Editing FSO Syrena (section)

== History ==
At first, Polish engineers wanted Syrena to have a four-stroke air-cooled engine and a self-supporting chassis. But due to a lack of [[Deep drawing|deep-drawn]] metal parts and cost reductions, the first Syrena 100 cars were supposed to have a wooden bodywork covered with leather-like material. The cars were powered by 2-stroke engines designed by engineer [[Fryderyk Bluemke]]. The first two prototypes of Syrena were made in December 1953. One – with a wooden framework, was constructed by [[Stanisław Panczakiewicz]], while the second, steel-bodied car was made by [[Stanisław Łukaszewicz]]. They met halfway by combining the first car's design with the steel bodywork of the second one (with one exception – the roof remained wooden). By March 1955 FSO had built 5 prototypes of Syrena 100.

In September all of the prototypes took part in an experimental rally covering a distance of 5600&nbsp;km. One of the cars, driven by Karol Pionnier, crashed, revealing the weak structure of the roof. As a result, the engineers decided to use steel instead of wood for this part of the car. One of the prototypes was exhibited at the Poznań Trade Fair in autumn 1955. On 20 March 1957 the mass production of Syrena 100 started.
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=== Syrena 100 ===
[[File:FSO Syrena 100 1960r..jpg|thumb|Syrena 100]]

Syrena 100 was designed by engineers Stanislaw Lukasiewicz, Stanisław Panczakiewicz and Fryderyk Bluemke. The chassis and running gear was copied from the DKW. It was introduced to the public in June 1955 at the 24th Poznań Trade Fair. The car aroused much interest, which prompted the government to put it into production. At first, the production rate was to be 10,000 cars a year. Because of financial reasons, Syrena 100 and the much larger [[FSO Warszawa|Warszawa automobile]] shared many parts. As a result, the Syrena was much heavier than intended (950&nbsp;kg).
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=== Syrena 101 ===
[[File:FSO Syrena 101 in Muzeum Inżynierii Miejskiej in Kraków (2).JPG|thumb|Syrena 101]]
In 1960 Syrena underwent a first, minor modernisation. The improved car had a pneumatic [[Fuel pump (engine)|fuel pump]] and a different type of [[carburetor]]. It also received new twin [[windscreen wiper]]s and a better suspension.
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=== Syrena 102 ===
[[File:Syrena 102.jpg|thumb|right|Syrena 102]]
The Syrena 102, produced in 1962 and 1963, had slightly different body details. The "S" version of this model shared an engine with [[Wartburg_311#Wartburg_312|Wartburg 312]]. Around 150 examples of Syrena 102S were produced.
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=== Syrena 103 ===
[[File:FSO Syrena 103.JPG|thumb|right|Syrena 103 - original painting]]
Syrena 103 (1963–66) had a restyled front and a different engine.
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=== Syrena 104 ===
[[File:Syrena 104.JPG|thumb|Syrena 104]]
The next model lasted from 1966 to 1972. It had a new, three-cylinder engine, a [[Manual transmission#Synchromesh|synchronized gearbox]] and restyled tail lights.
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=== Syrena 105 ===
[[File:FSM Syrena 105 at the Muzeum Inżynierii Miejskiej in Kraków (2).JPG|thumb|left|FSM Syrena 105]]
The 105 was the last Syrena design.<ref name=abc>{{ cite web | url = http://www.abc.se/~m9805/eastcars/syrena/history.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200316105254/https://www.abc.se/~m9805/eastcars/syrena/history.html | archive-date = 2020-03-16 | title = History of Syrena | work = Kent Ekholms webbsidor | first = Jêdrzej | last = Lubicz }}</ref> It was produced from 1972 to 1983 by the [[Fabryka Samochodów Małolitrażowych|FSM factory]] and was badged accordingly.<ref name=abc/> Unlike its predecessors it had regular front doors instead of [[suicide door|"suicide"]] ones. The "Lux" version, produced from 1974, had the gear lever and handbrake between the front seats. The 105 served as a basis for two other models – Syrena R-20, which was a pick-up and a van – Bosto.

[[File:FSM Syrena R20 z 1981 roku.jpg|thumb|1981 FSM Syrena R-20]]
A 1983 FSM Syrena 105L finished in [[yellow]] was featured in series 10 episode 10 of the [[Great Britain|British]] [[television]] program ''[[Wheeler Dealers]]''.  Presenter [[Mike Brewer (television presenter)|Mike Brewer]] purchased the car in Poland for [[Polish złoty|zł]]7,000 (the equivalent of [[Pound sterling|£]]1,400) and drove it back to the show's UK-based workshop where it underwent repairs and upgrades by mechanic [[Edd China]]. The colour was changed to red and white in homage to the Polish flag. Other work included upgrades to the steering box, refurbishing the drum brakes, replacing the dynamo with an alternator and replacing the radio. The total cost of procuring and upgrading the car reached £5454. The completed car was driven to the Polish embassy where ambassador [[Witold Sobków]] took a ride with them. The car was later sold for £8,000 to the [[bubble car]] museum in [[Lincolnshire]].

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