Fiat 126: converted by OBARA Racing to comply with FIA category 2

A little Fiat 126 gets sporty! – a story by Edward Obara

The Fiat 126, like its predecessor, the Fiat 500, was indeed designed as a small compact city car. OBARA Racing proves, however, that the “Maluch”, as it is called in Poland (the name means “toddler”), also has a sporty side to it. This company converted a Fiat 126 built in 1983 into a so-called “Improved Series Touring Car” as per the specifications in Appendix J of the International Sporting Code for the FIA, classification group 2, that were in force between the 1960s and 1980s.

Fiat 126, converted by OBARA Racing to comply with FIA category 2

OBARA Racing was founded by Edward Obara who had previously worked as a design engineer at a research and development centre of the well-known Fiat FSM factory until 1976. After reading our newsletter, Mr. Obara kindly drew our attention to the story of his little Fiat 126 and told us about his professional career. The FSM factory emerged in the 1970s from the Ochsner & Sohn design office based in Silesia which, in between, also operated under the name WSM. After he had founded OBARA Racing, he rebuilt, between 1976 and 1986, various cars for rally/racing, committed himself to the further development of engines and won the Polish Rally Championship in group 2 (up to 700 cc) with his team in 1980 in a likewise converted Fiat 126p. Even today, advanced in years, he still enthusiastically restores Fiat 500 and Fiat 126 cars.

Photo documentation: Fiat 126, converted by OBARA Racing to comply with FIA category 2