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 Rank: Pro Groups: Joined: 24/08/2009 Posts: 48,827 Points: -13,348
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 Rank: Super-Elite       Groups: Registered
Joined: 19/06/2013 Posts: 4,588 Points: 13,553 Location: West Yorkshire
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Its actually kind of cute and with the addition of the caravan its a bit different. Would also look good displayed alongside the VW Samba  Al
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Rank: Pro Groups: Joined: 24/08/2009 Posts: 48,827 Points: -13,348
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The Fiat 126p is a rear-engined, small economy or city car, introduced in October 1972 as a replacement for the Fiat 500. The majority of 126's were produced in Bielsko-Biała, Poland, as the Polski Fiat 126p, where production continued until year 2000. In many markets Fiat stopped sales of the 126 in 1993 in favour of their new front-engined Cinquecento.
At a vehicle length of 3.05 metres, the Fiat 126 is almost exactly the same size as the original British Mini, and although it came to market 14 years later, production ended in the same year (2000), and its total sales of almost 4.7 million units were in close range of the Mini's 5.4 million.
In Poland the car became a cultural icon and earned the nickname "Maluch", meaning "The Little One" or "Toddler".
The 126p has special meaning for Poles and its story had a connection with Polish politics during the communist period (Polish People's Republic, up to 1989). During the absolute rule of the PZPR, a private car was considered a luxury item, due to limited availability and low salaries. In 1971 there were only 556,000 passenger cars in Poland.
In a top-down planned economy, decisions on whether a state-owned factory could produce a car were taken on political and not just economic grounds. The authorities themselves initially did not find the idea of private cars attractive. The first relatively cheap Polish car was the Syrena, but it was outdated and its production was limited. Limited numbers of cars were also imported from other Eastern Bloc countries. It was difficult to buy a western car because the Polish złoty, like other currencies in communist states, was not convertible to western funds and there was no free market in the country. Thus, the 126p was intended to be the first real, popular and affordable car, to provide mobility for ordinary families. The licence was bought after the rise to power of a new PZPR leader, Edward Gierek, who wanted to gain popular favour by increasing consumer spending after the austerity period under Władysław Gomułka. Despite the fact that it was a very small city car, it was the only choice for most families, fulfilling the role of a family car. During holidays, it was common to see families of four driving 126's abroad with huge suitcases on a roof rack; sightings of 126's towing a small Niewiadów N126 caravan especially designed for the 126p were also occasionally reported. 126p production, however, was not sufficient and the 126p was on sale with a waiting list. Usually families had to wait a couple of years to buy a car. A coupon for a car could also be given by the authorities based on merit.
N-126 – the most important caravan in Poland
https://www.camprest.com...rtant-caravan-in-poland
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Rank: Super-Elite Groups: Registered
Joined: 19/06/2013 Posts: 4,588 Points: 13,553 Location: West Yorkshire
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This looks like it could be an interesting addition to the range Al
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This is something different, and will be a great kit together. Mark
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Rank: Pro Groups: Joined: 24/08/2009 Posts: 48,827 Points: -13,348
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 Rank: Semi-Pro Level 2 Groups: Registered
Joined: 01/02/2013 Posts: 80 Points: 243 Location: Ipswich, Suffolk
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now available via cars section. have ordered mine.
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Rank: Administration  Groups: Administrator, Administrators, Forum Support Team, Global Forum Support, Global Forum Support Team, Moderator, Official Builds Joined: 24/08/2009 Posts: 1,928 Points: 5,796 Location: UK
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Look for the official build, coming soon. It’s being done by one of the original ModelSpace members, who is an internationally known modeler...
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US
