FSO Syrena, Polski Fiat and Polonez: Books - History

Małolitrażowe samochody popularne FSO

The book presents the development of small cars designed and built under socialist economic conditions. The author describes many now-forgotten prototypes and several models produced in small series between 1954 and 1970.

A key role in these efforts was played by the FSO Passenger Car Factory in Żerań, Warsaw, which served as the main centre of research and production. The richly illustrated publication shows the technical challenges, material limitations, and real capabilities of the industry of that period.

Text in Polish.

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Samochody z Nysy 1957-2019

The book presents the development of vehicles produced and assembled in Nysa between 1957 and 2019. It outlines the history of the plant, which evolved from the Vehicle Body Construction Works into the POLMO Light Commercial Vehicle Factory in 1968, and in 1986 became part of the FSO Passenger Car Factory as the Nysa Light Commercial Vehicle Division.

It describes the production of special bodies, the first Nysa N57 prototype, later series models and prototypes, as well as the Polonez Ambulance and Truck, Citroën C15 and Berlingo, prototypes of Daewoo Lanos delivery vans, and the Clic and IXAR prototypes created outside the factory in the 21st century.

Turkish vehicles based on Nysa designs are also presented. The publication includes key technical data, development history of each model and many archival photographs, several of which have not been published before.

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Samochody z Żerania 1978-2011

The second volume presents vehicles produced and assembled at Fabryka Samochodów Osobowych in Warsaw between 1978 and 2011.
It describes series models, assembled cars and prototypes, including their history, technical development and main specifications. Each vehicle is shown in numerous photographs, including previously unpublished archival material.

This volume includes:
- Polski Fiat 125p / FSO 1500 (various versions and prototypes)
- FSO Polonez (various versions and prototypes)
- Fiat Ritmo
- Opel Astra F (I)
- Daewoo Tico, Espero, Lanos, Nubira, Leganza, Matiz, Tacuma
- Chevrolet Aveo

It also presents FSO prototypes such as the tourist minibus, Analog, Wars and BR-83/85/87, as well as models considered for licensed production or assembly.

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Samochody osobowe Polski Fiat 508 i 518

The book presents the development, key technical details and operating data of the Polski Fiat 508 and 518 cars. Initially assembled and later mass-produced under licence at the Passenger and Light Truck Factory of the State Engineering Works in Warsaw, these vehicles played an important role in the motorisation of the Second Polish Republic.

Today, the few surviving examples are preserved in museums and private collections. The publication includes archival photographs and detailed technical drawings. The cover features Wojciech Kossak's painting "Góralskie wesele".

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Samochody terenowe FSO - Historia, Prototypy, Konstrukcje 4x4

This book is the result of years of research by Sławomir Drążkiewicz, a historian of Polish automotive history during the PRL era. The book presents little-known attempts to design and introduce 4x4 vehicles into serial production from 1958 to 1990.

Based on the Warszawa, PF 125p, and FSO Polonez models, it focuses on wheeled vehicles intended for transporting small loads on dirt roads and off-road terrain.

The book is a unique source of knowledge on Polish off-road prototypes. It includes detailed descriptions of research and design work, technical documentation, and rare photographs, offering insight into the challenges faced by PRL-era engineers.

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Samochody z Żerania 1951-1977

The book presents prototypes and production cars manufactured and assembled during the early years of the Passenger Car Factory in Żerań between 1951 and 1977.

It provides information on the origins of each model, their development, and key technical data. The publication also includes many archival photographs, several of them previously unpublished.

It features vehicles such as the FSO Warszawa, FSO Syrena, Polski Fiat 125p, 128 Sport Coupe / 128 3P, 131p, 132p and the Zastava 1100p / 1100 Mediteran, as well as numerous FSO prototypes including the Warszawa Ghia, Warszawa 210, Syrena Sport, Syrena Kombi, Syrena 110, Syrena 607, Polski Fiat 125p Coupe, FSO 1300 Coupe and FSO Ogar LS.

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Syrena - Samochód popularny FSO

The book is an extensive and detailed monograph on one of the most iconic cars of the Polish People's Republic. It presents the decision to design and launch the Syrena, describes its pre-prototypes and prototypes, and analyses labour needs, production and sales costs, as well as the investment required to start manufacturing.

It covers the successive Syrena versions - 100, 101, 102, 103, 104 and 105 - and their engines. It also describes attempts to create special variants, including a minibus, Syrena Sport, estate versions, a delivery van and the "Laminat".
The book also discusses the challenges related to moving production from FSO Warsaw to the Small-Engine Car Factory in Bielsko.

It presents agricultural vehicles based on the Syrena (R-1, R-2, R-20) and Poznań-developed designs using its chassis: Warta, Tarpan and Transporter TR 4×2/1.

The publication includes about 300 previously unpublished photographs and technical drawings.

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