A fine red FSO Polonez 1.6 GLE, seen on the premises of the Beijing Classic Car Museum.The good Polonez was in a great shape, and at the time it was still used as a daily driver.
Interior in great shape too. Hard black plastics don’t die… Four-speed manual gearbox mounted on the bottom of the center console. Large steering wheel. Protective seat covers need some protection themselves.
FSO is an automaker from Poland. The Polonez was based on the Polski Fiat 125p, which was built by FSO under license from Fiat. Production started in 1978 and lasted all the way until 2002. The name ‘Polonez’ comes from a Polish dance.
This particular example was built in 1993 and arrived in China in 1994. Power comes from a 1.6 liter four-cylinder petrol engine with an output of 86hp and 132nm. Top speed is 150km/h.
A closer look at the position of the gear lever. Small FSO badge on the steering wheel.
The Polonez was relatively common car in China until the late 1990’s, especially in the north and northeast. Sadly, today most have been abandoned or scrapped.
But one day it was indeed so common that a certain Chinese automaker called Dongfanghong based its own passenger cars on the platform, without telling Poland…
The original FSO mudflaps!
All the badges are still on the car. ’94 sticker refers to the year the car arrived in China, indicating a loving owner.
The FSO was parked next to a Nanjing NJ230 truck, which is currently displayed inside the museum. Perhaps one day, the FSO Polonez will stand there as well.
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