FSO Syrena History

First shown at the Poznań Trade Fair in 1955, the Syrena (Polish for 'mermaid' — the symbol of Warsaw) entered mass production on 20 March 1957 as FSO's attempt at a smaller, more affordable companion to the Warszawa. Unlike the Warszawa, it was a Polish-conceived design rather than a foreign licence, though it relied on two-stroke engines of two and later three cylinders.

A succession of variants followed — the 100, 101, 102, 103, and 104 — before the Syrena 105 became the most popular iteration. Commercial derivatives included a van (Bosto) and a pickup (R20). A coupé (Syrena Sport) and hatchback (Syrena 110) were designed but never reached production.

In 1972 FSO transferred Syrena production to the newly established Fabryka Samochodów Małolitrażowych (FSM) in Bielsko-Biała, where it continued until 30 April 1983. FSO itself built 177,234 Syrenas; FSM added a further 344,077, for a combined total of 521,311.