History
FSO Syrena
Named after the Warsaw Mermaid, the FSO Syrena pioneered front-wheel drive in Eastern Europe with its launch in 1957. The unusual three-cylinder two-stroke engine provided adequate power while maintaining excellent fuel economy. Its simple body-on-frame construction and lightweight design allowed decent performance from just 30hp. The Syrena underwent several updates during its long production run, with later versions featuring improved styling and four-stroke engines. Despite its humble specifications, it motorized thousands of Polish families and became an automotive icon representing post-war Polish industrial achievement.