Why the Fiat 126 is the perfect first classic car - Jonny Smith Carpervert

Motoring journalist and TV presenter Jonny Smith imports an ex-communist Polish (Polski) Fiat 126p (Maluch) to give a real world UK road review and 0-62 test. Tom Hanks has one now, so they must be cool...
Subscribe to Carpervert and you can expect a broadchurch of my own car projects, exploring other folk's interesting/mad machines, barn/field finds, drive-buy roadtrips, ebay roulette and tests of new cars... with a twist. Thanks for watching.
Music: Cheers mate by Karl Phillips and the Midnight Ramblers, on Medical Records
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Sunglasses: Electric Sixer
Watch: Aquadive Bathyscaphe 100 GMT

[@rogalsiu]

The best thing about 126p is simplicity. My father was able to wake up early morning, do complete engine overhaul and get the car ready for a 600km trip by 12pm :D

[@MajorKlanga]

Prefer watching vids about quirky cars like this instead of ridiculous blinged up crossovers and the like.

[@TK42138]

Mark McMarkface Totally agree - I find I'm getting a bit bored of endless reviews of super cars made of unobtainium, that cost more than the average house or are so high tech, it needs NASA or F1 team just to service it. I much prefer real-world old and modern classics.

[@BritSportsCars]

Yeah agree... Gets boring to look at cars that are ridiculous to buy and maintain

[@jonboyjon1976]

Absolutely agree - this video brought a massive smile to my face in the way that a Bentaya really wouldn't.

[@vangestelwijnen]

Any car bringing such a smile to your face is worth keeping. Lovely no-nonsense Polski Fiat.

[@derekogilvie6942]

My first car - THS 124W - a Fiat 126 De Ville! This review brought back lots of memories of student days at Paisley Tech. I would take 4 passengers ( we squeezed three of my mechanical engineering student pals in the back seat - with a "lucky" as a front passenger) up to Strathclyde University Students Union - just off George Sq - mostly every weekend during term time in the early 80's. What joy! The noise, awful brakes and cramped interior was offset by fab fuel economy, the opening canvas roof and the car's ability to make everyone feel unsafe on the M8. A fun car that felt it was a great deal faster than it actually was!

[@petergala2147]

My father bought me 126 ..polski fiat... Maluch in 1985. I drove that car all over Europe My favourite trip was from Istanbul Turkey to Krakow Poland 3 days..two nights. Through Turkey....Bulgarja...Yugoslavia...Hungary... Czechoslovakia. Back home to Krakow Poland. Sweet memories. I'm living in Chicago USA now.i wish a could have that car back now and kick ass....like the old days.

[@fossilfish786]

Great to see this type of vids. During fifth gear, I looked forward to your slots and your very natural in front of the camera and love the every day cars rather than supercars. Keep up the good work you'll have a much bigger following soon

[@TheLateBrakeShow]

Really kind comment, thank you.

[@marktaylor-hankins9398]

Yep totally agree with Hippfinds

[@slatanek]

Fond memories this one brings. When I was 18 my friend had one tuned to 40bhp. We did 140kph in it on country roads (don't worry the road was bumpy and rubbish but we lived in a rural area and beyond the road there were just fields for miles) and totally felt like 340kph. We drifted the thing on gravel, we traveled with 6 people in it, we had parties in it. Those were the times... Although I'm happy to be alive after all we did in this little gem of a car.

[@meesch1208]

Love this. My first car was a 1976 Fiat 126, this brought back so many memories.

[@buckleyboyben]

Keep it obscure and oddball, Johnny. Enjoyed this.

[@M1K3R0LPH]

Keep these coming Jonny! I feel both you and Edd China have a very pure idea of what motoring is about - could make for a quirky collaboration.

[@fossilfish786]

Totally...a reboot of deals on wheels where you talk about the best three cars in a segment, buy the best of the bunch after your review buy one, fix it then sell. Sounds like a lot of work...or just one takes of cars you like and your thoughts.

[@brits72]

My Brother owned a 127 sport in black And red. He left it to me in his will... my dad deals he would store it in his garage and get the exhaust welded... only a few years ago this was and I asked for it back and he had sold it... it was an F reg with all the piping so gutted as that was my brothers last wishes to give it to me.... great video and I miss mine...

