RIP Yugo

The Yugo is no more, sadly. We take a moment to remember the best car ever to come out of communist Yugoslavia...

...Amen.

Q: So, what do you call the shock absorbers inside a Yugo?

A: Passengers.

Q: How do you double the value of a Yugo?

A: Fill the tank with gas [or] put a gallon of milk in the back seat.

Ok, the death of a beloved car is no joking matter, like the death of a pet fish, but without the need for a shoebox or "burial at sea." Alas, not even the Yugo could make the beancounters at Fiat issue a stay of execution. Since the Italians got hold of Serbia's Zastava car factory (last redoubt of the Yugo), the company announced that it will stop production of the Yugo in favor of a new car, the Punto.

So, it is a sad day for communist-era car lovers.

As Igor writes, I think that "Momcilo Spajic, a proud Serbian owner of a Yugo" captures the essence of what the Yugo was -- and will remain in our memories (For the record: my family never owned, but I have had the privilege to be a passages on several occasions. I made it, barely.)

"This is driving in its most natural form. You feel every bump, squeak and jolt, and one can enjoy the sweet smell of gasoline and exhaust fumes," he said. "No car can replace it."

Alas, if you really can't let go of the Yugo, then we offer the BBC's investigative report from Serbia: Pimp My Yugo.