The TRUTH about… the FSO Polonez/Caro.

How a collection of Fiat cast-offs soldiered on into the 21st century, with a little help from Rover, Peugeot and Ford along the way.

Terry Burgess

The FSO Polonez debuted in 1978. At the time it was seen as a breakout car, taking the Polish maker away from its Fiat-clone roots. The styling was certainly a departure from the existing 125P, which looked just like the Fiat 125 from which it was in part derived. The 125P, available as 1300 and 1500 saloons and estates, retained the four-wheel disc brakes of the Fiat, but under the bonnet was an older three main-bearing pushrod engine dating back to 1961 with the launch of the Fiat 1300 and 1500 models. The power unit was highly regarded at that time, being designed by the great Aurelio Lampredi who had earlier produced Ferrari's first Formula 1 winning engine. The Fiat 1500 unit had an aluminium head with twin rocker shafts…

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Classics World (Digital) - 1 Issue, October 2024

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