TRABI ASSIST

[mercrocker]

Got a friend (yes, really I am not pretending to cover-up any personal embarrassment) who is thinking of a Trabi 601 as a runaround.  He is used to Deeking (ping-ping variant) so is not put off by any performance/comfort issues but would like to sound out a like-minded community for any assistance.   Basically his concerns are parts availability and general viability of useage.   Any pointers?   I will get him to join this forum as he is of overwhelmingly suitable compatibility with the mind-set on here but of course he will be post-restricted initially....

[plasticvandan]

from what i remember virtually everything is available new and off the shelf...in Germany.

there is an elusive uk trabi parts man but isnt on the web much.

i used to get stuff within a week usually from Germany.

3 million East Germans cant be wrong! (not that they had much choice)

[Squire_Dawson]

Anybody who wants to use a Trabant as a runabout should be wholeheartedly encouraged.

 

They do seem to have quite a following which would suggest parts are still available.

[Squire_Dawson]

[phil_lihp]

Given the lack of parts actually on the car to begin with it shouldn't be too much of an issue, I do know of a Hungarian chap who's very much into Trabbies who's offered to help with sourcing cars and parts.  Same guy uses his every day and has been on some big trips with no issues, I haven't driven one but they're comfortable enough as a passenger and should be able to keep up with modern traffic.  

 

The only question he should be asking is not if, it's which one.  

[mercrocker]

Thanks chaps...I knew I would get some sensible info on here (in the Autoshite sense of the word, of course...)   I have no doubt he has already made his mind up but needs to know he is not alone!   If he buys one I will definitely get him onto here!

[HillmanImp]

3 million East Germans cant be wrong!

 

I would suggest that the reason that they were made into East Germans at all was an indication that they were in fact very very wrong just a few years earlier.

[barefoot]

I had one for about 6 years.

There was no problem getting parts at all.

Join the trabby club and there are lots of folk who can help.

They work all right, the heater is spectacularly good.

They do about bog all to the gallon in relation to their size/power

about 35 noisy miles to each expensive gallon because of the 50-1 two stroke mix.

I got rid of mine because if I was going to have even a little bit of a crash

There would be more protection in a damp cardboard box than a trabant.

Itch that I scratched - wouldn't have another.

[barefoot]

 

They must have had really crap 2 stroke in the DDR, mine didn't smoke anything like that.

[jakebullet]

 

 

They must have had really crap 2 stroke in the DDR, mine didn't smoke anything like that.

 

50 oil : 1 pez?