How to get a Maluch?

Edward Gierek’s promise to produce small-engine cars was not only motivated by the desire to motorise society. It was also a clever ploy to take excess savings out of the pockets of Poles and eliminate the so-called monetary overhang. Unlike other new cars, which could be bought with a voucher, the Polish Fiat 126p was to be sold with a deposit. Despite the fact that, even after paying the full amount in one go, the wait for their own Maluch could be several years, millions of Poles decided to take part in this great national lottery, often at the cost of many sacrifices.

Photo 1.

Deposits for the Fiat 126p were accepted from 5 February 1973.

‘Słowo Polskie’ of 25 January 1973, No. 21, p. 2 (collections of the Ossolineum Library / Periodicals Department)

Photo 2.

On the very first day, Lower Silesians flocked to the branches of the Universal Savings Bank to pay for their dream car.

‘Słowo Polskie’ of 6 February 1973, No. 31, p. 1 (collections of the Ossolineum Library / Periodicals Department)

Photo 3.

Acceptance of deposits for cars to be sold between 1977 and 1980 ended on 15 March 1973. More than ten thousand passbooks for the Fiat 126p were opened in the Wrocław Voivodeship.

‘Słowo Polskie’ of 28 March 1973, No. 74, p. 6 (collections of the Ossolineum Library / Periodicals Department)

Photo 4.

The first Fiat 126p was assembled at the Bielsko-Biała Small-Engine Car Factory on 6 June 1973. As production started earlier than expected, 500 cars were drawn in August 1973 from among those who had paid in full and were due to collect their cars in 1977.

‘Słowo Polskie’ of 11 July 1973, No. 163, p. 7 (collections of the Ossolineum Library / Periodicals Department)

Photo 5.

Among the lucky ones who drew a Fiat 126p in August 1973 were 19 citizens of Wrocław and 22 residents of other towns in the Wrocław Voivodeship.

‘Słowo Polskie’ of 22 August 1973, No. 198, p. 2 (collections of the Ossolineum Library / Periodicals Department)

Photo 6.

It was possible to buy a Fiat 126p out of turn for foreign currency by paying 1250 US dollars to Polska Kasa Opieki, which was equivalent to 125,000 zlotys at the black market rate. This was almost twice the official price of the car.