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The FSO Syrena Sport was a Polish prototype sports car designed and built in the late 1950s by a group of engineers at the Fabryka Samochodów Osobowych FSO, which due to general economic and political reasons never went into mass production.
The Syrena Sport was 2-door coupe designed by Cezary Nawrot, with a fiberglass body on a steel chassis with strengthened floor panel.
Originally, the car was not intended for production – it was a test platform for a number of solutions and production technologies intended for the modification of Syrena sedan, which was mass-produced since 1955. Cezary Nawrot on purpose designed a very low and flat bonnet, to avoid a standard 2-stroke 2-cylinder S-15 engine (used in other Syrenas) to be installed in this car. Consequently, the available, completely new 4-stroke flat-twin engine, designated S-16, designed by Władysław Skoczyński and Andrzej Zatoń was used. Contrary to a widespread opinion, the engine did not share internal components with Panhard Dyna - only Panhard's engine accessories, such as the carburettor and ignition were used to simplify testing of the prototype. The intended rated power was around 50 bhp, but the first prototype developed around 35 bhp - performance test were carried out, but their results have not been preserved. Stanisław Łukaszewicz was the chief designer of another important innovation: self-supporting chassis with strengthened floor panel - other Syrenas at that time used traditional steel ladder frame. The stylish body of the car was moulded in fibreglass, which was the first such attempt at FSO. Syrena Sport also had a new independent rear suspension with trailing arms and torsion bars designed by Antoni Drozdek. Some other systems were built and tested, such as FSO’s first floor shifting mechanism and hydraulic-controlled clutch. Naturally, many mechanical and electrical parts were taken directly from other versions of the Syrena, including transmission, headlights, dials, etc.
As the young designer team were largely given free hand in realising their aspirations, the effect of their work was a surprisingly beautiful car. Chief designer Cezary Nawrot admitted being inspired by various Ferrari models and Mercedes-Benz 190SL. After its presentation on the Labour Day, (1 May) the car quickly became a sensation, and was widely described in the automobile press of the day – especially the "Motor" weekly. At least once the car featured in the daily TV news programme "Dziennik Telewizyjny" (TV Journal). A short mention and a photo of Syrena Sport appeared in the prestigious Swiss yearly Automobile Year 1960-1961, and in May 1960 the Italian nationwide daily newspaper "Il Giorno" described Syrena Sport as "the most beautiful car built behind the Iron Curtain".
Specs:
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Yes, I'm aware some pictures are of replicas.
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Dang it. 
