I owned a 126 back in 1989, although somewhat modified...
started out running a 2.0litre Lancia twin-cam mid-mounted with Range-Rover gear/transfer box fitted backwards to enable 4-wheel drive utilising BMW diffs
The shift pattern was completely opposite, so 1st was where 5th would normally be
Then went to Rover v8 as it was lighter than the Lancia unit + didn't have to use an adaptor for the gearbox
The body was widened with nicely made box-type arches in steel (not modified Escort etc).....was nearly as wide as it was long......
Awesome piece of kit and fully road legal
.....it could pull wheelies going backwards !
Sold it in 1990 and haven't heard about it since