Soviet Charm of Trabant

After the Second World War factories of Auto Union were situated in the Soviet occupation zone in Europe, including the prestigious Horch and more affordable Audi and DKW. After the division of Germany, the government of German Democratic Republic set a goal to produce the most cost-effective and accessible to the general public car  and "put" nation on wheels. Auto Union factories were nationalized, and a few years later  began assembling the vehicle, which has become a symbol of East Germany - Trabant.

How socialist car  could be called in the late fifties -  early sixties, the era of "Belka and Strelka" Gagarin and the first spacecraft? The car was called "Sputnik" (in honor of the first Soviet satellite, launched on the Earth's orbit), but only in the Latin script - «Trabant». Trabant P50 first came off the assembly line on November 7, 1957.

"Trabant" was designed with an eye to the West European contemporaries, so from any angle he inevitably recalls neither the "Opel", nor that "Cadillac", only the smaller size. At first look it seems solid, but on closer inspection it turns out too small! Similarity to the large-scale copy of the "real" car gave additional charm to soviet "Trabant". Since its birth, he looked a toy and brings a smile wherever he appeared. Especially curious look these rear wings, "fins", in combination with a short body and a pretty high roof.

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But the most interesting thing about this car – its body. In the post-war socialist Europe steel was in great shortage, and the Ruhr steel industry remained on the other side of the German border. Therefore, Trabant had very little iron in its body construction. Steel was used only in the framework for the body, and all external hinged panels were made almost out of paper. Material was resembling plastic touch, and when tapped - cardboard, and was named rather pretty  - duroplast. Lightweight, but not too strong and very cheap this material was developed before War at DKW.

There were rumors that in the assembling of Trabant’s body were involved only two people, as the Germans used to joke - "one adds, the other glues." In fact, the build process was tedious and not changed for more than 30 years of production, and most of the work was made by Vietnam workers.

By the way, a simple and cheap "Trabant" offers buyers a choice of two body types - sedan or wagon (both - the two-door) . Also there was  luxury version -  De Luxe -  that distinguished from others by the presence of the front and rear fog lights, reversing lights and odometer.

Engine in Trabant seems was taken from moped - two-stroke two-cylinder, air-cooled, with the volume of 0.594 liters and 18 hp.  Gearbox – four-speed mechanical. Despite the apparently weak and outdated engine light "cardboard", max speed of Trabant was 90 km/h! As of overseas Chevrolet Corvair  about the "GDR" the car was quite fair to say - "dangerous at any speed", because in case of an accident nothing could protect  driver and passengers  - light body broke down like cardboard .

 
Trabant’s construction was based on prewar DKW developments, so there is nothing surprising in the fact that in the early 70's soviet machine was obsolete. The first attempts of modernization were taken in the mid-60s, but only increase engine horse power was increased up to 26 hp. The prototype of a new generation of Trabant with a all-new body and modern rotary engine appeared in 1965, but has not been approved by Soviet Politburo. Production of archaic Trabant continued.
It was only in 1990, at the twilight of the life cycle, Trabant finally got the 'normal' 1.1-liter engine from VW Polo. But the opening of the "second wind" did not happen - the Germans started switching to more modern cars, gladly throwing Trabants to the dump. 

But inspite of numerous jokes about his appearance, rattlesnakes body and "childish" little motor - for years to come, Trabant remained the most affordable car in Soviet Germany, so - and the most popular. So popular that even the factories were unable to cope with the orders. It is impossible to imagine, but used Trabants were more expensive that new ones! It's very simple: buyer of new car had to expect it for months and even years, while used cars from the secondary market got into the hands of new owners much faster..

Trabant was created as a response to the "capitalist" Volkswagen Beetle and Citroën 2CV, but soviet car didn’t repeat their success. Although Trabant did not failed - for several generations it was the first car - even if small and not very high quality and safe. The car was produced until April 1991, when on the assembly line in Zwickau was produced last Trabant. In summary about 3 million of cars were produced. In united Germany there was no place for such an archaic and obsolete decades ago automotive relic.

Today in Germany there are about 50,000 Trabants. The car now have its own fan clubs around the world (even in Canada), and, once a year, the happy owners gather together in Zwickau, to celebrate the birthday of a true friend and remember the socialist youth - not too rich, but romantic and happy.

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