FSO Syrena, Warszawa, Polski Fiat and Polonez: Books

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 Warszawa

The book presents all models and variants of the Warszawa cars produced at the Passenger Car Factory FSO in Żerań between 1951 and 1973, as well as prototypes that never reached mass production.

It discusses the origins of the project against the post-war automotive situation in Poland and the technical level of 1945-1950. Following a chronological order, it describes the Warszawa M20, modernization work and prototypes from 1955-1957, developments from 1957-1959, the Warszawa Ghia prototypes, the 201, 202, 203 and 204 models, the 210 prototype and related versions.

It also covers later upgrades, production growth, export, and the use of Warszawa components in other vehicles. The publication includes numerous photos and drawings and explains technical solutions and structural differences between the models.

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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 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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Warszawa (Samochody w PRL)

The book presents the importance of the FSO Warszawa in the history of Polish automotive industry and its influence on everyday life in the post-war decades. Production began in 1951 and marked the start of modern Polish car manufacturing. Over 22 years more than 250.000 units were built, and its chassis and powertrain were also used in tens of thousands of Żuk and Nysa vans.

The Warszawa played a significant role in the social life of the 1950s and 1960s. It formed the basis of state company fleets and was widely used as a taxi, ambulance, police car and driving school vehicle. For two decades it dominated Polish roads. In 1965 it accounted for 58% of all registered cars.

For younger readers it is now a historic vehicle; for older generations it is a source of memories. The book recalls this important and familiar car.

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