A Trabant For Sale to Autoshiters!

[Andrew353w]

Dear fellow Autoshiters,

 

Here's the Christmas present you've been looking for!!! The lady from whom I recently acquired my Wartburg informs me she has a Trabant that she wishes to sell. I have no information as regards price but I have seen the car and it's in good condition. I can also confirm that the car's a runner & that the previous owner was an enthusiastic lover of all things of eastern European extraction, so I reckon it's a good deal. This car is NOT offered anywhere else by me, so this community have sole access at the moment. The car is in Farnham, Surrey and, subject to the legal requirements, could be driven away.

 

If anyone's interested then please PM me and I'll pass on details. You'll understand that I'm not going to advertise her details here, but I will pass them to any Autoshiters who might wish to avail themselves of this iconic piece of East German motoring history!

 

Go on, you KNOW you want to.....

 

Andrew (where's my Lada gone? On a ship to Murmansk!)

[Lankytim]

I'd love a trabby one day.. I'm not in a position to buy this particular example but how much are Trabants worth nowadays?

[John F]

Yep. A price would be useful... also some details on this particular Trabbi

[HillmanImp]

Whilst I would normally be surprised at the lack of interest on this, there does appear to be problems moving stuff on at the moment, I am not sure if it is the financil climate, the fact its just before christmans or whether everyone had bought too much stuff in the last year and have still got work to do on it. Plus there are mayable a few posters who walk the walk but cant talk the talk.

 

I would have thought that there would have been somone on here that would want such a piece of hateful eastern block shite purely for the experience and novelty value. Saying that a price would be helpful.

[tonedepear]

I suspect there's plenty of people who'd love it and might even have funds/room but not knowing if it's shiter's price or £BARGAINS THREAD price makes it a bit like going on a book forum saying, "I've got a book. It's a red'un. Make me an offer."

[Andrew353w]

Your comments re: price and other information duly noted. I shall contact the Trabant's owner & ask her to either contribute to the thread directly or to furnish me with details the better to enlighten our community in its hour of darkness...

 

(Clearly I have attended too many Christmas carol services!)

[TrabiOwner]

Hi all,

Aforementioned Trabant owner here.

A big thank you to Andrew353w for mentioning the Trabant here.

My late husband bought this Trabant 601S in 1997 for the grand sum of £900 from south London.

The last MOT expired in August 2009 and the mileage is 26,125km.

Although I started it up about a week ago, the car hasn't actually been driven for about a year now although there's no reason to suspect any problems but it certainly needs a new battery.

I'm not sure whether a car like this increases or decreases in value over the years but due to a lack of MOT and perhaps a bit of TLC needed I am open to offers.

Link to photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/50261664@N ... 402475721/

[Lankytim]

Wow, that's superb!!

 

Does it have the a 2 stroke engine or the polo lump?

[trigger]

That's a little hunny!

 

Trabant 601s by Lori369, on Flickr

 

Trabant 601s by Lori369, on Flickr

 

Trabant 601s by Lori369, on Flickr

[trigger]

It looks like the one that was in MInder!

 

Trabant 601 by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

[pandamonium]

I'd love to take this on. The only thing I could do would be to try and sell my Micra! I'm still none the wiser on how much the Trabant is worth.

[Father Ted]

Wow, that's superb!!

 

Does it have the a 2 stroke engine or the polo lump?

600cc 2 stoker donkey

[Lankytim]

Wow, that's superb!!

 

Does it have the a 2 stroke engine or the polo lump?

600cc 2 stoker donkey

 

 

AWESOME!! I really need to focus on my Allegro, damn thing..... Plus i'm skint!

[barefoot]

Is that really wrapped up in cotton wool in the garage?

 

I ran one of these as my daily for 6 years and although it looks in excellent nick,

I've served my time in Trabbi's & don't fancy another!

Although everyone should have one at some point in their life...

[trigger]

Is that really wrapped up in cotton wool in the garage?.

 

No! that's the one that was in Minder!

[Lankytim]

Is that really wrapped up in cotton wool in the garage?

 

I ran one of these as my daily for 6 years and although it looks in excellent nick,

I've served my time in Trabbi's & don't fancy another!

Although everyone should have one at some point in their life...

 

 

What are they like to live with then? I suspect they don't like lane 3 of motorways?

[TrabiOwner]

I don't expect many Trabants have had any experience of lane 3 on a motorway. They do attract plenty of attention though. One amusing topic of conversation is the fuel gauge.....commonly known as a dipstick!

[Lankytim]

I was reading about the dipstick fuel gauge on Wikipedia! Duroplast panels, 2 stroke engines- These Trabants really sound like fun little cars!

 

I'm deffo going to own one one day, I have wanted one for years. As proof I still have a model Trabant I bought when I was 11. Someone needs to snap up this beauty before I raid my Daughters piggy bank!

[M'coli]

We need a Mr. N. Bickle to extol us of his importation exploits nigh-on 20 years ago.

