The Final Legend: Fiat 126 Maluch ‘Happy End’, the Last Example Produced in Poland

The Heritage HUB in Turin exhibits the last Fiat 126 ever built, a yellow example from the limited ‘Happy End’ series that symbolizes the end of production for the car that mobilized the masses.

The Heritage HUB in Turin preserves pieces of this glorious cult small car to this day. This includes the first red example produced in Cassino. The last Maluch that rolled off the line in Tychy can also be admired. We were able to see both models in situ during the presentation drive of the new Fiat 500 Hybrid. The Fiat 500 is almost the grandchild of the blessed 126. “

The first red example features specific visual and technical traits. The chassis number is “provisional.” Furthermore, the engine air intake has a different position than on normal production vehicles. “

The Origin of a Mass Mobilization Legend

Those were different times, with compact dimensions and modest specifications. The Fiat 126 measured 3.05 meters long. Its engine was 650 cm3 and offered 23 hp. The car weighed 580 kilograms in running order. Production began in Italy in 1972. However, as early as 1973, part of the production also took place in Poland. This occurred at two plants of Fabryka Samochodów Małolitrażowych (FSM).

The Polish Volkswagen and its Official Nickname

Due to its relatively low price, the Fiat 126 quickly became the Polish Volkswagen. This car mobilized the masses. Despite this, 70,000 zlotys still equated to a good 20-month salary. The demand was immense. For this reason, a second factory was built in Tychy in 1975. Its tiny size gave the 126 the nickname ‘Maluch’. This term means ‘small,’ ‘little child,’ or ‘dwarf.’ The term became so popular that the manufacturer accepted it as the official name of the car in 1997.

The Cessation of Polish Production

Polish production was mainly intended for the domestic market. Nevertheless, from May 1985, all 126s were built in Polish factories. This included the models sold in Italy. These received the new name “Fiat 126 – Made by FSM.” Furthermore, Zastava in Yugoslavia used components produced in Poland. This was to assemble the ‘Zastava 126’ for the domestic market. In the last decade, it was manufactured only for the Polish market. Its designation was 126P 650 ‘Maluch.’ The technology was adapted to environmental regulations. This continued until the introduction of gasoline injection and the catalytic converter.

The Final ‘Happy End’

Finally, production ended in the year 2000. Over 1,350,000 units had been manufactured in Italy. More than 3,318,000 vehicles were produced in Poland. On September 22, 2000, exactly at 12 noon, a historic event occurred. The last Fiat 126 Maluch rolled off the production line. This car was part of a limited series of 1,000 units named ‘Happy End’ in yellow.