I own the ‘worst car in history' that's comically cheap from 80s but I LOVE it – I can't wait for its dramatic comeback
The car could be set for a comeback despite its reputation
UGLY TRUCKLING I own the 'worst car in history' that's comically cheap from 80s but I LOVE it – I can't wait for its dramatic comeback
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
AN OWNER of a ridiculously cheap car from the 1980s considered to be the 'worst in history' says he actually loves it.
The Yugo 45 was a small car that was built in the former Yugoslavia and picked up the unfortunate moniker over the years.
Sign up for Scottish Sun
newsletter
Sign up
8
Despite its faults Allan Smyes loves his Yugo 45
Credit: Allan Smyes
8
Allan hopes the car will make a successful comeback when the car gets relaunched
Credit: Allan Smyes
8
Allan says the interior is like a Caramac bar
Credit: Allan Smyes
Allan Smyes, 50, picked up his model five years ago and is now hoping the vehicle will make a dramatic comeback as Yugo Automobile is set for a relaunch before the end of the decade.
Allan, who lives just outside York, is the proud owner of a 1988 Zastava Yugo 45.
The model was first available in 1981 and cost around £3,000 at the time.
It's cheap price meant it undercut it main rivals like the Austin Mini Metro, Ford Fiesta and the Vauxhall Nova.
It was known for its low quality construction, safety concerns and reliability issues, making it the cheapest car between 1981 and 1991.
However, this affordability still did not enable the Yugo to become a successful or popular car for the long run.
In the initial years it was available in the UK, Zastava sold around 3,000 models every year, going on to sell tens of thousands, largely due to the low cost.
Around 794,428 Yugos in total were produced, but only a fraction of these were sold in Britain.
By 2018, just 19 remained on the road, according to official registrations data.
The car might not be such a rare sight on British roads for too much longer.
Mike Brewer Predicts a £10,000 Future for the Audi TT
The return of the vehicle comes as part of a project by Serbian university professor, Dr Alekasandar Bjelić, who hopes to bring the car back to the market for 2027.
Dr Bjelić is linked to the automotive industry in Germany, and unveiled his 1:5-scale vision for what the Yugo could look like soon.
This new design for the Yugo was debuted at the Car Design Event 2025 in Munich.
It included stylish compact car features such as slim LED lights on the front and rear, along with large alloy wheels.
A fully working prototype of the new Yugo is expected to be shown at the Belgrade Expo in 2027.
On top of that, Bjelić said it would be initially sold as an "affordable" two-door model, adding that there is potential for "different body versions" to follow.
Affordability of the new Yugo is hoped to be facilitated by introducing the vehicle a petrol engine, and choice of manual or automatic gearboxes.
Yugo Automobile did add: "electrified versions are possible."
8
DVLA records show just seven remain on the road today
Credit: Facebook / Carole Nash Inside Classics
8
Despite it's bad reputation it could be relaunched before the end of the decade
Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
8
The Zastava Yugo 45 has been branded the 'worst car in history'
Credit: Getty
With this project, Yugo are teasing a "fun-to-drive car" that "meets all relevant safety standards," hinting it will use a shared platform borrowed from a "cooperation partner".
Allan told This is Money: 'It would be great if the name does return - I think it's a brilliant idea.
'Look at what Renault has done recently with the 5. Even when they've turned it electric it's been a huge success.
'The new Yugo could do the same. It looks really quirky and will be totally different to the cars on the market at the moment.'
Despite the car being branded as the 'worst car in history' Allan still believes the car can be a success.
He said that if the vehicle manages to keep the same characteristics of the original then drivers will appreciate it as a cheap form of motoring, but added that will depend on just how well built it is.
Allan added that the car manages to attract lots of attention whenever he goes out in it, which he admitted isn't that often.
He added that while you don't see them on the roads anymore, everyone still remembers them and wants to tell him about friends or family who owned one.
Asked if the original Yugo warranted the dreadful reputation it had gained, he said that in the 1980s he probably would have agreed with that assessment but now that he was the owner of one he could appreciate it for what it is.
He said that the car offered a no frills, basic form of transport and that people expected too much from them.
Despite saying it was clunky and poorly built he said he still loved his model.
The interior décor of Allan's car is caramel with him saying it looked like a Caramac bar, adding it's 'glorious but in an awful way'.
BADLY MADE
The Yugo was notoriously badly made with the bodykit simply riveted onto the bottom of the bumper, meaning that it flaps around if its picking up speed.
Not that it can go fast. Allan said it can reach 70mph at a push but it only has a four-speed gearbox.
