| Production | |
|---|---|
| Model Year: | 1965 |
The FSO Warszawa 223 Combi, produced in 1965, represents a significant chapter in the history of Polish automotive design, specifically in the realm of station wagons. Building on the legacy of the Warszawa line, the 223 Combi offered enhanced versatility and practicality, tailored for families and utility users alike. This model is distinctive for its station wagon body style, which provided increased cargo capacity compared to its sedan counterparts, making it an ideal vehicle for those needing both passenger space and load flexibility. Manufactured by FSO (Fabryka Samochodów Osobowych), the Warszawa 223 Combi retained the classic and robust mechanical underpinnings emblematic of mid-20th century Eastern European vehicles. While exact dimensional data of this model is less commonly documented, the Warszawa 223 Combi typically measured around 4.4 meters (approximately 14.4 feet) in length, with a width close to 1.7 meters (5.6 feet). Its height was roughly 1.6 meters (5.25 feet), giving the vehicle a practical stance ideal for handling a variety of road conditions prevalent in Poland during the era. The Warszawa 223 was known for its solid construction and reliability, qualities that sustained its popularity despite the rise of more modern competitors. Its design and size made it suitable not only as a family car but also for commercial purposes, reflecting the multi-use intent of the station wagon category. In comparison to contemporary station wagons of the mid-1960s, the Warszawa 223 Combi held its ground with a functional and utilitarian appeal rather than luxury, emphasizing durability and space efficiency. Today, the Warszawa 223 Combi remains an iconic example of classic Polish automotive engineering, symbolizing a practical approach to vehicle design in the 1960s, valued by collectors and automotive historians alike.
Discover the standout features that make the 1965 FSO Warszawa 223 Combi a leader in its class
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The FSO Warszawa 223 Combi from 1965 has an overall length of approximately 4,320 mm (170.1 inches), a width of about 1,650 mm (64.9 inches), and a height of roughly 1,550 mm (61.0 inches). These dimensions make it a fairly compact station wagon by today's standards, with its design focused on maximizing interior space while retaining relatively modest exterior size for urban and suburban use.
The wheelbase of the Warszawa 223 Combi measures around 2,700 mm (106.3 inches). This relatively long wheelbase for a car of its overall size helps enhance interior passenger room and cargo capacity. It allows for better stability and ride comfort, especially important in station wagons that are designed to carry both passengers and varying amounts of luggage or cargo.
The Warszawa 223 Combi typically weighs around 1,350 kg (2,976 lbs) in curb weight. This weight contributes to the car’s solid and robust feel but can impact fuel efficiency, given the vehicle's older engine technology and heavier steel construction common in the 1960s. While performance is steady, the car was valued more for durability and reliability than speed.
The station wagon design of the Warszawa 223 Combi was focused on providing ample cargo space behind the rear seats. While precise cargo volume numbers are scarce due to the era of manufacture, its elongated rear section allows significant luggage or cargo transport compared to the standard sedan version. The fold-down rear seats would further increase usable cargo space, catering to practical family and utility needs.
With a length of around 4.32 meters (170 inches), width of 1.65 meters (65 inches), and height close to 1.55 meters (61 inches), the Warszawa 223 Combi generally fits comfortably into standard family garages, which often have door widths starting at roughly 2.4 meters (94 inches) and depths around 5.5 meters (216 inches). However, actual fit depends on individual garage size and ease of maneuvering inside the space.
The Warszawa 223 Combi builds upon the earlier Warszawa sedan models by extending the rear body for greater cargo space without drastically changing the core chassis dimensions such as wheelbase or width. Compared to predecessors primarily featuring sedan layouts, the Combi offers a more versatile wagon configuration, slightly increasing overall length mainly for practicality without compromising maneuverability.
In comparison to other Eastern European and Western European station wagons from the mid-1960s, the Warszawa 223 Combi is relatively modest in size. Western models like the Ford Taunus or Opel Rekord wagons were similar in length (approximately 4.3 to 4.5 meters), but many Western wagons offered more width and interior refinement. The Warszawa distinguished itself through durability and straightforward design rather than dimensional superiority.
The Warszawa 223 Combi features a traditional station wagon roofline with a gently sloping rear roof and a large tailgate door. This design maintains a reasonable overall height of approximately 1.55 meters (61 inches) while providing ease of access to the cargo area. The large rear door facilitates loading and unloading, making it practical for family and utility uses.
Due to its spacious interior and versatile cargo area, the Warszawa 223 Combi was commonly used as a family vehicle, commercial utility car, or even for government and organizational transport in Poland and Eastern Bloc countries. Its combination of durability, simplicity, and comparatively larger cargo room than sedans made it popular for those needing practical transportation with room for people and goods.
The 223 Combi introduced a station wagon body style on the Warszawa platform, expanding the lineup beyond sedans. Mechanically, it largely shared the same drivetrain and suspension setup as earlier generations but was tuned slightly for the additional weight. Design-wise, it featured reinforced rear doors, improved interior utility options, and minor styling updates to accommodate the wagon functionality, emphasizing practicality while maintaining the classic Warszawa ruggedness.
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