The car that for decades was a symbol of Kragujevac and one of the trademarks of the former Yugoslav automotive industry could finally receive a monument in the city where it was created. A new initiative has once again sparked the question of whether the time has come for the “Fića,” the “Zastava 750” model, to be given the recognition it has long deserved.
The idea of erecting a monument was recently revived by the city committee of an opposition political party, with a proposal that the memorial be placed in the center of the roundabout at the exit from Kragujevac toward Batočina, where a monument to the “FIAT” company already stands.
The Association of “Fića” enthusiasts from Kragujevac, which brings together more than 320 members, has welcomed the initiative.
“To be honest, this idea has existed since 2012, when we submitted a petition and citizens’ signatures to the city administration. We are glad that it is being discussed again because we believe Kragujevac deserves a monument to the ‘Fića.’ Financing should be the responsibility of the City of Kragujevac and the state of Serbia, while we can discuss the location,” said Velibor Jevtić from the management of the Kragujevac “Fića” enthusiasts association for N1.
He emphasizes that love for this car has long gone beyond a hobby.
“Each of us sees something special in the ‘Fića.’ It represents relaxation, socializing, and a way of life. We travel to gatherings across the former Yugoslavia. My ‘Fićko’ is 47 years old; I have invested around 4,000 euros in it, and I do not regret a single dinar,” Jevtić said.
His colleague Mikica Nikolić from Masloševo shares a similar view, believing that too much time has already passed waiting for this idea to be realized.
“We will easily find a place for a monument to the car that practically got Kragujevac back on its feet. It is a symbol of this city,” Nikolić said.
He bought his first “Fića” back in 1975 and, as he says, has never been without one since.
“I am a mechanic by profession, so I always carried spare parts with me and fixed breakdowns on the road. I drove the ‘Fića’ to Italy about twenty times. I have covered more than 300,000 kilometers, and I spent about 2,000 euros just on repainting. In total, the car cost me around 5,000 euros and is worth every euro invested,” Nikolić said.
Love for the “Fića” is also shared by younger generations. Željko Milivojević from Vinča near Topola drives a 1982 “Zastava 750” and is a member of the Kragujevac association.
“I’ve been with ‘Fiće’ my whole life. My father is a bodywork mechanic, so the love for this car came naturally. I support every initiative for Kragujevac to get a monument to the ‘Fića,’ because this car greatly contributed to the city and that must not be forgotten,” Milivojević said.
His opinion is shared by Slaviša Urošević from Topola.
“My car is 43 years old and it is not for sale. I have invested around 7,500 euros in it. I have driven various vehicles, but I always returned to the ‘Fića.’ I am glad that there is more and more talk about building a monument,” Urošević emphasized.
Most of the citizens whom the N1 team encountered in Veliki Park, where “Fiće” are on display, support the idea that the car which marked the city’s history should receive a permanent memorial.
As a reminder, the “Zastava 750,” popularly known as the “Fića,” was produced in Kragujevac from 1955 to 1985. Over three decades, as many as 923,487 units rolled off the production lines of this car, which for many families in the former Yugoslavia represented their first automobile.
Around its production, an entire network of subcontractors was developed across the former SFRY. “Jugoplastika” from Split produced interiors, “Iskra” from Kranj manufactured electrical components, while within the “Crvena Zastava” system there were 47 companies and as many as 432 subcontractors, of which 220 were directly involved in production. At its peak, “Zastava” employed around 32,000 workers, and thousands of families, thanks to the “Fića,” found livelihoods and remained in Kragujevac.
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Source: N1 Foto: Zastava promo