British TV hosts buy a Yugo for €650 and completely transform it: From 'worst car' to stunning classic /VIDEO/

The presenting duo travelled to Serbia, where they picked up a red 1989 Yugo 55 for just €650 before restoring it to its former glory through a meticulous rebuild. Following the successful project, Discovery Channel UK showcased the car's drastic transformation on social media with a nod to the local fanbase.

"The Yugo is one of the most mocked cars of all time, but not in its homeland," stated Discovery Channel alongside a heart emoji and the Serbian flag, highlighting the deep emotional bond the car shares with people across the region.

While the Yugo was often dismissed internationally as outdated and unreliable, it carries immense nostalgia across Serbia and the former Yugoslav nations. For generations of drivers, it was the first family car, the trusted vehicle for summer holidays by the sea, or the car in which they first learned to drive. That stark contrast was precisely what inspired the British hosts to take on the restoration challenge.

The show's main stars, seasoned car dealer Mike Brewer and former Formula 1 mechanic Marc "Elvis" Priestley, travel the globe hunting down unique four-wheeled gems. In Serbia, their choice was the Yugo 55, which at €650 became the cheapest car ever purchased in the show's history. Adding to the charm, the seller, Milan, had to hand them a screwdriver alongside the keys just so they could open the boot.

Although Priestley initially harboured doubts about the project given the model's notorious reputation in the UK, Brewer was determined to prove that a properly sorted Yugo could hold its own even against a contemporary Volkswagen Golf.

The restoration process involved comprehensive mechanical and cosmetic work. The team overhauled the braking system, refreshed the steering and suspension, fitted a refurbished carburettor, and vastly improved the cabin's sound insulation. The build was completed with a set of stylish alloy wheels and freshly polished red paintwork, turning the humble hatchback into an eye-catching and well-preserved classic.

The British crew visited Serbia in June, hosting a meet-and-greet with fans near the Avala Tower. While Brewer chatted with gathered enthusiasts, Priestley put the finishing touches on the car.

The Yugo was produced at the Zastava factory in Kragujevac for 28 years, from 1980 to 2008. In the mid-1980s, it entered the US market with a starting price of $3,990 as the cheapest new car available, though frequent reliability issues quickly earned it widespread notoriety. On its home turf, however, the car's legacy goes far beyond mere technical assessments.

The episode titled "Serbia: Yugo 55", the fourth installment of the third season of "Wheeler Dealers World Tour", premiered in the UK on October 14, while viewers in Serbia will be able to watch it on November 11 at 9:00 PM on the Discovery Channel.