Graphic designer Darko Marcheta from Klek and Professor Aleksandar Bjelic from Germany presented the first drawings of the brand new cars "jugo" and announced the production of a prototype of perhaps the most popular car in the world Yugoslavia.
The drawings are shown on Radio-television of Serbia in the program SAT, editor and presenter Mladen Alvirović.
Professor Bjelic, who lives and works in Germany, with more than three decades of experience in the automotive industry, managed to buy the "jugo" brand after a long legal battle.
His goal is to develop a prototype of the modern "south" by 2027 and present it at the Expo 2027 exhibition in Belgrade.
The plan is for the new "jugo" to be designed according to the latest standards of the modern car industry, preserving the spirit of the original model.
Marcheta's design gave the car a modern and attractive shape while retaining the recognizable lines of the former "jugo" model.
"Grateful for this opportunity, to work on it." I took this as a serious task and I enjoy it, I give myself, with all my heart, to make this look as good as possible and to really drive it tomorrow. I will work on that for the next two years," said Marchetta.
History of the "South"
The first car developed independently at the Car Factory in Kragujevac, "jugo 45", was made by hand on October 2, 1980. In 1981, the Jugo was declared the car of the year in the country. "jugo" was produced in two body versions: standard and cabriolet version.
Since the start of production, over 750.000 vehicles have rolled off the production lines. Among other things, this car was exported to the USA. The first "jugo 55 GB" for export to the USA was produced on September 9, 1985, and a total of 141.511 "jugos" were exported to this country.
The first serial "jugo" from the production lines of Zastava came out on October 2, 1980. Due to its modest price, consumption and dimensions, it was imported to the British market in 1983, and the American market in 1984. The export of the "South" to the USA was called the "opportunity of the decade" during which 3999 cars of this brand were sold in America at a price of 147.000 dollars.
In that America, more precisely in Hollywood, he gained world fame, especially in the films Die Hard and Who Killed Mona, and he "played" many more, although mostly less notable roles. It is still an object of interest to artists and the basis for various installations: jugo toaster, jugo shower cabin, jugo table football...
Ugly to some, beloved to some
You can hear all kinds of things about the "jugo" even today, but the fact is that it left almost no one indifferent, if for no other reason than the fact that for many it is the ugliest car in history.
However, one should not be too harsh on the "South" because for a very long time it was the only car available and there are sure to be few who have never driven in a "South" or know anyone who has.
Many jokes remained behind the "south", which in some cases were not far from the truth. Here are some:
Why does the Jugo have rear window heaters?
- So that those who push it don't get their hands frozen.
What is on the last two pages of the "jug" user manual?
- City transport timetable.
What should you do when your "jugo" boils over?
- Stop pushing him and let him rest.
Now maybe the time has come for Bjelic and Marcheta to change that attitude towards the "south".
