Poland's First Post-WWII Car Produced Under Soviet Era on Display Near Warsaw
The first car produced in Poland under the Soviet era after World War II was exhibited last Friday near Warsaw, after being located in Finland following decades of research and obtained through lengthy negotiations.
The 1951 Warszawa M-20, a relic of Poland's post-war subordination to the Soviet communist regime, bears the serial number 000001, which it wore when it left the FSO passenger car factory in Warsaw on November 6 of the same year, exactly 73 years ago.
Initially, the car was handed over to Soviet Marshal Konstantin Rokossovsky, Poland's post-war Defense Minister, to assert the country's dependence on Moscow. It was later found in the possession of the family of Finnish rally driver Rauno Aaltonen, although its history in between remains unclear.
According to Zbigniew Mikiciuk, co-founder of the private Otrebusy museum, it took over two years of negotiations to acquire the car from its Finnish owners.
Additionally, the museum is also showcasing a Volvo used by Polish communist leader General Wojciech Jaruzelski, known for imposing martial law in 1981.
