Hal Heindel
11-21-2008, 08:06 AM
Today, the last Yugo, once the pride of communist Yugoslavia’s automobile industry, will roll off its Serbian production line in the central town of Kragujevac. It will be missed in Serbia — though probably not in America.
“Yugo was never a BMW or a Cadillac, but I think most Americans didn't know how to appreciate it,” said Momcilo Spajic, a proud Serbian owner of a Yugo — one of the nearly 800,000 produced since 1980. “This is driving in its most natural form. You feel every bump, squeak and jolt, and one can enjoy the sweet smell of gasoline and exhaust fumes,” he said. “No car can replace it.”
Although it was a flop in the U.S., Yugo enjoyed iconic status in the former Yugoslav republics — something like the Volkswagen Beetle in West Germany or the Trabant in East Germany. As Zastava’s workers prepared to bid farewell to their greatest commercial success so far, they have attached a handwritten sign on the tailgate of the last Yugo on the production line. It reads: “Cao, nema vise” — “Goodbye, no more.”
A few of the best-known Yugo jokes:
— Why does a Yugo have a defroster on the rear window? To keep your hands warm while you push it.
— What do you call a Yugo’s shock absorbers? Passengers.
— How do you double the value of a Yugo? Fill the gas tank!
— The new Yugo has an air bag. Before an accident, start pumping real fast.
— How do you stop a Yugo with just one finger? Push in the cigarette lighter.
— What do you call a Yugo at the top of a hill? A miracle.
— Man to car dealer: “I’d like a gas cap for my Yugo.” Dealer: “Sounds like a fair trade.”
“Yugo was never a BMW or a Cadillac, but I think most Americans didn't know how to appreciate it,” said Momcilo Spajic, a proud Serbian owner of a Yugo — one of the nearly 800,000 produced since 1980. “This is driving in its most natural form. You feel every bump, squeak and jolt, and one can enjoy the sweet smell of gasoline and exhaust fumes,” he said. “No car can replace it.”
Although it was a flop in the U.S., Yugo enjoyed iconic status in the former Yugoslav republics — something like the Volkswagen Beetle in West Germany or the Trabant in East Germany. As Zastava’s workers prepared to bid farewell to their greatest commercial success so far, they have attached a handwritten sign on the tailgate of the last Yugo on the production line. It reads: “Cao, nema vise” — “Goodbye, no more.”
A few of the best-known Yugo jokes:
— Why does a Yugo have a defroster on the rear window? To keep your hands warm while you push it.
— What do you call a Yugo’s shock absorbers? Passengers.
— How do you double the value of a Yugo? Fill the gas tank!
— The new Yugo has an air bag. Before an accident, start pumping real fast.
— How do you stop a Yugo with just one finger? Push in the cigarette lighter.
— What do you call a Yugo at the top of a hill? A miracle.
— Man to car dealer: “I’d like a gas cap for my Yugo.” Dealer: “Sounds like a fair trade.”