The World Bids Farewell to the Yugo
In a bit of sad news, the last Yugo rolled off the production line in Serbia last month. Serbian automaker Zastava, producer of the Yugo, closed its doors to revamp operations in a joint venture with its new owner, Italian automaker Fiat. Once the pride of Yugoslavia's automobile industry, the Yugo will be missed in Serbia, but certainly not in the United States. [source]

Zastava builds the final Yugo
"Cao, nema više" reads the piece paper affixed to the tailgate of the red Serbian hatchback, as a small throng of proud workers gathered around the car to bid it "Goodbye, no more" this week. After a 20-year run, the last Zastava Koral, #794,428, quietly made its way to the Zastava museum and the scrappy Eastern European automaker has wound down production on all but one of its models. The very last Zastava, a Skala 55, will be the last of its kind when it makes its way down the production line...

2008 Belgrade Auto Show: Zastava Skala 55 (a.k.a. the Yugo)
Click above for more pics of the Zastava Skala 55The Easter holiday is a time of rebirth, and we can't think of a better automotive resurrection to celebrate than the Zastava Skala 55. Haven't heard of the Skala 55? Sure you have! It was sold here in the United States as the Yugo GV, and summarily tarred and feathered for being a $3,900 brand new car. Let's avoid an epic fight about the past and focus on why we're so jazzed that the rebuilt Zastava factory is still turning out these crisply styled...