[@missweasel2957]

We have just bought the little orange 126 from Silverstone yesterday and having just watched this am now even more excited! Thanks 👏🏻

[@alastairwatson3201]

What a gem! I’ve been watching you, in more or less your 2022 guise, for a few years now. This video has to be one of the best origin series ever! Brilliant! So glad that you’ve gone on to become the success that you, the Late Brake Show / Car Pervert / your barn find series have become!

[@peterkornis5377]

I still own one, a white 1986 model. Fun fact: on Eastern Block markets the old-style dashboard was kept in place until 1987, so mine is still featuring the small, round-shaped speed-o-meter. Also, older models, before the facelift, had no electric washer fluid pump. You had to manually pump the washer fluid by pressing a rubber pump on the dash.

[@FezzaYT]

I had one of these about 20 years ago and loved it! Thanks for the great video.

[@krismalecki8278]

Nothing could go thru snowdrift like my old 126p! I've had one of the original 600ccs

[@brooksy9244]

Really enjoying your vids Jonny. It's great to see the quirky, maligned and rare vehicles being reviewed. Keep it up please. Also, love the unearthing of rusty and abandoned. 👍👌🔧🗜⚙🚙🚘🛣

[@V8_screw_electric_cars]

It's like driving gokart you sit almost on the road, engine on the back, even makes same noise

[@Pax086]

I was born in 86 and I still remember the times when Maluch was pretty everywhere on the streets in Warsaw (including my father's car, white one), now it's a classic car :) Cheers!

[@erikjannoorman510]

Love your channel, love you, love the 126 (love the original 126 even more). You have a fan in Belgium. Thank you.

[@AndySnap]

Excellent video, subscribed, looking forward to more! What a great little car, deserving of this retrospective. I recall being in Poland many decades ago and the roads were full of these 126 buzzing and hurtling around the city streets. My first car was a Panda mk1, so I'd love to see a Jonny Smith review of one of those to send me down memory lane...

[@MTSVW]

I had no idea how charming these are! The motor really has a great sound, doesn’t it? Love it. The exposed metal around the windows is beautifully simple - sometimes less truly is more. I have a ‘68 Beetle and really appreciate minimalist cars.

[@jennydonne8946]

Keep up the good work Johnny, good to see someone sticking up for the underdog, these are fab little cars

[@martindunne9971]

Love what you've been contributing to Fully Charged, and like where this is going! Best of luck! Love the quirky, fun stuff - have a go with a 2cv sometime - one of the great fun cars on and off road...

[@Mitka0602]

My dad have one, it was the first car that i drove. In the beginning when i was too little to see over the steering wheel my dad would put wooden bricks behind the seat when you pull it up and some books on the seat cushion and let me drive it turned off on a country road that was steep so i wouldn't have to use the motor because there's no power steering or power breaks. I only had like 8 years then when i first started. He would ask me if i want to go with him to help (beekeeping), whenever i would say no he told me.he will let me drive, got me there always. I love this car, every memory i have when i was little was with this car and I still have it, but it hasn't been started for like 5-6 years so I'm looking forward to restoring it this summer.

[@petrolheid]

Another excellent video, Jonny. You need more exposure (somehow...); already easily one of the best proper enthusiast channels on KZbin.

[@AndyQuinton]

These sideburns are powerful and I for one lament their passing.

[@samdevries6280]

Very nice video man!!! What I like about it, is that you don’t use (noisy-) music at the background, so you can really hear the sound of the engine, superb!!!!!! Well done you👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@robbieelvin4951]

I really enjoyed this, I'd like to see more classic cars especially those that are at the more affordable end of the market.

[@davidmatthews3093]

I had a 126 back in the very early ‘80s. I used it to travel between Bournemouth where I worked and and Worthing where I lived, a return journey I did at least twice a week for several years. It was brilliant, fun and economical. We even took it on holiday across the channel to France. I bought it because it was great value and much more interesting than other similarly priced cars. I eventually traded it in for a brand new Fiat Uno 45 in January 1984. The Uno was one of my favourite cars that I’ve owned.

