Sweet Rides of Macedonia - January

A Year of Sweet Rides of Macedonia.

The Balkans have a large variety of old vehicles left over from the former glory days of empire.  Many are still around, and many of these have ended up in Macedonia.  Some still run, some are run to ground and some have been re-purposed.  Here is a collection to keep you company all year, one for each month.  I've done my best to identify the make and approximate year of each, but wear, user customization or just automotive error have thrown me off in some cases.  So, presenting:

MS JANUARY

Proudly representing this month is a group of vehicles manufactured in Serbia - the (in) famous Zastava.  This 767cc workhorse was made between 1959 to about 1980 when the factory then ran out of tiny lego blocks from which they were built.  No, even though it was aligned with Fiat, it ran out of economic gas, but was eventually resurrected by massive capital infusions by Fiat.  

Here is a 750.   It was the smallest they made.  I'd guess 1965.  My wife is much younger.

You'll find Zastava/Fiats all over Macedonia.  They are very cute and still serving their owners.  Some of the early models had doors that opened from the front toward the rear.  I think most of these have since killed their owners and the regular door versions are most common.

In front of the train station in Gevgelija.  The sweet luggage rake option sets this one apart.

Here is one that can no longer offer a sweet ride due to 4 flat tires.  It is still useful as a brace for a pile of bricks with gravel holding up the rear.

Many of these beauties have interiors of cloth seats, astroturf seats, wood seats, no seats, or mostly metal frames.  Coolness, not comfort is the important feature when you have the Zastava Sweet Ride!

Thank you Ms January!