FSO Syrena, Warszawa, Polski Fiat and Polonez: books

Małolitrażowe samochody popularne FSO

This book tells the story of the attempts to design and produce a "people's car" under socialism in Poland. It describes a number of now completely forgotten prototypes and several vehicles produced in small series between 1954 and 1970.
The main role in the programme to build a small car was played by the now defunct FSO Żerań car factory in Warsaw.

Text in Polish.

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Samochody Warszawa

This monograph explores all models and variations of the Warszawa car produced at the Fabryka Samochodów Osobowych in Żerań from 1951 to 1973, including prototypes that never entered serial production. It delves into the origins and commencement of Warszawa car production amidst the post-World War II automotive situation in Poland and the state of automotive technology from 1945 to 1950.

Following a chronological order, it covers the Warszawa M20, modernization efforts, and prototypes from 1955-1957, the development of Warszawa car design from 1957-1959, Warszawa Ghia prototypes (1957-1959), Warszawa 201 cars (1960-1964) and derivatives, Warszawa 202 (1962-1964), Warszawa 203 and 204 (1964), Warszawa 210 prototype, derivative versions of models 203/223 and 204/224, modernization changes and car prototypes from 1966-1973, as well as production development, car exportation, and the utilization of Warszawa car assemblies in other vehicles.

The content is richly illustrated with valuable photographs and drawings. Unlike other publications on this topic, significant attention is devoted to the technical aspects, describing construction details and distinctive differences among the various Warszawa car models.

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Samochody z Nysy 1957-2019

A richly illustrated book about vehicles produced and assembled in Nysa in the years 1957-2019. Among others, the production of special bodies on truck chassis is described, the first prototype of the Nysa N57 from 1957 and subsequent serial models and prototypes of Nysa vans, the Polonez Ambulans and Truck, the Citroën C15 and Berlingo cars, prototypes of Daewoo Lanos vans, as well as the Clic and IXAR prototype cars.
Turkish vehicles based on the Nysa van are also presented.

Details of individual vehicle models, the history of their development and the basic technical data of the produced types are given. There are also many archival, hitherto unpublished photos.

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Samochody z Żerania 1978-2011

The second volume of a richly illustrated two-part book focuses on vehicles produced at the Fabryka Samochodów Osobowych (FSO) factory in Warsaw from 1978 to 2011. It covers mass-produced cars, assembly operations, and prototypes.

Highlighted vehicles in this volume include the 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, and Tacuma, as well as the Chevrolet Aveo.

It also features FSO prototypes such as the excursion minibus, Analog, Wars, BR-83, 85, and 87, and models considered as licensed or assembled vehicles.

The book provides insights into the origins, development history, and basic technical specifications of each vehicle, complemented by numerous photographs, many of which have not been previously published.

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Samochody osobowe Polski Fiat 508 i 518

This illustrated book delves into the development history, technical details, and operational data of the Polski Fiat 508 and 518 cars. Initially assembled and later produced under license by the State Factories of Automotive and Semi-Automotive Vehicles Engineering in Warsaw, these vehicles formed the foundation of motoring in the Second Polish Republic.

Once pillars of interwar motoring, surviving examples of these cars now adorn museums and private collections. The book features archival photographs and detailed illustrations throughout, with Wojciech Kossak's "Góralskie wesele" gracing the cover.

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Samochody z Żerania 1951-1977

This richly illustrated book explores the prototypes and mass-produced cars from the early years of the Fabryka Samochodów Osobowych (FSO) factory in Żerań, spanning from 1951 to 1977. It provides insights into their origins, developmental history, and basic technical specifications. Additionally, the book features numerous previously unpublished archival photographs of the described vehicles.

Highlighted cars include the FSO Warszawa, FSO Syrena, Polski Fiat 125p, Polski Fiat 128 Sport Coupe / 128 3P, Polski Fiat 131p, Polski Fiat 132p, and Zastava 1100p / 1100 Mediteran.
Furthermore, it showcases FSO prototypes such as 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 first comprehensive and detailed monograph of the Syrena - the cult passenger car of the People's Republic of Poland period. The author describes the decision-making process of designing and launching the production of the Syrena, describes pre-prototypes and prototypes of this car, analyses labour intensity, production and sales costs, and provides data on the investment outlays necessary to launch production.

The book describes the successive versions of the Syrena car (100, 101, 102, 103, 104 and 105) and the engines powering them.
It describes attempts to develop special versions of the Syrena (microbus, Syrena Sport, Syrena kombi/furgon, delivery van, Syrena "Laminat"). The author writes about the problems associated with the transfer of Syrena production from FSO in Warsaw to the Fabryka Samochodów Małolitrażowych (FSM) in Bielsko.

Also presented are cars for agriculture constructed on the basis of the Syrena: Syrena R-1, Syrena R-2, Syrena R-20, as well as cars designed in Poznań based on the Syrena chassis: Warta, Tarpan and Transporter TR 4x2/1 (motorised wagon).
The book is illustrated with some 300 previously unpublished photographs and technical drawings. Text in Polish.

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Warszawa (Samochody w PRL)

The FSO Warszawa car holds significant importance in Polish economic and social history. Its production, which began in the autumn of 1951, marked the post-war era of the Polish automotive industry. This encompasses not only the 22 years of Warsaw production (1951-1973) and over 250,000 units built but also the numerous Żuk and Nys delivery vehicles that utilized the sturdy Warsaw chassis and drivetrain.

During the 1950s and 1960s, Warszawas played a pivotal role in Polish societal life, dominating various automotive-related sectors such as taxis, ambulance services, state-owned company fleets, police cars, and driving education. They were ubiquitous, found in cities and rural areas, in the east and west of the country, constituting 58% of all registered vehicles in Poland by 1965.

For young readers, the Warsaw is now a vintage Polish car, while for those aged 50 and above, it evokes nostalgic memories. Through this book, we aim to narrate or reminisce about the old, dependable Warsaw. Perhaps not the most modern, light, or fuel-efficient, but ours, from Żerań. Perhaps that's the best reason to cherish it.

Text in Polish.

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