by "CodyVella" (codyvella)
Published 05/05/2017 at 04:39
by "CodyVella" (codyvella)
Published 05/05/2017 at 04:39
No Tags
STARS: 2
The Polish FSO Polonez. I have a soft spot for econoboxes (especially RWD ones like this) from the former Eastern Bloc, especially this one. I also dated a woman with whom I’m still best friends with who was from Poland and has fond memories of these cars. I’ve seriously considered importing one.
"Jobjoris" (Jobjoris)
05/05/2017 at 05:11, STARS: 1
In the ‘90's the Polonez were available with a 1.4 16v engine by Rover, these 105hp units were the ones to get with their light weight (due to lack of safety/luxury). Or the older ones with the 2.0 Lampredi engines. Do it.
"kanadanmajava1" (kanadanmajava1)
05/05/2017 at 05:22, STARS: 3
One of my friends imported one of these late ones from Poland to Finland. He couldn’t register it though as it didn’t meet all of the technical regulations that were mandatory. He did know this beforehand, but he wanted to have one despite this little problem. I think he has stored it somewhere to wait for better times.
"RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars" (rallydarkstrike)
05/05/2017 at 05:36, STARS: 2
You actually DON’T want one of the rover engines from what I’ve heard...? At least from what I’ve discussed with Borsuq (who lives In Poland).
I forget exactly as it was awhile ago (I’ve also considered importing a Polonez Caro from the early 90's pre-Daewoo-takeover! :D ) and Borsuq was telling me people hated the Rover engines because they had a strange set-up where there were no bolts for the oil pan and cylinder head as you’d normally think, but instead very long (and fragile) bolts that passed the entire way from the head to the pan that sandwiched everything together. Also the aluminium heads were prone to warping if they overheated slightly...?
He got the info out of a VERY extensive book he has on the Polonez (I forget the title though as it’s in Polish!)
"Jobjoris" (Jobjoris)
05/05/2017 at 05:41, STARS: 1
I can imagine, Poland wasn’t a real EU Country back then already was it? We had ‘m in the Netherlands as well, catalyzed and all. He should have gotten it here, if there is any left. Our Dutch importer even had ‘m racing.
"CodyVella" (codyvella)
05/05/2017 at 05:46, STARS: 1
LOVE all the info I’m getting here. Not sure what engines were offered but I want a Polonez with the four circle headlights, whenever that was offered until. I was told to look out for a Polonez with the Fiat powerplant as those were the most reliable. However, I love a challenge. Would also love whatever 2.0L made its way into the Group B version of the car.
"RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars" (rallydarkstrike)
05/05/2017 at 05:52, STARS: 0
(I should clarify Borsuq lives in Poland and owns a FIAT 126p, but knows quite a bit about Polish rides,)
Yes, the 1.5L and 1.6L FIAT-based engines are the most reliable, but as they are based on older FIAT engines, they do require far more frequent maintenance (I forget the intervals though).
"Jobjoris" (Jobjoris)
05/05/2017 at 05:52, STARS: 0
Haha, you didn’t want that Rover engine if you didn’t want to go deaf as in the interior it was all but quiet. That would probably bother me more than those bolts ;-) It’s an English developed engine so I can imagine one running into difficulties there. They also were available with Ford 2.0 (110hp) for a while, that’s probably the safest option if you fear technical failures.
"Jobjoris" (Jobjoris)
05/05/2017 at 05:53, STARS: 1
It was available with a Ford 2.0 for a while as well...
"kanadanmajava1" (kanadanmajava1)
05/05/2017 at 05:53, STARS: 1
That looks quite good with fast looking wheels and the cage.
I think my friend got it dirt cheap from Poland. It’s not his only FSO as he has the president of the Finnish FSO club (yeah, we actually have such).
"pip bip - choose Corrour" (hhgttg69)
05/05/2017 at 06:12, STARS: 1
only ever seen one in my life
"Klaus Schmoll" (klausschmoll)
05/05/2017 at 06:15, STARS: 1
I remember seeing them in Poland in the 80s. Even though they are basically a Fiat/Lada in a fancy suit, they looked so much more modern at the time. So much more contemporary and Western than what was for sale in the GDR.
"CodyVella" (codyvella)
05/05/2017 at 06:16, STARS: 1
I’m more than okay with frequent maintenance intervals as I’ve had to live with a Porsche 944 (timing belt every year “just to be safe?”).
"RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars" (rallydarkstrike)
05/05/2017 at 06:54, STARS: 1
Bah, noise just adds character! :D
As for the Ford engines, they would be a good option, but I believe they were quite uncommon compared to the FIAT and Rover units in terms of production :(
"RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars" (rallydarkstrike)
05/05/2017 at 06:55, STARS: 0
Finnish FSO Club? I like the cut of your jib gentlemen :P
"RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars" (rallydarkstrike)
05/05/2017 at 06:59, STARS: 0
I can’t remember if they offered them early enough to be on the quad-headlight models, but if so, you might want to go for the Lucas brake option....much better braking all around with that. Pretty easy to identify as as the cars with the Lucas brake kits had a dual-reservoir brake cylinder and the normal systems only had a single-reservoir system.
"Jobjoris" (Jobjoris)
05/05/2017 at 07:08, STARS: 1
Those Ford engines were used in Sierras and Scorpios no worries there!
"RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars" (rallydarkstrike)
05/05/2017 at 07:32, STARS: 1
Yup, finding parts would be easy for them....the question is finding a Polonez that was fitted with one as they are comparitively rare!
"Jobjoris" (Jobjoris)
05/05/2017 at 07:55, STARS: 1
Last time I saw an FSO at all must be quite some moons ago: No idea!
"RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars" (rallydarkstrike)
05/05/2017 at 08:14, STARS: 0
You’re still beating me then! :P
"RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars" (rallydarkstrike)
05/05/2017 at 15:13, STARS: 0
I should also mention that Borsuq as said another problem with the rover engines were that the drivetrain was a bit strained with them, especially diffs.
The diffs were often a bit of a weak point in the Polonez (somewhat improved in the later Caro though) and the increased power of the Rover engine from the 1.5/1.6L FIAT-derived engines didn’t help.