The gift of “Maluch” (Fiat 126p)

On November 30 in the City of Angels, Tom Hanks received the keys to his very own, and an absolutely unique Fiat 126p from Monika Jaskólska and the Partners of the action “Bielsko-Biała for Tom Hanks”. Handing over of a customized version of the legendary car was taking place in a picturesque villa of Polish Consulate in Los Angeles. 

Precisely at 3:07 pm local time, Tom Hanks turned on the engine of his new Fiat 126p… right in the living room of the residence, where the car had been waiting, tied with a giant red bow. Hanks took time admiring the vehicle and attentively listening to the history of this uniquely Polish car. During the presentation, he put a decal with the Polish white, crowned eagle on the back window. He also admitted that while taking a photo by a Fiat 126p in Budapest in 2016, he did not expect he would be able to hear its beautiful story a year later.

Hanks was also deeply interested in the history of the Pediatric Hospital in Bielsko-Biała and the cause “Nie wypada nie pomagać” (“It’s no good not to help”), congratulating Monika Jaskólska on her fundraising initiative. He praised her ability to notice the problem and act in the way she had been for the benefit of others. Hanks also found the motto of the 4-year long action “It’s no good not to help” very appropriate.

An emotional exchange of comments and thoughts with the leader of the initiative “Bielsko-Biała for Tom Hanks” was followed by socialization with invited guests. The group included Polish national and international journalists and representatives of the main Partners of the action: Rafał Sonik, a quad champion, entrepreneur, and philanthropist who had funded the Fiat 126p for Tom Hanks, Stefan Malczewski, Chief Corporate Officer of LOT Polish Airlines which transported the iconic car from Warsaw directly to LA, Krzysztof Hankus, the owner of BB Oldtimer Garage, a company that had restored and tuned up the suspension of the Fiat for Tom, and finally, Piotr Kowalski from the portal JadeZabiore.pl whose company was responsible for moving the vehicle within Poland and the US.

Everybody was excited to see Hanks’ first reaction to the car that was absolutely one of a kind. The actor kept repeating that he was shocked, dazzled, and enthralled. He loved the car’s interior, colors and custom-made detail such as typewriter keys as interior switches and a gear knob with the symbol of Bielsko-Biała city. The vintage windscreen washer pump made a huge impression on the celebrity as well.

Famous for his dedication to charity causes, the American actor also answered questions about his donation to the local pediatric hospital in Bielsko-Biała. He admitted that the main reason for his engagement was the same as Monika Jaskólska’s. “Maybe you are not able to support every initiative, but you can support some”, he added.

After the press conference, everybody proceeded to the displayed Fiat 126p where the actor met and shook hands with all representatives of the Partners of the action “Bielsko-Biała for Tom Hanks”. Finally, he eagerly hopped behind the wheel of his very own Maluch. One more photo with Monika Jaskólska and they were off for a short test drive.

The new owner asked to register the Fiat under his and his wife’s name which could only mean that he was going to cruise it down the roads of sunny California. “I may not be able to drive it to Utah or Las Vegas, but I will surely take it for a spin around the town”, he announced during the meeting.