The Russians licensed, built and adapted the for their evergreen Lada. Later, the Fiat served as the basis of the Yugoslavian auto industry. In the mid-sixties, Poland, in desperate need of a new car, also looked to Turin.
The Fiat can be a bit confusing. Also, the interior was simplified, and other changes were made in consideration of the current conditions in Poland. Production got underway in , and some 1.
Exports were obviously attempted. The Polski Fiat was sold, with various success, throughout Europe, and was for years the cheapest roomy car to be had in the UK. Unfortunately, they rusted ferociously—after all, they were built of cheap East-bloc steel—which probably explains why this one was found in Chile and not in England.
Lets call today or this week Commie Car Day or week. I order the usual mandatory CC toast, for commie cars in this case, so they can be celebrated! I had one for 6 years it was reliable but crude compared to a car,put it next to a 60s car which it was and it is pretty good compared to a Ford Anglia or Vauxhall Viva. Mine was an 84 model which was owned by an old lady until she ran someone down with it in when I bought it. There was a lot of good stuff on the FSO Weber twin choke carb,dual circuit 4 wheel discs,remote boot release and a crude cruise control.
Often laughed at by car snobs but it was cheap and did the job so who had the last laugh? I shot a Polish Fiat for the cohort some time back it would be a contempory of this car. Survivors are very rare in either brand though several Lada s are alive locally. These were a dime a dozen in neighboring Argentina thru the mid 90s. There were several examples the FSO Polonez derived from this platform in odd corners of the less savory bits of London.