[@MikeyBee1]

Love quirky cars like this! Great bit of film Jonny, and totally get the attraction of a simple car still being loads of fun. I'm a firm believer there are some great left-field cars out there without having to spend a fortune if you know where to look.

[@stevenwatson3963]

This is a great show, it's real and informative.Top gear, in it's latter days, used to make me feel like it was de-tuning my brain with its buffoonery.Great work here Jonny, well done.

[@allthekingshorses7178]

My mum used to have a Polski Fiat 126, in a grey colour (A947 JSW) with the chrome bumpers...so basic yet simple and joyful. Quite underrated for a classic car.

[@connorstirling3343]

Enjoying seeing the more left-field motors around Jonny🤙🏼

[@PNoblesGarage]

Hi Johnny, I always thought you were the best presenter on fifth gear. Always looked forward to your segments on the program. Love your style and how natural you are in front of the camera. Wish you the best of success and hopefully your following will grow. Keep up the great work and spreading the passion of cars. 👍🏻

[@TheLateBrakeShow]

Really kind of you. Thank you.

[@mueenmir]

U r awesome, simply awesome not following the other auto journalists. Thanks for refreshing visuals.

[@ClarksonDan]

Fantastic Video! I love the simplicity!

[@beckyhskns]

Love the youtube channel Jonny, First car i owned was a 126 pale blue with MISTRAL surfing stickers all over it and a TURBO sticker on the back which gave many smiles and laughter around the worcester area in the eighties 😂

[@michasan6145]

Yesssss - we got one years ago. I bought it for my wife and she loved it (...me too). It war really fun to drive it.

[@Bryan-fg3ey]

My mate had one in 81 when we were at college. We went on a 4 up trip to London,one of the rear seat passengers suffered from car sickness and we had had a " party' the night before. Sean decided a bowl of 4 Weetabix would settle his head and help fend of car sickness........ All I will say is,it's a very little car to be in when a rear seat passenger is projectile vomitting last night's cider and the morning Weetabix all over it. Happy days.

[@ImplyDods]

I remember being in a Fiesta MK1 950 pop as a courtesy car. I was doing 45 in top (4th), wanted to overtake the car in front so dropped it into 3rd and it slowed down to 40. Those where the days. Enjoying the channel Johnny, keep em coming..

[@TeamTripod2011]

Hey dude, I’m about to head down south tomorrow (Sat 16th) to pick up a 1996 126p, left hand drive Polish model. I can’t wait, I’m so excited and your video just made me even more so. Thanks!!! Any other top tips would be welcome!

[@V8Roehrldrifter]

My grandpa had an 126p in the 80s, in Poland. I was a kid but still remember the sound of it. To imitate the sound, just shut your ears with your fingers, put your tongue out and let it wobble by blowing :)

[@callumk5]

Less power than a 2CV! I absolutely subscribe to the less is more philosophy. Cheap, basic cars remind me of all the things you don’t really need on a car, whilst connecting you with the mechanical feel of things. I bought a 2CV some years ago because I wanted a cheap convertible and ended up absolutely loving it because of its back to basics nature. I’m currently looking forward to the summer for more ludicrous angle cornering!

[@charliesteele170]

Johnny this is a great channel, loving the content. Could we possibly see all the cars in your collection in one video? I'd love to see what other automotive treats you have stored away, and what interesting cars you have previously owned

[@EmanueleTozzato]

I’m finding all my favorite cars as I scroll down to older videos. It’s my fourth in a row 😅

[@dangurney8107]

Keep doing what you're doing Jonny. :) One of the great things about your stuff is that it's not what the audience expects, and probably not even what the audience would request if asked. It's a different take on something familiar, or indeed on something 'quirky and oddball' (as per previous commenter) and that's what's great about it. Having said that, maybe some tips for people who want to dip a toe into the world of 'oddball classics'? Where to look? How to look? Lessons learnt the hard way? It won't do me any good 'cos I haven't got the garage space, but I'd watch it anyway!

[@scottishfanta]

Yes Johnny!!! Loved this video can't wait for more! 😁😁

[@wilkin52]

Keep doing the more niche stuff like this. Too many hypercar vids (which I watch of course) but there is a real need for this type of content.

