Sweet Rides of Macedonia - April

MR APRIL - The Yugo Species 

Representing the month of April is the ubiquitous Yugo.  This sweet ride was brought to us by none other than that font of fine cars - Zastava.  The Yugo brand was placed on existing Fiat and Zastava model platforms for European and even US sales. Production occurred from 1977 until 2008 or so with interruptions due to financial issues and wars - both excellent reasons.

Most models are the 3-door hatchback, but a 2 and 4-door coupe are also present.  Above is the sweet 4-door model parked on the sidewalk, which is where you park all cars.

The Yugo/Fiat/Zastava was designed to be a low-cost introduction car.  After introduction here, it appears that most of them never left.  Yugos are everywhere in Macedonia.  I'd guess most models are from the 1990's but it is hard for me to tell as people keep these cars running using back-yard mechanical skills and abundant spare parts.   Below, for example is a sweet Yugo cluster.  One yellow, and 2 white Koral 55's.  It appears that one runs, one is a work in progress and one is used for parts.  The trifecta!

Now, I recall when Yugos were sold in the US.  This was soon after the glaciers had receded from New England, where we were living at the time.  These cars were priced at $3995, so you had a choice, you could either buy a beater Ford pick-up, or a new Yugo.  Many bought a Yugo, which were not well suited for New England winters and died, cold lonely deaths in the side yards of the budget-conscious.   I believe the quality did improve, but US sales were slim and Europe and the Balkans were the mainstay markets.

Some Yugos have been lovingly cared for.  Here for example, is a sporty custom job.  Good paint, nice rims, and sassy attitude.  So, if you do not like MR APRIL - you can just kiss the owner - there!

Al