1984 Trabant 601

Highlights

• Comprehensively restored from a non-running project
• In current ownership for approximately eight years
• Restoration photos and receipts available
• Completed a 1,000-mile round trip to Berlin without issue
• A rare sight on UK roads

The Appeal

VEB Sachsenring's Trabant 601 was East Germany's approach to creating a true people's car. Everything was borne of necessity and simplicity. Boasting a body made of Duroplast, a particularly lightweight composite plastic, the titchy little car was a very simple machine. The car was carried by only a tiny little 1950s DKW twin-cylinder powerplant, so it was never much of a record breaker - but its exceptional price tag and easy-to-handle character made it became the most popular machine, bar none, in East Germany. Between 1964 and 1990, 2,818,547 are known to have been built.

This 1984 example was acquired approximately eight years ago as a solid but non-running project and has since undergone a thorough restoration covering the engine, braking system, bodywork and interior. It's a thoroughly reborn car, with plenty of modifications and upgrades.

The car proved its mettle on a 1,000-mile round trip to Berlin with the IFA club, returning nearly 50 MPG without missing a beat. It has been driven fewer than 1,500 miles in total during the current ownership, used exclusively for Trabant owners club events, and always stored in a warm, dry garage.

Key Information

• Mileage: 60,781 km (indicated)
• Country of registration: UK (ex-German import)
• Technical inspection status: MOT exempt (Historic Vehicle)
• Technical specs: 600cc (rebored to 625cc) inline two-cylinder two-stroke petrol, four-speed manual
• Paperwork: Small selection of invoices, limited photographic record, V5c

The Detail

• Engine fully overhauled:
  • Rebored to 625cc with new Mahle pistons
  • New crankshaft with new roller bearings
  • New disc valves
  • New fan bearings
• 12v conversion with new alternator bearings and diodes
• 28mm Mikuni carburettor conversion fitted; the vendor reports it starts, idles and runs well
• Electronic ignition with new Bosch coils
• New bigger bore exhaust system with expansion-chamber front box
• Reconditioned later style gearbox with spider output and CV driveshafts; freewheel checked and reported to be working well
• New shock absorbers, suspension bushes, front trunnions, sleeves and boots
• New 50mm de-cambered multi-leaf springs front and rear
• Converted to VW disc brakes all round: VW Polo front discs and callipers, VW Golf rear discs and callipers
• New VW hubs front and rear; Wilwood brake balance valve fitted
• DOT 5 silicone brake fluid used throughout; new brake lines, flexibles, master cylinder and handbrake cable
• All body panels removed (except roof) during restoration;
  • New outer inner arches, nearside sill rear section and complete offside sill fitted
• All cavities spray injected; panels reinstalled with PU adhesive and stainless steel fasteners
• Underside stone chip sealed and reported to be in good condition
• Repainted in period-correct cellulose powder blue with off-white roof
• The vendor considers the paintwork presentable but notes odd marks and some thinning on edges from polishing
• New glass seals, door seals and boot seals fitted
• New headlining, seat covers and carpets fitted; dash top reported in good condition
• Early style steering wheel and period rev counter fitted; all switches, speedo and rev counter reported working
• JB 5 x 13 MiniLite wheels with Yokohama tyres
• Volkswagen spacesaver spare wheel included
• Early style rounded bumpers and period glass front indicator lenses fitted
• Always stored in a warm, dry garage and run on 40:1 mix with high-quality synthetic oil
• The vendor reports blue smoke when cold but fairly smoke-free when warm
• The vendor states the car cruises comfortably at around 50 mph and has seen 70 mph on the flat
• Anecdotal history suggests a connection to U2's 1992 Zoo Tour; a West German plate is included but this claim is unsubstantiated

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