[@TheLateBrakeShow]

Dan Wilkinson Thank you v much Dan - I shall be inspired by what you said.

[@mitchell.9632]

Awesome video. This is all the ink I have in one go to not dip the quill yet again, so this is what I post.

[@greggScutum]

Oh man, you reviewed the Polish 126p haha, soo cool! Pozdrawiam :D

[@damirkvajo]

My first car was a red Fiat 126p, Thank you for this video, Jonny :)

[@kiwiatmbs]

I enjoyed this, I can relate to a lot of what you're saying about the 126p as I have a Trabant up in Glasgow which is arguably even worse than this (infact, there is no argument, it is worse), but it's utterly fantastic to get out and drive. Every stop at the petrol station is a full conversation with someone about it, some know all about it, some have no idea but are certainly interested to find out. The joys of driving obscure and quirky cars on the modern day roads filled with econoboxes! As far as the channel is concerned, you obviously have quite a varied taste in what you own and what you're interested in so just keep the content based on where your interests lie and I'm sure you wont go too far wrong.

[@tomhughes6486]

Really enjoy your channel and your outlook on car life. Just listened to your appearance on Matt Farah's Smoking Tire podcast. Loved the bumper cars at your wedding story. You should find a Chevrolet Corvair to drive. Another air-cooled, rear engine classisc.

[@kim007250]

Go Go Go Jonny Boy....Keep Em Coming !

[@StephenButlerOne]

Learnt to drive in 91 in about a 20 year old some of these. Dad was given it. We use to take ot to bike meets. Would love some now.

[@virgilrytaar9083]

What a great presenting style! A natural,this should be on the telly. I thought you were good on 5th gear but this is on another level. Keep up the good work............924 soon I hope

[@West4ea]

I had one 6 years ago. Right hand drive air cooled from 1987. I loved it. Purchased in Sunderland I drove it back down the A1 to Peterborough without a fault. Then took it to work when the exhaust promptly fell off and was run over by a truck. Sold due to moving and new house not having the space or the garage

[@RicardoCamposPorto]

This is the way to go, Jonny. BTW, that's a damn sexy 126. Well done!

[@silkedavid8876]

I love that you have tape in the car. Essential in this car!

[@cibie01]

Loving this channel Jonny keep up the great work.

[@TheLateBrakeShow]

Cheers! Got lots in the pipeline.

[@Lewis_Treff97]

Still just as interesting on KZbin as you were on Fifth Gear. keep it up

[@neilcrook7838]

I've got one of these in Poland and they are a hoot. Mine's slightly modified so 0-100kmph is 12 seconds and top speed is 130 kmph. The engine cover comes off in 30 seconds but take 5 minutes to put back on.

[@toddmoon602]

Keep up the good work..!!!👍

[@matthewgodwin3050]

Love this little Fiat; growing up in the 80s, I saw these cars everywhere. Even our next door neighbour had a 126 Bis. But I've not seen one for a very long time. Where have they all gone? Great Channel, would love to features on some of the old Steem Cars; The Stanley Steem Car and the Doble Steem Car etc. The technology is fascinating.

[@kubik1F]

Matthew Godwin go to Poland :D btw I got one

[@MrShlomping]

Another grand video Jonny. As for ideas. I'd love a video on your car history and current collection. I remember seeing way back on fifth gear you had an 80s Mercedes diesel in harlequin colours and running on chop fat if I remember correctly.

[@georgejacob3162]

Never had a 126 but I had a 1994 Cinquecento. I loved the simplicity of that car and the characterful noise it made.

[@RETROCAM73]

Brilliant little cars my dad had a brand new one in 1973 M reg his company car he used to disconnect the speedo at weekends and do Production Car Trials with the Tunbridge wells Motor Club and I brought one 1989 on my 16th birthday £105 wish I still had it great fun and a great episode Jonny 🙂👍🏻😎

[@malcolmscott4150]

Great channel and content - fun and unique

[@paulbown57]

Another fantastic video Jonny and I'm really enjoying your take on slightly quirky cars. I related to everything you said about your 126 and why you love driving / owning as I've got a 1969 Fiat 500 and absolutely adore it. As you said, it's how different they are to drive to modern cars. I've also got a new Golf R with a flappy paddle gearbox and I love driving the 500 to remind how to drive and that I have to actually think about what I'm doing and has nothing to do with how fast it goes (or doesn't go)! Would love you to take my 500 to review alongside the 126 if you'd be interested? Keep up the great videos!

