From Požarevac to Olympus in a Fića: 600 km Without Air Conditioning
Željko Simić (31) and his girlfriend Marija reached Greece's Mount Olympus in an old Zastava 750, and their adventure has delighted thousands on social media.
Željko Simić (31) and his girlfriend Marija reached Greece's Mount Olympus in an old Zastava 750, and their adventure has delighted thousands on social media.
Željko Simić (31) from Požarevac traveled to Greece with his girlfriend Marija in a completely unconventional way-in the legendary "Fića." Instead of a comfortable modern car with air conditioning and a highway drive, the couple opted for an old domestic machine, back roads, and an adventure that caught the attention of passersby and social media users alike.
As he told Kurir, Željko's love for Zastava vehicles and old cars has been with him since childhood, and the legendary Fića holds a special place in his family. They set off on the journey to Olympus, just over 600 kilometers, with the desire to show that a true adventure doesn't require an expensive car or modern technology.
"My love for Zastava vehicles has been with me since I was a kid, and our family has a long tradition of driving and maintaining Fićas. The idea to head to Olympus was born from a desire for a real, authentic adventure. We wanted to prove that an unforgettable vacation and adventure don't need expensive modern cars, high-tech gadgets, or air conditioning-just good will, a bit of homegrown mechanics, and driving with soul," said Željko Simić for Kurir.rs.
Željko has owned the Fića for two years, but this car has been part of their family story for much longer. His father is a car mechanic, so, as he puts it, tinkering with mechanics runs in their blood.
"The Fića has been a household pet for decades; my dad is a car mechanic, so tinkering with mechanics is in our blood. Before the trip, we did a thorough inspection and preparation, though old mechanics always need attention. Interestingly, we deliberately avoided highways and chose secondary, local roads through villages. We wanted to enjoy the scenery, take it easy, and let the machine set the pace it was made for," Simić emphasized.
He set off on this journey with his girlfriend, and what delighted them most were the reactions of people along the way.
"That's something money can't buy. Wherever we showed up, people waved, honked, strangers at gas stations and rest stops stopped to take photos and asked in disbelief if we really came from Serbia on our own wheels. The Fića purred without a hitch, conquering all the climbs and heat right under the peaks of Olympus," Željko said proudly.
Their adventure also drew special attention on social media. They shared a photo of their improvised "five-star restaurant" at the roadside, with a coffee break overlooking the Aegean Sea and the Olympic massifs, on the Grčka.info page.
"In less than 24 hours, the photo gathered over 1,500 likes and hundreds of emotional comments. People write that this photo took them back to a time when travel was unhurried and life felt simpler and more honest. That was the biggest proof that our adventure has soul and brings back fond memories for people," Simić concluded.
Željko and Marija have no plans to stop at this adventure. On their channel "ZS Garaža," they announce many more exciting trips in classic cars, having realized that such stories bring people together and put a smile back on their faces.
