I own a Trabant

mad_machine wrote: I kinda like trabbies for some strange reason...

No strange reasoning, they are awesome.

"Commie" cars... God bless capitalism.

Woody wrote:

Woody wrote: As I recall, aren't some of the body panels made of some kind of pressed cardboard composite?

From Wiki: The Trabant was a steel monocoque design with roof, bootlid/trunklid, bonnet/hood, bumpers/fenders, and doors in Duroplast. Duroplast was a hard plastic (similar to Bakelite) made of recycled materials: cotton waste from the Soviet Union and phenol resins from the East German dye industry, making the Trabant the first car with a body made of recycled material.[6] The results of some crash tests showed it performed better than some contemporary Western hatchbacks.[9][10][11] The Trabant was the second car to use Duroplast, after the "pre-Trabant" P70 (Zwickau) model (1954–1959).

So what you're saying is, that they were the Saturn of the eighties?

belteshazzar wrote: what would have been a damning description when they were a new car, now sounds like a challenge!

Oh man, it's a challenge alright! I had to muscle this beast about 4 hours in the snow with clenched teeth to get it home. I was so motivated when I got in the door, I shouted: "Baby! Put the kid to bed, I feel like a MAN!"

She thought I was joking

Honestly, there are a lot of "better" cars I would have this one over.

Spinout007 wrote:

Woody wrote:

Woody wrote: As I recall, aren't some of the body panels made of some kind of pressed cardboard composite?

From Wiki: The Trabant was a steel monocoque design with roof, bootlid/trunklid, bonnet/hood, bumpers/fenders, and doors in Duroplast. Duroplast was a hard plastic (similar to Bakelite) made of recycled materials: cotton waste from the Soviet Union and phenol resins from the East German dye industry, making the Trabant the first car with a body made of recycled material.[6] The results of some crash tests showed it performed better than some contemporary Western hatchbacks.[9][10][11] The Trabant was the second car to use Duroplast, after the "pre-Trabant" P70 (Zwickau) model (1954–1959).

So what you're saying is, that they were the Saturn of the eighties?

They were the Uranus of the eighties.

Here's my little attempt at a "Trabant Tour". I'm no camera man, I'll tell you that much:

Trabant Tour

noddaz wrote: Nothing that a Civic engine transplant wouldn't fix....

On the list is a Fiat 903cc motor swap. Hoping to shoehorn the motor in this month... January at the latest.

JThw8 wrote: OMG I think that wagon needs to take up residence in my shop between the Wartburg and the Yugo to complete the cold war crap collection.

Saying it's crap is redundant. Use "Cold War Trifecta!". It sounds more exciting.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oF4phDLfGF4

I've seen worse. Like this, for example:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-z9d_gJNz0

Hungary Bill wrote: Here's my little attempt at a "Trabant Tour". I'm no camera man, I'll tell you that much: Trabant Tour

so.. how big is the trunk?

jstein77 wrote: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oF4phDLfGF4 I've seen worse. Like this, for example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-z9d_gJNz0

Actually, that's a perfect example of how advanced the Trabant was! Did you see how the steering column moved out of the way, allowing the driver's head to move forward unobstructed?

Hungary Bill wrote: Here's my little attempt at a "Trabant Tour". I'm no camera man, I'll tell you that much: Trabant Tour

Nice! How about a test drive? You'll probably need to get someone else to hold the camera for you so you can shift...

If you're gonna swap it I'd go for an R6 or R1 engine, although I'm assuming the Fiat swap is easier.

I tried to set the camera on the rear shelf and go for a drive, but that was a pretty miserable failure... Since my wife is stuck watching the kid while I play, I'm going to have to "phone a friend" on that one

Maybe Duck Tape the camera to the car?

Also, $230? How much extra to ship one to Michigan?

Kenny_McCormic wrote: Also, $230? How much extra to ship one to Michigan?

+1

I can ship from budapest to New York or Florida for about $2k. Its through a company called EKauto. If you can find cheaper shipping from Budapest, I can get a car there

Hasznaltauto.hu

You should bring your friend over to check it out after push starting it in reverse. :D

Awesome! This is why I love this board.

Spinout007 wrote: You should bring your friend over to check it out after push starting it in reverse. :D

Best idea ever!!! Oh crap, why didn't I think of this!?!

I try. Two strokes are amusing like that

Hey, what do you call a Trabi up a hill?

...a miracle.

What do you call two Trabis up a hill?

...a mirage.

What do you call ten Trabis up a hill?

The factory's up there.

Badum-tish! Don't forget to tip your waiter folks, I'll be here all night!

Hungary Bill wrote:

noddaz wrote: Nothing that a Civic engine transplant wouldn't fix....

On the list is a Fiat 903cc motor swap. Hoping to shoehorn the motor in this month... January at the latest.

NOOOOOO the 2 stroke makes this car!!

I agree.

If engine swap, then use a snowmobile 2 stroke, more power than a pushrod fiat and you keep the smoke and noise.