Zastava Skala. Green version in Zemun (Belgrade)

Zastava Skala, also known as Yugo Skala, is a generic name for a family of cars built by Serbian manufacturer Zastava Automobili. Based on the Fiat 128 sedan, it was introduced in 1971 and sold as a 3 or 5-door liftback, a style that had not been issued or manufactured in Italy and was specifically trageted for the Balkan market, under the names Zastava 101, Zastava 1100, Zastava 1300, Zastava GTL, Yugo Skala 55c and Yugo Skala 65c.

Later in 1979 it became available as a 5-door sedan, identical to the Fiat 128 but sold, under the name Zastava 128.

The Zastava 128 model was discontinued in 2003.

In its domestic market, the Zastava 101 was widely known by the nicknames “Stojadin”, and (in Slovenia) “Stoenka” (“101-ette”).

In the final years of production, the Zastava Skala was available in a single trim level: the 55-horsepower, 1.1-liter, 5-door Skala 55. In 2008, a new Skala could be purchased for just under 4,000 euros, undercutting the Zastava Koral (an ameliorated Yugo).

Production of the Zastava Skala continued for some time after the discontinuation of the Zastava 128. The Skala features a fifth door, making it impressively functional at this price level. Droping down the rear seat increases the cargo space from 325 to 1,010 liters.

Due to its practicality and robustness, and thanks to its low price, the Skala 55 continued to sell well in Serbia until the end of production in 2008. 1,273,532 units have been built since 1971.

Zastava in late 2007 estimated that the Skala 55 was the world’s second most-affordable car at the time.

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