Tom Hanks, the two-time Oscar-winning actor, has a unique and enduring fascination with classic communist-era cars, particularly the Polski Fiat 126p. This tiny microcar, which was ubiquitous in Poland and other Eastern European countries during the 1970s, has captured Hanks' heart in a way that few other vehicles have.
A Chance Encounter in Budapest
Hanks' love affair with the Polski Fiat 126p began during a trip to Budapest, Hungary. There, he frequently spotted the charmingly square-shaped cars with their playful headlights and couldn't resist sharing photos of them on Twitter, jokingly captioning them as 'My new car!' This light-hearted gesture was taken to heart by the residents of Bielsko-Biaa, Poland, where the Fiat 126p was manufactured.
In 2017, the residents of Bielsko-Biaa organized a public fundraiser to gift Hanks a beautifully refurbished white Polski 126p. The car was personalized with signs reading 'Bielsko-Biala for Hanks' and 'One of one' on the interior and exterior. It was flown to Los Angeles, where Hanks finally got to take it for a spin after picking it up at the residence of the Polish Consul General.
The Cultural Significance of the Fiat 126p
The Fiat 126p, introduced in October 1972, became a cultural icon in Poland and was affectionately nicknamed the 'toddler' due to its small size, which is almost identical to the original British Mini. Despite its diminutive size, the car has a reputation for being able to fit up to 14 people inside, although this is more of a folklore than a practical reality.
Hanks' affection for the Fiat 126p is part of a broader trend of Westerners embracing classic communist-era cars for their unique charm and historical significance. These vehicles, including the Yugoslavian Zastava Yugo and the East German Trabant, were once dismissed as subpar but are now sought after by collectors for their nostalgic appeal and quirky character.
Auction and Enthusiast Community
In 2022, Hanks' custom 1974 Fiat 126p was sold at auction for $83,500, a notable sum for a 23-horsepower microcar. This sale highlights the growing interest and value placed on these classic vehicles by enthusiasts and collectors. Workshops in Eastern Europe have been bustling with activity, restoring these cars to their former glory and catering to the renewed interest in communist-era automotive history.
