1977 FSO Syrena 105L review from UK and Ireland

Electrics started to malfunction due to corroded connectors/loose cables/etc. These faults were fixed when I rewired most of the car (easy job).

Being a 2-stroke, it can be tricky to start in the cold - during winter I usually cover the engine with an old carpet during the night.

Otherwise this car has been totally reliable for me. It's very, very simple, so nothing much goes wrong, and it was built to last for many years in Polish weather and bad road conditions.

I first saw a Syrena in Dublin around 3 years ago. I didn't know what it was until I had a chat with the owner. He said to think of it as a "Polish Trabant".

On a trip to Gdansk (Poland) in late July 2004, I found one for sale and had to have it. I drove it back here and it never once skipped a beat. So I am told there are only 2 or 3 other examples in Ireland.

I love driving this car, though it isn't something for people who don't want to get noticed. When I race down the street people turn their heads to see what the noise is all about. I even gave a ride to two Polish girls I know!!! The Dres Boys (i.e: Polish chavs) are certainly not impressed!!!

It is surprisingly quick for what it is, and despite the vague steering and heavy brakes, it always puts a smile on my face. Nice and cosy in winter thanks to its very powerful heater.

Overall, I'll keep this car forever, for that's exactly what they were intended for. Some people like Mercedes, some like BMWs, and so on. I like my cars to be as simple as possible, and the Syrena has just about everything I need in a car... added to a lot of character.