The Warsaw Cabbie: The Story of Mr. Janek and His Iconic Warszawa "Kasia"

The Warsaw Cabbie

He is one of the oldest taxi drivers in Tricity. For nearly thirty years, Mr. Janek has been driving the very same Warszawa. He named her Kasia. In his car, he has already covered approximately 2 million kilometers.

The cabbie prefers not to reveal his surname. "Let's stick to Mr. Janek, that's what everyone calls me," he states. He bought a brand-new Warszawa in April 1970 for 120,000 PLN. Average monthly earnings back then hovered between 1,300 and 1,500 PLN.

In the early 1970s, it was a fashionable vehicle and, apart from the Volga, the only one suitable for a taxi. That is how Mr. Janek explains his choice today. He has no regrets. Thanks to his Warszawa, he has been one of the most popular drivers in Tricity for years. Not a day goes by without a group of curious onlookers approaching him, eager to take a ride in an vintage car.

"Young and old alike come up, looking at my car with nostalgia. Sometimes they just want a ride out of curiosity or for fun. Others take souvenir photos," says Mr. Janek.

Quite often, he is the first to leave the taxi stand, even when he is last in line. This is also thanks to Mr. Janek's friendliness and storytelling talent. That is where his nickname came from—Janek Kind Heart. Given his tenure behind the wheel (45 years), he is also known as "Dad."

A True Beauty

The cabbie grew so attached to his Warszawa that he decided to give her a name—Kasia.

"Friends used to call my car Cleopatra or Pelasia. I explained to them that it had to be a pretty name, like a sweet, charming girl. I always liked the name Kasia, and so it stuck," the owner adds.

Due to her age, Kasia requires special care. Every day, Mr. Janek thoroughly inspects the engine, checks for play, and tops off fluids. Several times a week, he washes the car with water and a special liquid that gives Kasia her shine. Every year, diagnostic checks and underbody maintenance are performed. The driver handles all minor repairs on the spot. Finding spare parts is never an issue—Mr. Janek's basement holds enough components to assemble a second Warszawa. Small wonder that Mr. Janek managed to cover two million kilometers in his car.

"Unfortunately, an engine wouldn't survive that kind of mileage. My Kasia is already on her third engine. But as for the bodywork, only the front fenders were replaced once. The rest of the body is in pristine condition," boasts the taxi driver.

Indeed, the car looks immaculate. There are no signs of corrosion anywhere, the doors shut with incredible lightness, and you can practically see your reflection in the chrome bumpers. In winter, the car hits the road without hesitation, undeterred by frost or snowdrifts. The owner also takes long-distance trips without worry.

"The longest fare I remember was to Wrocław, 520 kilometers one way. I was driving a sailor from the MS 'Batory' then. There were also trips to Szczecin or Suwałki," says the owner. "Kasia moves like a young girl; she isn't afraid of long routes. Even today, she can reach 125 kilometers per hour. Of course, something could break down at any moment, but I always know what hurts her and where."

You Only Get Married Once

The taxi driver has not had a single accident in thirty years. He drives carefully, adhering to the principle "make haste slowly, and you will reach your destination safe and sound."

"I took my instructor's words to heart: 'if you want to live, drive up to 100 kilometers per hour.' Up to 100, the driver controls the car; above that, the steering wheel controls him," says Mr. Janek.

The Gdynia cabbie is often hired for weddings. A decorator is hired to deck out the car according to the bride and groom's wishes.

"I don't have a fixed price list for weddings, but the groom rarely holds back on that day. They pay anywhere from one hundred to three hundred PLN. I always comfort him: you only get married once, but the joy lasts a lifetime," says the popular "Dad." "If the newlyweds wish, I can even crank-start Kasia for them," he adds.

Mr. Janek faced a major dilemma eight years ago when a German gentleman offered to trade his Warszawa for a white Mercedes W123 250E. However, the taxi driver was intimidated by the large, six-cylinder engine.

"If it had been a diesel, I would have given it serious thought, but a petrol engine didn't suit me. My Kasia burns 10 liters, 12 in winter—so imagine what a Mercedes like that would consume. Besides, after years, I realized I would have made a mistake, and today I know I won't switch to another car. I love her, just as one loves another human or a pet. It would be very hard for me to part with her," Mr. Janek reminisces fondly.

A Movie Taxi

Many articles and several film reports have been made about Mr. Janek. Together with Kasia, he even played a short cameo in the movie "Sztos."

"One day, while I was waiting at the stand, Olaf Lubaszenko approached me. He was fascinated by my Warszawa and offered me a appearance in the movie they were shooting. It was a great honor for me, so I agreed right away. I remember driving Kasia several times past the Grand Hotel in Sopot, with Jan Nowicki and Edward Linde-Lubaszenko behind us with a camera. Naturally, I had modified license plates and a taxi sign," the driver recalls.

For thirty years, Mr. Janek has been pulling up to the exact same taxi stand near the Gdynia Chylonia railway station. Except for Sundays, he arrives every day around 4:00 PM and returns home after the last train departs. As he claims, he will drive his taxi for another two or three years—health permitting, of course. He says rising petrol prices will be the end of him. Besides, tougher times are ahead for cab drivers.

"I remember how, a dozen years ago, customers waited in line for a taxi. We made dozens of runs every day. Now there are several times more taxis, and most people have their own cars. The good old days are over," complains the driver. He just doesn't know what will happen to Kasia. He doesn't want to sell her, because she is the only car he has ever owned in his life. As he says, he will probably keep her as a keepsake and continue to care for her.

The oldest taxi in Tricity, the Warszawa Kasia, is now 29 years old.

(Author: RAFAŁ RADZYMIŃSKI)