Zastava Skala (pronounced [ˈzâːstaʋa ˈskǎːla]), also known as Yugo Skala (pronounced [ˈjûɡo ˈskǎːla]), is a generic name for a family of cars built by Serbian manufacturer Zastava Automobili. Based on a Fiat 128 sedan, it was introduced in 1971 and sold as Zastava (Yugo) 128 with a restyled rear panel. Later it became available as a 3 or 5-door liftback, a style that had not been issued in Italy, under the names Zastava 101, Zastava 1100, Zastava 1300 and Zastava GTL.
In its domestic market, the Zastava 101 was widely known by the nicknames "Stojadin" (pronounced [stoˈjǎdin], a male name, from the similarity with Serbo-Croatian for 101, "sto jedan") and (in Slovenia) "Stoenka" ("101-ette").
In the final years of production, the Zastava Skala was available in a single trim level: the 55-horsepower, 1.1-liter, 5-door Skala 55. In 2008, a new Skala could be purchased for just under 4,000 euros, undercutting the Zastava Koral (an ameliorated Yugo).
Production of the Zastava Skala continued for some time after the discontinuation of the Zastava 128. The Skala features a fifth door, making it impressively functional at this price level. Drop the rear seat and cargo space increases from 325 to 1,010 liters.
Due to its practicality and robustness, and thanks in no small part to its low price, the Skala 55 continued to sell well in Serbia until the end of production in 2008. 1,273,532 have been built since 1971.
Zastava in late 2007 estimated that the Skala 55 was the world's second most-affordable car at the time.
The Skala 55 first emerged on 15 October 1971 as the Zastava (YUGO) 101 (internationally, the Zastava 1100 or 311/ 313/ 511/ 513). Derived from Italy's Fiat 128, which Zastava also produced (Zastava 128), the 101 added a practical fifth door.
Arriving a full three years before Fiat's own 128 3P and Volkswagen's Golf, the 101 was among the very first hatchbacks with engine and gearbox located astride each other.
Front-wheel-drive in an era when most manufacturers were still years away from making the switch, the Zastava YUGO offered excellent space utilization. Independent rear suspension coped well with challenging Eastern European roads, while engines designed by the legendary Aurelio Lampredi worked best at heady rpms.
In 1973, the Zastava YUGO 101 won its class in the 17th international Tour d'Europe rally. The following year, Yugoslav driver J. Paliković was reportedly piloting his 101 faster than his Porsche competition over several stages.
In February 1975, Zastava (YUGO) organized an expedition from its hometown of Kragujevac to Kilimanjaro. Five brand-new, standard Zastava 101 cars and 11 crew members travelled African deserts and savanna, finishing their 45-day expedition on the top of Kilimanjaro. Zastava consequently markets the car as Vozilo uspeha (roughly translated, vehicle of success).
In Poland, the FSO factory produced the Zastava 101 through 1976.
In 1979, 88,918 Zastava (YUGO) 101 models left Kragujevac lines. Two years later, the car had been crowned Yugoslavia's Car of the Decade.
The early '80s saw the 101 become quite popular in the United Kingdom. Advertised under the slogan Go New! Go Yugo!, the 311/ 313/ 511/ 513 is the cheapest new car available to British buyers. In 1984, the range's entry-level model costs less than £2,400, roughly half the price of the equivalent Ford Escort. In order to avoid rust caused by road gritting, hard PVC coating was used throughout the underside, sills and valances.
In 1991, the millionth Zastava (YUGO) Skala was produced.
Visitors to Zastava's or Yugo stand at the 2008 Belgrade Car Show in Belgrade, from 13 to 19 March, might be forgiven a double-take or two. Tucked behind the Zastava Koral and Zastava 10, and the new Florida TDC diesel, was the Skala 55.
Few might remember when this popular entry-level workhorse last saw the bright lights of an exhibition stand.
Several improvements had been made to the event's most affordable car, courtesy Zastava R&D.
Under the hood, a new aluminum radiator had been installed. Underneath, wheel bearings and CV joints were now shared with the Zastava 10.
Behind the wheel was a new instrument cluster, complete with tachometer, glowing in blue and red nuances behind its curvaceous housing. New, softer seats made for an elevated driving position.
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