[@frankcasatelli4078]

Love it! Great review!

[@MasonJarGaming]

Such a charming little car. I love that little thing

[@GuyDeaux]

I had one back in the day. Loved that crappy little car. Spent lots of time fixing virtualy the whole car, but that's part of the charm. When driving alone it felt like driving a cart. Had great fun!

[@nicholaslopez7918]

Can’t wait to see the content with Stig Blomqvist!

[@kellypaws]

Oh, yes, without doubt you were the highlight of Fifth Gear, your true passion for cars shone through so vividly. You're more than a car journalist, you're co-presenters are car journalists, you are clearly a true enthusiast, which was engagingly clear in every piece. Admire your work, love to actually meet you one day.

[@TheWinstn60]

Great video thanks Jonny

[@rodanderson1922]

Another Great Car Pervert Video. Here in New Zealand there have been Fit cars on the road for as long as I can remember, and I think I'm right in saying we got, and likely still get, their entire range of models. I actually learnt to drive in an 850 coupe of 19689 vintage, back in 1973. they were reasonably common then, but I haven't seen one for a Long Time now? I owned one later on in life myself, as well as a Bambina. I recall seeing a few 126's on the road, but once again, not for a Long Time. I agree with what Jonny Smith says, that we buy classic cars for the enjoyment of them, because they are perhaps a little quirky, and because they are different, and you don't see them on the road every day? I currently own a 1878 Suzuki SC100 CXG coup, and I haven't seen another one on the road in all the time I have owned it, although there still are around a dozen left in New Zealand, albeit in various states of disrepair, from absolutely immaculate, through to needing a complete restoration?

[@martingilligan]

Nice video mate

[@paulzebra]

Loved the 126 , back in the early 90’s I had 3 agree with you perfect first classic. Also love R4’s 2CV’s etc.

[@charlesholland-keen2222]

I love small Fiats. My first car was a 1962 Fiat 500 Giardiniera Estate that I manage to roll onto it's roof while failing to negotiate a sharp bend in thick fog. The very rigid body work sustained minor damage and I was uninjured despite the lack of seat belts. The little survived my teenage pedal to the metal driving without complaint and frequently carried four adults. I have since owned nearly 50 cars including a Fiat 500F saloon and a Fiat 126 that was mainly used by my wife.

[@andyboothe4377]

Mamma had an 1981 with the floor start and a 1987 with the key start, both awesome and you could snooze on the back seat👌😊

[@AllTheMagic]

Johnny I loved you shopping for bargains, and information about pitfalls. How about a video on buying a decent £2-5k car and running it? (Btw I love the look of this video with the extra info written in) other than that. DONT MAKE US WAIT SO LONG FOR THE NEXT VIDEO!!!!!!!

[@greginnocent438]

Top vids Jonny, love the 126! I’m a fiat fan and run a new 500 Abarth daily. Love classics as well especially the old Vauxhalls. Viva, Magnum, Firenza, Cavalier Sri, Astra GTE. I learnt to drive in my Dads green Viva estate and would love to own one if I could get hold of one! Also love the old Fiats, 132, 131, 130’s and used to have a black 127 Sport, which set on fire, sadly!

[@blackpool321]

Had a 126 20 odd years ago, loved it . Called her Fanny the wonder Fiat....Don't see any right hand drive ones now ..

[@HesmiyuMC]

I have a 1981 Fiat 126 in White and is Right-hand drive :D (Also in UK :P )

[@bloodyhell302]

I'm getting my rhd Fiat 126 delivered tomorrow morning. Will register it same day and learn to drive right hand. I wonder how many Fiat 126's are around in WA State, let alone rhd ones. I might very well be the only one with a 126. *unless there's one displayed at the Tacoma Car Museum.

