UK Edition
UK’s rarest cars: 1987 Yugo 513, one of only two left on British roads
Along with Eastern Bloc-made Ladas and Skodas, cars from the former Yugoslavia were derided yet their only crime was being cheap transport
For rather too long, the Yugo range of cars produced in what is now part of Serbia has been subject to jokes that even Mike and Bernie Winters would have rejected as too puerile. Nevertheless, during the 1980s, they were a common sight, populating the car parks of many a provincial shopping centre and providing cheap transport to many thousands of British drivers. The 101 version also continued in production until as recently as 2008, yet today Ian Macaulay’s 513 from 1987 is probably one of only two examples remaining on the road.
In 1954 the Zastava company of the former Yugoslavia signed an agreement with Fiat to build the Italian firm’s 1400 and 1100B under licence. Local versions of the 600 and the 1300/1500 followed, and in 1971 production commenced of the 101 “Skala”.
The factory at Kragujevac initially planned to make a version of the venerable Fiat 124 until a trade delegation saw a prototype of a 128 hatchback when visiting Turin in 1969 and preferred the much newer design.
Zastava was not able to sell its products in countries where Fiat built or assembled cars – a rule that did not apply to the UK. Imports of the 1100/1300 commenced via Zastava Cars (GB) Ltd of Reading in 1981; the Yugoslavian ambassador was a guest of honour at the launch party.
Autocar thought the flagship XL-E was competitively priced at £3,262, especially as it boasted five doors, although “if the buyer can be content with three there are undoubtedly better cars available”.
Despite such cavils, the Zastava did attract budget-conscious drivers who might otherwise have contemplated a second-hand Ford Cortina 1.3L or the like.
By 1984, the importer used the Yugo badge and rebranded the 1100/1300 as the 311/313/511/513. What Car? evaluated the last-named in 1985 and preferred it to the FSO Polonez, Lada Riva 1500 and Skoda 120 Estelle – “the only one of the four to have any remotely contemporary feel to it”. Moreover, the price of £3,299 did at least include the decadence of a lockable petrol cap.
Zastava GB ceased trading in 1993 due to the Balkans Conflict, and the number of British vehicles soon plummeted. In Macaulay’s words: “Unfortunately, low resale values meant major repairs were financially unviable, so most examples were scrapped for often no more than the price of a new clutch.
“Survivors are now scarce; the smaller 45/55/65 are a little more plentiful but even so are no longer a common sight.”
He came by this example in August 2011 when he was the magazine editor of the former Zastava Yugo Club UK.
As Macaulay recalls: “A Shropshire garage that supplied the car to an elderly customer in 1987 contacted the club. They had subsequently repurchased it when he gave up driving. It covered 9,200 miles in the previous 24 years and claimed to be in ‘as new condition’.”
Naturally, he could not resist buying the 513, noting: “Cosmetically and structurally, the car was showroom fresh, but required a fair amount of mechanical recommissioning. Most of the rubber components needed replacement – tyres, steering and driveshaft gaiters, brake hoses, timing belt et cetera.”
Unfortunately, in 2013 circumstances obliged Macaulay to sell the Yugo to the self-confessed “collector of unloved cars” Julian Pearson, who featured in The Telegraph in December 2016.
But in September 2019 it re-joined the fleet (“By that time, the mileage had risen to just 9,800” says Macaulay). The 513 attended last year’s Hagerty Festival of the Unexceptional, where it naturally caused a sensation.
As for the Yugo’s reputation, he points out: “In times past, they often met with derision, as did the budget offerings from Lada, Skoda and Polski-Fiat. But today, my car attracts positive attention wherever it goes.
“Its firm suspension and direct steering give a similar driving experience to a classic Mini but with more room and the benefit of a hatchback. Contrary to popular belief, Zastava’s products weren’t rot boxes and were little worse than anything else of the time, albeit built down to a price with flimsy fixtures and fittings and cheap plastic interiors.”
And 41 years ago, who would not be tempted by the offer to “Fill in the Ticket to Ride coupon below and take it to your nearest Zastava dealer”?
Thanks to: Ian Macaulay.
For new and used buying guides, tips and expert advice, visit our Advice section, or sign up to our newsletter here
To talk all things motoring with the Telegraph Cars team join the Telegraph Motoring Club Facebook group here