Description
One of the last 2-stroke Trabants. Built in 1990, this particular one spent the first part of its life around the factory town of Zwickau. It was imported to the UK in 2013 and purchased, registered and recommissioned by myself in 2016 and named Igor.
- MOT until Sep 25
- 53, 000kms
- a new (new type) carburettor
- New premium exhaust system
- VW front disk brake conversion, new master cylinder and hoses
- original steel wheels painted white (could use refresh)
- new handbrake
- recent new plugs and leads.
- refreshed suspension components.
- aftermarket Trabant mudflaps
- recent fuel tap service and new hoses
- seat belts fitted in the rear (never used)
- a small patch of welding, with underside treated for rust.
Improvements to be made
- whilst the car itself is solid, the body work could use some attention. There is paint mismatch and small imperfections (the worst included in photos).
- Wheels could use a repaint
Very reluctant sale. Would love to see Igor go to a good home. Please DM me. No time wasters. £3, 750 onoThe Trabant was the definitive car and symbol of life beyond the Iron Curtain. Their simple 2-stroke engine is known for its iconic popping sound and is an absolute hoot to drive.
Despite being dated by the time 1990 rolled around, the Trabant was actually ahead of its time in many ways. The body is a steel monocoque chassis, which is significant as other people's cars (the 2CV and the R4, for example) were body-on-frame designs. The body panels were fashioned from duroplast - recycled Soviet cotton with a fibre-glass-like resin to harden them - extremely revolutionary for the time. The use of the 2-stroke engine was also a novelty for the time, also appearing in the likes of the Saab 96 and various Japanese small cars. This was considered very fuel efficient and still holds up well to this day.
This particular example was born and raised in the East German factory town of Zwickau. Although no documents remain from Germany, I have the V5 and a stack of receipts to document the history during my ownership.
Parts are very easily available, with great suppliers based in Hungary and Germany. I will of course be happy to share my sources to help the buyer. Furthermore, there is tremendous support from the Wartburg Trabant IFA Club UK and their unofficial Facebook page. There are lots of helpful documents, guides and friendly members who will support you in your journey through Trabant ownership.
This car is sure to get a reaction wherever it goes, often getting more attention than supercars at shows. This is not only a fun classic, it's a piece of automotive history.
