1973 The Italian Fiat 126 is officially launched at the Turin Motor show. Later that year the FSM Fiat 126 is also launched.
The UK receives the 594cc (23bhp) �126 Saloon� in light blue, yellow, white or red with Leather cloth seats.
1974 FSM expands capacity further by opening a new factory in Tychy (South Poland) capable of producing 250,000 vehicles per year.
SEAT a subsidiary of the Fiat group at this time launch there 133 which shares the look and many components of its Fiat 126 cousin.
The L version is launched in the UK and the Fiat 500 that has been sold in parallel for the last two years is stopped.
1976 At the Turin motor show the black plastic bumpers and door mouldings are introduced and the 126 De Ville is launched with its soft roof.
1977 The 594cc engine borrowed from the 500 is replaced in the UK by a new 24bhp 652cc engine in August. The 126 is available in dark blue, yellow, red, white or green with cloth seats and cloth door panels as an option. Way ahead of its time, run-flat tyres are an option (Dunlop Denovo Tyres).
1979 The UK is offered the special edition 126 De Ville �Silver� or �Black� models with the following unique features:
� Silver (grey) paint with black bumpers/mouldings and an orange coach line
� Grey Leather cloth with orange stripped fabric
� Pile Carpet
or
� Black paint with grey bumpers/mouldings and an grey coach line
� Tartan seat covers and door panels
� Pile Carpet
The SEAT 133 stops production.
1980 Italian production stops after a production run of 1,352,912 units.
1981 FSM celebrates the production of the 1 millionth 126p.
The colours available by now are Orange Red (171), Lord Blue (438), Sage Green (331) and Corfu White (224). Leather cloth is available in Beige or Black and Cloth is available in Black, Blue or Brown.
1982 The famous Lingotto factory (Italian Job fame) in Turin closes meaning the 126 was one of the last high volume vehicles to be produced in this building.
1985 In May the 126 is given a facelift with new bumpers and reverse and fog lights. Later in the year FSM start production of their new 650E engine.
1987 The 704cc (26 hp) water cooled BIS is introduced with an engine which is mounted horizontally to improve interior space.
1989 The 126 makes it to Australia as the Fiat Niki.
1991 The Cinquecento is introduced.
1992 This is the last year the 126 BIS will be available to the UK due to complete replacement with the Cinquecento.
Fiat buys a 92% holding in FSM after purchasing it from the struggling Communist government.
1994 The Polish el and elx have significant improvements inside and out, gaining Halogen head lights.
1996 The erx model is introduced.
2000 In September production stops at FSM but only after 1,000 special edition �Happy End� cars are produced.
FSM produced 3,318,674 Fiat 126�s and the large majority of these vehicles had transformed the lives of owners in Eastern Europe. The Polish are well known for referring to the 126 as a Maluch (baby) which reflects the affection they have for this car.
