Vehicles purchased by Autos at the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity auction.
The period of the Polish People's Republic was a time when the Polish automotive industry went through various challenges and changes. Not only did you have to get a voucher for a car, and not, as is the case today, just go in and buy it, but even the food was on the so-called "cards". Due to specific political and economic conditions, the development of this sector was not as dynamic as in Western countries. Nevertheless, Polish car manufacturers and drivers in the times of the Polish People's Republic were extremely creative and were able to adapt to restrictions, creating unique solutions. Who doesn't know such iconic vehicles as Syrena or Fiat 125p or 126p. These cars were mainly found in Polish housing estates. Our company also has a sentiment for these vehicles, after all, it is not without reason that we try to expand the collections of vehicles produced in those times through WOŚP auctions. When it comes to trucks, here we had several unique designs that, interestingly, are still in operation today despite the passage of time.
source: Adobe Stock - Fiat 125p and 126p
The history of Polish trucks dates back to the 1950s. The plants located in Jelcz, Starachowice and Lublin produced their own trucks. They were characterized primarily by durability and reliability, which perfectly matched the needs of the market at that time. Let anyone who doesn't know cars like Jelcz or Star raise their hand. They were used in various branches of transport, from typical cargo transport to passenger transport. Polish trucks were also used in the military and constituted the core of the military vehicle fleet. Many of them were also exported to foreign markets, mainly Middle Eastern countries and Africa.
Vehicles manufactured in Jelcz-Laskowice in Lower Silesia are one of the most famous Polish truck brands. However, the factory began its activity by producing buses, which are probably still remembered with fondness today. Especially the model that was best known as the so-called "cucumber", i.e. Jelcz 043. With a 140 HP engine designed to transport 52 passengers, it traveled the roads between Polish cities for many years. Cucumbers are true legends, we can still see them at work today. Thanks to the involvement of enthusiasts, they were restored and to this day they are on routes during various events, because they still arouse great interest and allow for a sentimental journey. Of course, trucks were a huge production branch of the Jelcz plant. Probably the most famous is the Jelcz 300 series. Subsequent models were created on its basis and were used in various tasks. We could meet them, for example, when extinguishing fires, because a very large number of fire-fighting vehicles were Jelcz. Polish Jelcz were and still are of great importance in the defense industry. They were used in many NATO missions in Afghanistan and the Balkans. To fulfill their role in the operational area, they were subjected to appropriate modifications. Special armor was added, the suspension was strengthened and anti-mine protection was provided. Thanks to their load-bearing capacity, they were irreplaceable in transporting, for example, artillery pieces or ammunition. Soldiers could also be transported to distant places. However, all-wheel drive allowed it to overcome difficult-to-reach places such as swamps or other terrain obstacles. Jelcz trucks are still an important element for today's army, providing the necessary transport capacity and logistic support. Their reliability, versatility and design adapted to operate in difficult conditions make them important tools in today's military operations.
source: Adobe Stock - Star 266 M2 
source: Adobe Stock - Jelcz Star 244
It's time for the most popular model of vehicles produced in our country. Star, because we are talking about them, had impressive lifting capabilities, because they could transport loads weighing up to 10 tons. The production of Star cars was possible thanks to a license agreement concluded with the Austrian manufacturer Steyr. This partnership enabled Poland to develop the production of trucks and delivery vehicles. To this day, many vehicles, e.g. those used by the fire brigade, are based on this brand. The most iconic car models were the Star 266 and Star 660. Star cars are an unforgettable part of the Polish automotive industry. Their reliability, durability and versatility contributed to their popularity both at home and abroad. With the political and economic changes of the 1990s, the Polish truck sector faced new challenges. The introduction of a free market economy opened the door to foreign producers who began to enter the Polish market. In response to this competition, Polish manufacturers had to make efforts to modernize their production plants, improve technology and introduce innovations to their vehicles.
In recent years, Polish production has introduced modern technologies, such as electric or hybrid drive. Let us remember that our country is one of the largest truck markets in Europe. There are factories in Poland that produce brands such as Iveco, Scania, DAF and MAN. Although typically Polish trucks are less important than in the times of the Polish People's Republic and compared to other international manufacturers, they are still present on the market and offer their products to customers. It is worth emphasizing that Polish truck manufacturers, just like the above-mentioned brands, have their own loyal group of customers who appreciate their quality, reliability and tradition.