[nigel bickle]

Aye -I used to mass import these- back in the early 90s. I have STACKS of silly stories to regale bored/disinterested punters; & have managed to retain a few: (a P50 estate- the early ,roundy one), a Tramp (the army softtop) & an ordinary early saloon. I'd kinda like a Polo engined one -but cant spare the wedge really right now.

 

So -having driven at least 20/30 of these back, in convoy, from Hannover, what do I think of them?

 

I think they're splendid. Economical, quirky quick little buzzboxs that are competent to around 60mph on the motorway -not bad for 600cc. Total piece of piss to mend -5 bolts and the engines out at the roadside - 20 mins max, weighing less than a suitcase; (ask me how I know...). brakes on the early ones can be a bastard as its a complex puller needed to shift the hubs out of the way. Panel replacement is laughable -wood screws all round hidden under the rubber trim strip. the metal skeleton isnt prone to severe rust -I've never had to scrap one because of grot.

 

This looks a nice one -possibly overpriiced if its not legal -but better than most. Its cheap, quirky, depreciation free & reliable -once set up. Recommended.

[25v6turbo]

I really like this,and i live not far away,interesting that the DVLA say its Yellow?

Looks in nice condition,was it actually used on Top gear?,i don,t remember that episode,have to Youtube it,can parts be had over here.

[Andrew353w]

I really like this,and i live not far away,interesting that the DVLA say its Yellow?

Looks in nice condition,was it actually used on Top gear?,i don,t remember that episode,have to Youtube it,can parts be had over here.

 

Parts aren't a problem, as the Wartbrug Trabant IFA club (check them out on t'internet) have access to most bits & pieces, as well as a thriving Trabbie scene in Europe. Also there's a couple of firms in Germany who can supply them. I've used Reich tuning for bits for my Wartburg & they're really helpful. If it's parts availability that's worrying you, worry ye not!

[messerschmitt owner]

I've had a P50 - great things - just bought a Fiat 126 or I'd have haggled on this. Price I'm thinking of, no MoT, not tax, needs new battery, £100 to transport home! - about £350.

[TrabiOwner]

That's interesting about the colour. The V5 actually says yellow/grey and from that one would assume that yellow was the main colour but it's the roof that's yellow and the body that is grey. The old MOTs all say the car is grey.

The original handbook pack is with the car and the import documents etc, albeit in German!

It did sail through the last MOT with no advisories although that probably doesn't mean much.

I think "messerschmitt owner" is being a little optimistic with that price

I can get a batttery, that's no problem, assuming Halfords have one in stock. I can imagine the expression on their face when I tell them what it's for....haha!

[Cavcraft]

With respect 'TrabiOwner' you're probably best giving a guide price to what you want or expect for it.

[Guest]

£100 to transport home!

 

You know that bit on QI where they say the word or phrase that sets the alarm off? There be it!

Sorry but you want the car, the fact you're miles away is your problem.

When I sold my BMW people used to try to knock say £300 of an E30 325i 'cos it's dear to insure'.

Your problem.

Buy a Metro HLE.

Could I go into Mitsubishi and asked for 3 bags off an Evo cos thats what it would cost to insure....

 

As you were rant over.

[messerschmitt owner]

I can buy a nice one for £900 t&t - seriously - today, right now, simply by calling a man ...

 

This may be a nice one but after a two year lay up it will need some work.

 

Yeah - it will cost a ton to get delivered - then £54 for an MoT, £40 for a battery, whatever it fails an MoT on - if it's still got East German boots, they'll be needing changed too, then six months tax at £75 or so. So would I take the risk at paying more - no!

 

I'm maybe pessimistic on the price - but put it to auction, pay the fees, take a chance!

 

If top dollar price is wanted, then it'll need a battery, tax and MoT - it'll cost £200 automatically just for those simple three items!

[barrett]

You know that bit on QI where they say the word or phrase that sets the alarm off? There be it!

Sorry but you want the car, the fact you're miles away is your problem.

When I sold my BMW people used to try to knock say £300 of an E30 325i 'cos it's dear to insure'.

Your problem.

Buy a Metro HLE.

Could I go into Mitsubishi and asked for 3 bags off an Evo cos thats what it would cost to insure....

 

But presumably your BMW and a new Evo would have tax and MOT and be road legal? This Trabbie isn't, and that should be reflected in the price

[Guest]

A re-read possibly Sir? I solely quoted the matter of "£100 to transprt home" then to insurance as a further example

[Guest]

This is all sounding a bit "owners club".....

 

"Hi Mr Owners Club Member I want a Fiat 127 Sport gearbox"

"That'll be £100 for a used one with no warranty"

 

FFWD 2 months... I come across two Fiat recon gearboxes. All 100% kosher, paper work the lot.

Phone same Owners Club man...."Nah mate not worth a shit take 'em to the tip"

I mention that 2 months prev they were £100 a pop USED and he puts the phone down.

 

So in summary, OCs (and yes I have dealt with many, unfortunately) seem to have the

 

"I'm Buying" - Its 10p

"I'm selling" - It's £1.00

 

mentality.