Although he added while it's comfortable doing 60mph it's best not to go much faster and warned you wouldn't want to hit anything.
UK imports of the car stopped in 1991 due to the start of the Yugoslav civil war, with dealers at the time offloading models for just £2,795, around £8,600 today.
By then it had become renowned for being rudimentary, poorly engineered and ugly.
Just how bad the car was, was outlined in the book "The Yugo: The Rise and Fall of the Worst Car in History' by Jason Vuic.
He wrote: 'Six months after its American introduction in 1985, the Yugo had become a punch line; within a year, it was a staple of late-night comedy.'
Allan, who works in the motor trade buying and selling cars, is also a keen collector, preferring motors with a bit of a difference.
Among his collection is a Skoda Estelle, a couple of Metros, two Rover 75s, a Talbot Alpine, a Peugeot 106, a Vauxhall Cavalier and a Citroen BX.
In total, he said he had about 25 cars to his name but the Yugo remained one of his favourites.
Thanks to its basic design, if anything goes wrong he can fix it himself and so far, it has been reliable.
8
The Zastava Yugo is making a comeback with an 80s-inspired supermini
Credit: Instagram
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
5 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Ten family car favourites from 70s to 90s and their value today – from iconic Ford worth THOUSANDS to budget Vauxhall
Read on to see if you have had one of these motors HIT THE ROAD Ten family car favourites from 70s to 90s and their value today – from iconic Ford worth THOUSANDS to budget Vauxhall Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SEVERAL iconic family favourite vehicles from the last three decades have a new worth today. From the Ford to Vauxhall, these cars that were once common among British families in the 1970s, '80s and '90s still have value in 2025. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 9 The Austin Allegro was a popular family motor in the 1970s and early '80s 9 British families also favoured a generation of the Ford Escort, like this blue Mk2 model 9 The Reliant Scimitar GTE came as a two door coupe classic motor car for the 70s Credit: Alamy Austin Allegro (1973-1982) Value today: £1,200 (Allegro 1.0 saloon) to £7,600 (Allegro Equipe, concours condition) The Allegro was one of the popular vehicle choices for car buyers with families, as well as being company vehicles for employers. In typical shades of Russet brown and Applejack green of the seventies, the Allegro brings a nostalgia. This is despite its known maladies as a vehicle in the contemporary world, and even back in the day. They have been justified to be a worthy classic car and collector item, due not only to the Austin brand, but also its unique Hydragas suspension and style. Editor of the UK Hagerty Price Guide, John Mayhead, has witnessed the steady rise in value of all Austin Allegro variants over the past decade whilst monitoring the value of classic cars in auction prices and policyholder quotes. He said: "Last year, only 7 per cent of all models in the Hagerty Price Guide rose in value." Ford Escort Mk2 - Mk4 (1974 - 1990) Value today: £600 (Mk 4 Escort L) to £93,600 (Escort Mk 2 RS1800, concours) From the late 1960s up to the 2000s, families in Britain were likely to have one of the five generations of Ford Escorts. Children could enjoy riding in the back of these vehicles, whether in the lower trimmed Mk2 or more spacious and utilitarian third and fourth generations. Classic car graveyard found in field where a 1960s classic with rare feature worth up to $150K has been left to rot The Mk3 and Mk4 had a transverse engine layout, with a hatchback style rather than saloon. Models ranged from three and five-door hatches, as well as cabrio or sport versions with the XR3, XR3i, and RS1600i variants. To this day, there's still a lot to admire about the Escort, particularly with the Fast Ford racing and performance versions. They are highly collectable with a thriving club scene, and base models can still be found for cheap at around £3,000. Reliant Scimitar (1975 - 1986) Value today: £3,300 to £9,000 (GTE SE5a) The Reliant Scimitar GTE was an attractive choice of vehicle for those wanting something more exciting than a saloon or estate, but also looking for practicality. It became a performance motor offering a four-seat layout to appear as a family car too. In addition to the layout, the GTE provides a glass hatchback and proper boot, fibreglass body more durable against rust and well-proven Ford mechanics. Cost around £2,300 in 1973, the GTE became a viable cheaper alternative to something like an Audi 100 or 3.0-litre Granada GXL. Since last year, the Scimitar GTE has seen a slight dip in value, but remained relatively stagnant since 2016. John adds that some have been restored to a very high standard: "Lots of very cheap restoration cases available, but not for the faint-hearted." Austin Montego (1984 - 1995) Value today: £800 (Montego 1.3 saloon) to £11,000 (MG Montego Turbo, concours) Montegos have been considered the "most ordinary" of vehicles, but were certainly among the most popular of its time. A solid family car by Austin that had built its reputation for decades, Specifically, as a blue saloon built in 1989, they could regularly be seen parked in driveways or out on roads. Whilst they where just about everywhere in the 1980s, they became almost extinct by the 1990s. The Montego has increased in value as a vehicle model in 2025, following a flat period. 