Elvedin Ćatić, a resident of the Sanski Most village of Husimovci, is the proud owner of a FIAT 126, also known as the popular „peglica“ (little iron). His tiny four-wheeler captures the attention of the streets of Sanski Most and other places it appears.
Ćatić said he bought the car some time ago in Modriča, from a local owner who had kept it in his garage for over 12 years.
„I’ve owned and driven a ‘peglica’ before, and at home, I have a worn-out example that now comes in handy for parts. My wish was to find a ‘peglica’ in good condition, and in the end, by chance, I succeeded. I believe its previous owner was from Gradiška, but the car hasn’t been driven for a long time, so I had to do some restoration and invest in it,“ Ćatić said.
He added that people often stop him and inquire about his favorite car. It evokes nostalgia in the older generation and amazement in the younger generation, as they have never seen such a car before. The legendary „peglica“ used to be an automotive icon, especially on Eastern European roads, but today it is a rarity to see such a car, as its production has long ceased.
Ćatić said that it is a reliable vehicle, and due to the engine’s capacity and power, it is very economical and fuel-efficient, especially in today’s conditions when fuel prices frequently fluctuate. However, its internal space is a problem, so tall drivers, like Ćatić, have difficulty getting in, and the seat in the car must be moved as far back as possible.
The FIAT 126 was a car created in the FIAT factory in Turin and was produced in Italy from 1972 to 1980. Its production also took place in Poland from June 6, 1973, to September 22, 2000, where it gained great popularity, which then spread to other countries in the former Eastern Bloc. Although its production in Italy ceased in 1980, it continued in Poland until 2000. It is worth noting that the FIAT 126 was also produced in the „Zastava“ factory in Kragujevac, under the name Zastava 126. Despite good marketing, the car never achieved the popularity of its predecessor, the FIAT 500, which was truly embraced as the people’s car.
It is estimated that approximately 1.3 million vehicles were produced in Italy, 3.3 million in Poland, and an unknown number of vehicles in Yugoslavia. In Poland, the popular name for this car was „maluh“, which means little one, in Slovenia, it was known as „bolha“ or „buha“, and in Ireland and the United Kingdom as „bambino“. Due to its appearance in the former Yugoslavia, this FIAT model was often referred to as „tetrapak“.
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