What cars do you associate with movie stars? A Range Rover or Lamborghini, or perhaps a Bentley? How about the Polski Fiat 126p?
What started out as an in-joke for his Twitter followers has become a reality for double Oscar-winning actor Tom Hanks. Hanks, it seems, has a fondness for posing for photos near any Fiat 126 he can find, joking it is his new car. There is no doubt this little car has invoked his affection – but tragically it was never sold in the USA.
I got a new car! Hanx pic.twitter.com/kzij8QEIyo
— Tom Hanks (@tomhanks) November 18, 2016
The actor’s fondness of the car inspired Hanks-fan Monika Jaskolska from Poland to launch a fundraiser to buy and restore a car for him. However, she soon found willing volunteers. Jaskolska was able to buy the 1975 car for nothing and BB Oldtimer Garage gifted her the restoration.
The volunteers restored the Polski Fiat to its original condition, albeit with a respray from turquoise to white. Carlex Design provided the new interior, in two-tone leather, which features a few unique details to make the Hanks 126p truly special. The company fitted switches that resemble typewriter keys, as a nod to the actor’s habit of collecting them. Skinny tires with white caps pay tribute to old-school look.
To finish the car off, Carlex added unique badging to the car. A plaque on the back declares it as “Bielsko-Biala for Tom Hanks”. Needless to say, lots of passion and effort went into the car, making it the envy of every 126p fan.
One final donation, from Polish airline LOT, ensures that the restored 126p will reach Hanks free of charge.
In Western Europe the Fiat 126 never repeated the success of its predecessor, the Fiat 500. It gained much stronger recognition in Eastern Europe. With the power peaking at 26hp, the little 126p wasn’t destined to break any speed records, but it’s an icon of mobility.
It was particularly important for Poland. Polish factory FSM manufactured the car under Fiat license for 27 years. These Polski Fiat 126p models, or “Maluch” (small one, in Polish), played a huge part in mobilizing ordinary Poles. By the end of production in 2000, FSM had produced over 3.3 million units, far exceeding the total output in Italy.
Hanks’s ‘One of One’ 126p may be one of the most unusual, and the restoration team unveiled it in a celebration on July 9. Jaskolska was able to donate the money raised through the endeavour – around $2,300 – to the Bielsko-Biala Pediatric Hospital, in the 126p’s home town.
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