such things for the common man.
There were a few of these around when I lived in the Netherlands in 1984. They seemed pretty archaic and austere even then. I’m surprised they kept being produced until 2000, although I suspect they weren’t exported to countries that hadn’t been in bondage to socialism by the end.
Yes, this would only be legal to import to the US once it’s over 25 years to the day past its actual manufacture date, and it’s a bit early to buy it now to store abroad until it becomes legal to import.
Doesn’t matter if some state will title/register it or doesn’t care about age; it’d still be illegal to the Feds, and you can’t just bring it here now and title/reg it later after it’s 25 years old — if they find out it existed on these shores at all before it was 25 years old, they can seize and crush it.
Canadian buyers may be interested, however; cars only have to be over 15 years old there.
I wish the feds or locals would do the same to the insanely loud terrible sounding you know what cars today.
Just because a fart can muffler is available, doesn’t make it legal!
That can’t be the factory gas tank on the left in the rear compartment,
can it? lol
More likely the tank is somewhere else & probably no more than 5-7 gallons!
21 years for EPA, 25 years for DOT. Since airbags and side-impact improvements were required in 2000, yes one would need to wait until 2025 to import and use this Fiat 126 on public roads in the USA.
Importation to Mexico, Canada, or other North American jurisdictions may be less stringent.
https://helpspanish.cbp.gov/s/article/Article-278?language=en_US
If you register it as a farm use vehicle it can be imported even when new
Maluch!
These are an utter hoot to drive around town, because they’re so wee that you can get through totey gaps in traffic. Barry wee things.
I owned one of these for two awesome summers. Still don’t know why I sold it. They are a total blast to drive, very inexpensive to operate. I was surprised how many parts are available stateside. The price is about right. Unfortunately shipping is a bear these days.
I believe these were introduced in 1975. That’s a pretty darn long production run!
I think the 126 was essentially a facelift of the Nueva 500, which went into production in 1957.
Final YEAR? OMG,,,NO, no, no,,how could they? I’m sure some folks were disappointed to hear that, not me, however. I was far more devastated when GM killed Pontiac, and Ford killed Mercury. Last Fiat anything? Meh,,
Why would someone in Poland list a car on US Ebay? The only answer that makes sense to me is that there’s no way to achieve the price they want in Poland . . . and yes, this is impossible to import at this time.
Fix it again, Antoni
A nice car, the Fiat Polski 126, they say the metal in body was of better quality, more resistant to weather in places as NY, MA, CT than the Italian Fiat originals, the Mediterranean climate is kind.
As a consequence of fuel shortages, price of shipment raised 50%, late in 2021, cost of shipping a 30 ft container, with room for two standard cars, NY to Rotterdam, was around $1450. I have no info about reverse trip.
For this overseas Atlantic car transport, you better hire a ‘Door to door’ service, including all taxes; harbor people and authorities are voluble regarding costs and taxes they apply.
But $5000 for an FSM 126 looks too high, but this is one of last units produced.
At this price, it could be cheaper hiring a car expert and a Polish to English interpret, drop in Poland, and take the car with you. You’ll meet people. Blessings +
So is that little black thing on the back where you insert the wind up key
In 1972!
Ended:
Feb 01, 2022
Price:
US $5,000.00
Located in:
Snellville, Georgia