[@anakrinokairos]

Like almost every family in Poland we had one of these, back in the 80s. One time I remember, that my dad drove me and 10 other kids in this car (at once). It was kind of a world record, I guess :-)

[@piotrczajkowski5050]

We had exactly the same. The same lift, version, the same color. My parents had. And you are nuts BTW :)

[@Roger_Ramjet]

Good stuff man. Subscribed.

[@cme2cau]

Jonny you're a brave man asking people to tell you where to go. Between scrappage and SORN so many old cars are just gone in the UK. What interests me is that the rare models in a makers lineup seem to be preserved, the car that dad or granddad drove are just gone. In my case, that would be a Vauxhall Victor and a Ford Popular!

[@blackpool321]

I had a rhd white one in the early 90s ,I remember driving on the M6 to Manchester on a November night in pouring rain with lorries overtaking ....Fun days .

[@mickmarfia8589]

Great video bro 🍿👍🍿

[@dj_paultuk7052]

Great cars. Back in the early 90's, my sister had a 1979 Fiat 126. It had a full length sunroof. Funny bit was that i could sit on the top of the drivers seat, head poking out of the roof and drive down the road. Was like a little toy pedal car !. Seem to remember i managed 63mph once. On a very long road.

[@gilligan6868]

When I was stationed in England (1996-2000), I owned a 1986 126 (RHD) and absolutely LOVED it. By far the most fun car I've ever driven. I would purposely go the long way to work to take the "C" roads.

[@HubNut]

Now that is a car I would very much like to own. Welcome to KZbin! Where we can make films about dreadful cars, and people enjoy watching them!

[@robdixon3953]

HubNut we need a drag race between your invacar and this fiat 😂

[@HubNut]

Rob Dixon We have been discussing a meet up...

[@pipoms]

I would love to have this little car, it looks so good

[@PipeOPhile]

I wish you'd upload more videos like these, just driving in your cars perhaps, I find your insights really interesting. Would love to some day get the 126 or "Peglica" here (Croatia). Other good classic car alternatives are Renault 4 and, for me, Kadett C but that's personal because it was the first ever car in my family, owned by my Grandfather and passed on to my dad when I was a baby riding in the back. There is no car on the planet I would rather own than an early Opel Kadett C. I'm sure everyone has a sentimental story like that and I love to see them pursue it. Beetles and 500s are getting quite expensive these days if in good nick. Have you ever considered a Yugo?

[@tonyp741]

New subscriber to your channel. I always loved you on Fifth Gear, you always did the interesting stuff. Love you on Fully Charged, I love EVs but I also love petrol cars. Anything you cover will be great, just not diesels!

[@pwatom22]

A fun car and a great video. 👍

[@micheltebraake7915]

In the past I had two FIAT 126, one with the sunroof. Great time with it.

[@piggymito]

Have you still got this car Jonny? I'd love to see more of it. Some road trip videos in quirky old cars would be great to watch!

[@simonwhite2890]

There was a go who used to rip round the German town i lived in, in a Fiat Ritmo, used to go like stink, or so it seemed to me at the time! Good vid, the current Mrs White is becoming quite perturbed by my muttering about starting a classic car collection though.

[@markrutter6439]

Does anyone remember the fiat 127sport it came with twin choke webber carbs on and it went like stink me and a few friends all used to have them back in the 80s and we used to race them through country lanes they were so fast for what they were

[@pit_stop77]

I had a 127 "special" which meant it had heated rear window and nylon seats above the ordinary cars plastic seat covers and no window heater 😎

[@conkeroonee]

I was driving a mk2 Mexico and a 127 sport was faster than me, couldn't catch it.

[@richarddutchholland4780]

One of the technicians in my comprehensive school in the 80s had a black 127 sport.... we all thought it was shit at the time. Would love to have it now...

[@TK42138]

mark rutter Yes, I remember a time when they were seen on UK roads - along with other Fiats such as the Strada.

[@jennydonne8946]

My Mum had a 1982 Fiat 127 super 5 speed in burgundy, mechanically tough as old boots & the 1050cc engine was throaty, shame it rusted so badly.

[@maxbarthez881]

I had few of them! It was so simply to repair so we love it ! Maluch ! Kaszlok ! O yes! You got 👍 and sub ! And DCH is King ! Regards