9 2.3 million Citroen BXs were built during its 12-year history between 1982 and 1994 Credit: Getty 9 Renault Espace Mk1 was an MPV perfect for large families in the '90s Credit: Renault 9 The Volkswagen Golf Mk 2 has been a classic German car in Britain Credit: Alamy Citroen BX (1982 - 1994) Value today: £900 (S1 1.4 hatchback) to £10,100 (BX Sport, concours) This French saloon spanned the years of 1982 to 1994, with a styling that became a major success. The BX's lineup of XUD four-cylinders were among the best frugal diesels of the '80s. Whilst demand for the Citroen BX was not exceptionally high in the UK, the model reached great heights in France. A well-preserved 1992 BX 16S even sold for over €47,000 in 2021. Renault Espace Mk1 (1984 - 1991) Value today: £1,100 to £12,400 (Turbo D) Despite famously being a flop when first released for sale in 1984, the Espace soon became a European favourite as parents recognised its value. With several back seats, it was one of the easiest cars for loading kids in the back, who were able to thereby see through the vehicle's large glass windows. Families warmed up to this Renault's bold box shape, following 12 months of struggle for sales of this multi-purpose vehicle. John suggested: "Early versions of this groundbreaking vehicle are beginning to become very collectable. "Now rare in any configuration, they are not expensive cars and if you can find one, a fair runner could be under £2,000." Best used cars for family holidays £5,000 to £9,999 - Suzuki S-Cross (2013 to 2020) £10,000 to £14,999 - Toyota RAV4 (2012 to 2018) £15,000 to £19,999 - Kia XCeed (2019 to present) £20,000 to £24,999 - Hyundai Tucson (2021 to present) £25,000 to £29,999 - Citroen C5 Aircross (2018 to present) £30,000 to £34,999 - BMW X1 (2022 to present) £35,000 and upwards - Skoda Kodiaq (2024 to present) Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk2 (1983 - 1992) Value today: £900 (Driver) to £23,800 (GTI 16v) The VW Golf GTI Mk2 was an exciting release for car-loving families, coming with five doors and more space for practical and better riding. It was a reliable car too with its Volkswagen reputation, better fuel economy and improved comfort. It was also capable of reaching more than 130mph. John said: "For a long time, Mk 2 Golf values lagged far behind their Mk 1 predecessors, especially in the iconic GTI configuration, but in the last couple of years, they have gained ground. "There's a lot of love for this model, and although prices are down a little from their 2023 high, the general trend has been growth for the past 12 years." Ford Mondeo Mk1 (1993 - 2000) Value today: £800 (first-generation 1.6) to £8,500 (ST220) After their release in 1993, Mondeos became a common sight on roads through the mid-90s. They served as private motors, company vehicles, police cars, trade workhorses, and even appeared in the British Touring Car Championship. "Excluding motorsport variants, the Mondeo is a very affordable classic with even performance versions being available for under £5,000," John said. They are likely to become increasingly collectable as first generation cars that are more of a rarity. Rover 75 (1999 - 2005) Value today: £900 (2.0 CDTi) to £16,100 (MG ZT, concours) The Rover 75 featured a retro design both internally and externally, providing class and comfort, more than image or rock-hard suspension. Popular particularly among the older enthusiasts, the 75 has not seen a major decline in customers since first releasing in 1999. It is a car that is greatly designed for the pothole-riddled roads of Britain, known for its toughness and rarity. The model has therefore not seen much of a change to its value, holding their price as many other classics are dropping. Vauxhall Zafira A (1999 - 2005) Value today: £550 (1.6 Base) to £7000 (1.8 Elegance, concours) Sales of this smaller MPV skyrocketed after being put on the market. As a seven-seater hatchback, it was a clever car with fine driving characteristics, and based on the Astra G platform. Today, they are rare to find in good condition. 9 Austin Montegos where almost everywhere in the '80s Credit: Getty 9 The Rover 75 model took a top award as Car of the Year for 1999 Credit: PA:Press Association
Scottish Sun
11 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Dartford Crossing charge to rise by 40 per cent in September – check how much you'll now have to pay
