UK’s rarest cars: 1988 Zastava Yugo 45A, the only one left
The Fiat-based cars from the former Yugoslavia soon became renowned for shoddy build quality, although a bargain price was some compensation
Among the new arrivals at the 1982 NEC Motor Show were the Ford Sierra, the Rover SD1 Vitesse, the MG Metro Turbo and the Audi 100 C3 – and a small three-door hatchback from the former Yugoslavia. The UK was then Zastava’s main export market, but today this Yugo 45A owned by Allan Symes is believed to be the sole roadworthy example.
Zavodi Crvena Zastava in what is now Serbia began making Fiats under licence 72 years ago. In 1971, it commenced building the 101 Skala, a hatchback version of the Fiat 128 of 1969. By May 1981, Zastava Cars (GB) Ltd commenced operations from its base at a former custard factory in Reading. The manufacturer desperately needed overseas markets because 40 per cent inflation had severely impacted its domestic market.
Zastava had high hopes for the 45, which it unveiled at the 1980 Belgrade motor show. It combined the Fiat 127’s floorpan and the Panda’s 45bhp 903cc engine (hence the name), with locally designed bodywork. The Telegraph thought the 45 “compared favourably with similar small hatchbacks”, while Autocar found it “a small, practical, basic hatchback”.
Unfortunately, the magazine was less impressed by “excessive adhesive oozing out from behind badly fitted headlining” and other examples of shoddy workmanship. This appears to have been a long-standing problem at the Zastava works; one alleged local saying was: “You need at least three years to fix everything that morons in the factory had ruined.”
The licence agreement with Fiat meant a two-year export embargo, so UK imports of the 45 began in March 1983 – “Class on Top of Class”, proclaimed the advertisements. For those who craved more power, there was the 1.1-litre 55. From 1984 onwards, the concessionaire used the Yugo name, then two years later Zastava introduced the facelifted 45A.
The manufacturer claimed more than 140 improvements; the A suffix stood for “American specification”, apparently. US sales of the Yugo began in 1985 but the lack of quality control at the factory ensured it soon became a comedy punchline. Jason Vuic’s fascinating book, The Yugo: The Rise and Fall of the Worst Car in History, notes that the US importer discovered that his first demonstrators were rejected French-market cars with non-functioning door locks and window winders. It did not bode well for the future.
On this side of the Atlantic, the brochure claimed: “Few hatchbacks can match such a winning combination of style, specification and low price.” It was the last named that caused many 45A buyers to ignore build issues, as well as a growing number of jokes. In 1988, the Yugo cost only £3,515 when an Austin Metro 1.0 City was £4,998 and it was also nearly £1,500 less expensive than a Ford Fiesta 950 Popular. The 45A was also nearly £500 cheaper than a Fiat Panda 750L, while a Vauxhall Nova 1.0 was £5,028.
Imports ended in early 1992 due to the war in the former Yugoslavia and the subsequent UN sanctions. By 1993, Yugo Cars called in the receiver, but the last of the 45/55 range did not leave the factory until 2008 after 794,428 units.
Today, Symes takes great pride in owning one of the nation’s rarest cars, which was also once regarded as one of the worst on UK roads: “It is a standard model, other than the dealer-fitted body kit and grille.”
The body kit and auxiliary lights give 45A the faint illusion of enhanced performance, which the standard engine soon dispels. The Yugo theoretically has a 79mph top speed, but Symes finds it happier when travelling below 60mph. Inside, there is the sheer luxury of “colour co-ordinated trim” (ie lashings of beige) and a dashboard that looks biodegradable.
Such features are all part of the 45A’s charm, and the reaction to Symes’ Yugo at classic car shows is entirely positive. He similarly finds that the public tends to respond with “usually a look of disbelief that she still exists. Then admiration. She is also surprisingly lovely to drive; easy and light”.
As Symes points out, who could resist the sheer style of the dealer-fitted body kit riveted to the bottom of the bumpers? Not to mention that a Yugo appeared in one of the worst commercials in UK television and cinema history.
[Source: Daily Telegraph]
