Dawn of the Third Age of Communism; A Malenkov Soviet Union TL

Perhaps a possible line is they fumble and lose control of much or all of Eastern Europe early but the USSR core holds, and does better than OTL despite losing both the resources and security buffer Eastern Europe was OTL. But clearly losing control of the Warsaw pact would be a blunder the Soviet Party would be most embarrassed by.
Warsw pact was created only in 1955 if I remember correctly.

But inderd possible loss of buffer by librralization policies may be very possible and politically troubling for reformers in Moscow.
 
FIAT, Or How to Modernize Polish Automotive Industry
FIAT 500p (Little Car - Maluch) (1968-1980)
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  • FIAT 500p was the first car produced by FSM state-owned company in Połaniec Factory from 1968 to 1980 as cheap car city affordable for decent worker. During twelve years one millions and half (1 501 379) 500s were produced in Poland including 701 532 in Połaniec (1968-1974) and 799 847 in Warsaw (1974-1980).
  • Symbol of luxury, mobility and independence for many people, it began Polish automotive industry - one of communist regime's successes - which continued until 1990s when FSM was sold to FIAT company. Truly, 500p started motorization of Polish society.
  • In this car you could not broke Sixth Commandment :)
  • Gomułka's favourite car. He personally drove his unique FIAT 500p (with airbags, car radio and strenghtened body) while attending at meeting with Chairman of the Council of Ministers Andrei Gromyko on 1969.
  • One of Tychy's FIAT 500p was bought by Georgy Malenkov's wife Valeria Golubtsova on 1974.
  • Produced it few variants:
    • The First - 499 cc, two-cylinder engine with 18 horsepower, equipped with suicide doors produced from 1968 to 1974.
    • Nuova - 594 cc, two-cylinder engine with 24 horsepower, with normal doors produced from 1974-1980.
    • Sport - 652 cc, two-cylinder engine with 30 horsepower, with normal doors produced from 1978 to 1980. His modernized version is produced as Abarth 500 from 2009.
    • Export - from 1973 to 1980 - 594 cc, two-cylinder engine with 26 horsepower with better quality of body and interior space.
FIAT 126p (Little Fiat - Mały Fiat) (1974-1992)
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  • FIAT 500s' successor in Fabryka Samochodów Małolitrażowych, 126p's license was bought during Gierek's reign on 1973 in Roma, Italy during signing Polish-Italian Trade Treaty about loosening taxes and tariffs on automobiles between two countries. Due to lack of funds in Poland, Gianni Agnelli (later awarded with highest civil decoration Order of the Builders of The People's Poland) agreed on paying with builded in the future cars which were sent to Turin between 1974 and 1978.
  • Easy-to-fix car became popular due to low prices and low costs of repair (usually, piece of wire, three keys, hammer and screwdriver were enough to do provisionaly repairs or upgrades). Little Fiat was second after Little Car "A Polish Motorization Wonder" due to mass production and availability and popularity amongst Polish society.
  • Three millions of FIAT 126p were produced in Poland.
  • Popular in Cuban Workers' Republic since 1980s.
  • Produced in four variants:
    • 594 cc, two-cylinder engine with 23 horsepower during 1974-1977
    • 652 cc, two-cylinder engine with 26 horsepower during 1977-1984
    • 703 cc, two-cylinder engine with 30 horsepower during 1984-1992
    • Quadro - 903 cc, four-cylinder engine with 41 horsepower produced during 1990-1992. Its engine was later used in FIAT Cinquecento.
 
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