It has been nine years since the toll prices were last raised TAKING ITS TOLL Dartford Crossing charge to rise by 40 per cent in September – check how much you'll now have to pay Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE Dartford Crossing is set to become more expensive to use in just a couple of months time. The crossing - which was known as the Dartford Tunnel until 1991 - is made up of two tunnels and the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge and carries a charge for many who use it. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 The cost of using the Dartford Crossing is set to rise in a matter of weeks Credit: PA Used by around 180,000 cars every day the cost of using the crossing will rise from £2.50 to £3.50 on September 1, marking the first price increase since 2014. Transport Secretary, Lilian Greenwood, explained the toll increase was necessary in order to manage the almost 200,000 vehicles that use it everyday. "I am aware that these necessary changes to the charges will be unwelcome news for users of the crossing," she said in a statement to parliament. "These traffic levels are well in excess of the crossing's design capacity, causing delays for drivers." Buses, coaches, vans and other commercial vehicles with two axles will pay up to £4.20 when the new fees kick in, while vehicles with more than two axles will have to pay up to £8.40. The Transport Minister promised "significant" discounts on the tolls for people living locally and car drivers with prepaid accounts. "I am aware that these necessary changes to the charges will be unwelcome news for users of the Crossing," Greenwood said in her stament. "I have been determined to keep the nominal fee paid by local people as low as possible, as many rely on the Crossing to get around their local area." She added that drivers who live in Dartford or Thurrock and who have signed up to the Scheme will pay £25 for unlimited annual crossings from September 1, which is a small increase from the current annual fee. Greenwood argued: "The new charges will be significantly lower than if they had increased in line with inflation since the tariff was last fully revised in 2014." Traffic chaos as 'protesters' climb bridge with warnings of huge delays during morning rush hour The charges at the Dartford Crossing vary depending on the type of vehicle being driven and if the driver already has an account set up on the website. The fees are often referred to as the Dart Charge. Since the tollbooths at the Dartford Crossing have been removed, the charge can be paid on the website. 3 Charges must be settled by midnight the day after crossing but can also be paid in advance. The government website can be used to pay the Dart Charge and to set up an account to make future payments easier and cheaper. Users can also use the service to pay or challenge a fine, as well as check which crossings they have paid for.
Scottish Sun
11 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Inside minuscule EV with top speed of 56mph that costs just £21k – it's the perfect travel companion for summer
It could also be upgraded to a special package with extra perks POCKET ROCKET Inside minuscule EV with top speed of 56mph that costs just £21k – it's the perfect travel companion for summer Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A FOUR-WHEELED electric bubble car manufactured by a Swiss company makes the perfect companion for a seaside trip. Micro, the maker of the adorable quadricycles, has unveiled a new Spiaggina version last year. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Spiaggina can reach a top speed of 56mph Credit: Top Gear 4 The car comes in two colours Credit: Top Gear 4 It sports vegan leather seats inside which are moisture-resistant Credit: Top Gear Spiaggina is the latest version of Microlino, a tiny battery-powered bubble car introduced in 2022. The microcar sports a 17bhp e-motor and can reach a top speed of 56mph. Spiaggina comes in two colours, reminiscent of Italian seaside towns - Portofino Blue and Sardinia Sage. If you'd like to enjoy a sea breeze during your drive, the quadricycle can lose its rear and side windows while the canvas roof can be removed entirely. The minuscule EV is equipped with a front-opening door and externally mounted headlights as well as a trunk. Inside, it features a simplistic but elegant design with vegan leather seats in a two-tone colour. The seat material is the same as the one often used in sailing yachts which means it's moisture-resistant too. With a 10.5kWh battery, the Spiaggina can survive up to 110 miles without recharge. Once out of juice, it only takes four hours at a home socket to regain its battery entirely. Microlino will also offer Cool and Connect package which includes a climate control system, a smartphone holder and a Bluetooth speaker. Iconic 90s Ferrari Jeremy Clarkson dubbed the 'greatest car in the world, ever' up for sale for eye-watering price The price for the Cool and Connect package is yet to be revealed. But The Spaggiana in its mid-range spec is currently available for £21,377. It comes after the Swiss firm's micro motors hit the UK streets last year. The manufacturer also plans to partner with major city authorities such as Transport for London to bring entire fleets of Microlinos to be hired, just like electric scooters and bicycles. Swiss inventor Wim Ouboter started creating Micro Scooters 25 years ago and transformed the way people get around. Since 1997, Ouboter's family-owned Micro Mobility Systems business has sold more than 50 million scooters in 30 varying models and generated over £600m.
