Maluch in service

With the rapid mass development of motorisation in Poland, it was necessary to expand the car service network accordingly. At the same time as the first Maluch cars appeared on the streets of Polish cities, the existing state enterprises involved in the sale and maintenance of cars consolidated. On 1 January 1974, Przedsiębiorstwo Techniczno-Handlowe Motoryzacji Polmozbyt (Polmozbyt Technical and Trading Company) was established as a result of the merger of Techniczna Obsługa Samochodów (TOS) (Technical Automotive Service), Przedsiębiorstwo Państwowe Motozbyt (Motozbyt State Enterprise) and Przedsiębiorstwo Techniczno-Handlowe Polmo-Behamot (Polmo-Behamot Technical and Trading Company). The new entity, divided into a dozen or so branches throughout Poland, was to be responsible for the sale and servicing of cars.

Photo 3.

In November 1973, one of the first Fiat 126p cars arrived at the ‘Stalmet’ Co-operative’s car service station at 8A Jana Kochanowskiego Street, arousing great interest among its employees.

Photo by Stanisław Kokurewicz (collections of the ‘Remembrance and Future’ Centre)

Photo 2, 3.

Until the end of the 1970s, the headquarters of Polmozbyt in Wrocław were located at 145 Kamienna Street.

‘Słowo Polskie’ of 2 August 1974, No. 197, p. 7 (collections of the Ossolineum Library / Periodicals Department)

‘Słowo Polskie’ of 12 May 1978, No. 107, p. 3 (collections of the Ossolineum Library / Periodicals Department)

Photo 4.

At 211/217 Powstańców Śląskich Street, where the Mercedes-Benz car showroom used to be before the Second World War, there was a Polmozbyt petrol station.

(collections of the ‘Remembrance and Future’ Centre)

Photo 5.

Sooner or later, the happiness of every Maluch owner was marred by fundamental questions: where to repair it and where to buy spare parts?

‘Słowo Polskie’ of 8 October 1974, No. 236, p. 4 (collections of the Ossolineum Library / Periodicals Department)

Photo 6.

As early as 1973, the press announced the construction of a modern service station in Wrocław to meet the needs of Fiat 126p owners.

‘Słowo Polskie’ of 20 November 1973, No. 275, p. 4 (collections of the Ossolineum Library / Periodicals Department)

Photo 7.

It was not until 1980 that a new Polmozbyt branch was opened in the then Armii Radzieckiej Avenue, now Karkonoska Avenue.

‘Słowo Polskie’ of 29 April 1980, No. 96, p. 1 (collections of the Ossolineum Library / Periodicals Department)