Trabant Spain
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Wartburg-Trabant Española SA Importing to Spain from the GDR at a low price

Nostalgia invites us to be forgiving. That is why, over the years, we warmly remember objects that were ineffective even in their time. This also happens with the classics, which acquire a certain patina of indulgence as they are symbols of times past. In fact, one of the cars where this is best seen is the Trabant. Born in 1960 as a small utility vehicle for the population of the GDR, it became a popular icon after the fall of East Germany. Something to which, paradoxically, its simple and obsolete design has hardly changed during its 41 years of life.

However, this was not the only model of the former German Democratic Republic with a long life. There was also the range of the Wartburg company, which could only survive the fall of the Iron Curtain for a year after being founded in 1966 by the communist authorities. Perhaps those most passionate about the German motor on both sides of the Berlin Wall remember this company for the 313. The curious roadster born in 1957 on the platform of the familiar 311. Just the car that the Wartburg 1966 came to replace in 353 with a functional design, although obsolete since its birth.

However, that is what now gives it an extra charm for its fans, who also appreciate the few changes that the Wartburg 353 underwent in its 25 years of life. Just the point where long rants are generated between fans and critics, contrasting its robust mechanical simplicity with failures in reliability or behavior if it is not understood what you are driving. Without a doubt, one of those classics that raise heated discussions. In fact, more than expected since, although the Wartburg 353 is a little known model, it was marketed in Spain. And from what we have seen in forums ... More was lavished than you might think.

WARTBURG 353. WEIGHING THE PROS AND CONS

The first thing that catches the attention of the Wartburg 353 is its outdated design even for 1966. And no, we are not referring to the external appearance since its sober lines is possibly what has aged best in this model. Rather we are talking about the mechanics, chaired by a two-stroke, three-cylinder engine with about 50CV, which reached the 90s in certain units of the official rally team present in Monte Carlo. And even a twin engine! First surprise in the history of this model that, due to its lubrication based on oil mixed with gasoline itself, accompanied its gait with striking smoke.

A mechanical simplicity that creates vibrations that increase when climbing turns. Of course, controlling these by ear due to the lack of rev counter on the instrument panel. Absence supplemented with indicators such as the econometer, which illuminated with successive pilot lights as the foot on the accelerator increased fuel consumption. And it is that in the Wartburg 353 everything was conceived to be as robust and simple as it is economical.

The latter feature that he couldn't really get. As the need to bring the engine highly revved so that it would not lose thrust resulted in consumption of between 7 and 12 liters per hundred depending on the requirements. Regarding the chassis, its scheme was already outdated at the time. A fact that made the Wartbug 353 a difficult car to drive at certain speeds, especially due to its great tendency to understeer. In addition, to avoid mechanical overheating on the descents, it had a freewheel system. With it you could disconnect the engine from the transmission with a lever.

As it was, you faced the stage in neutral with a car of almost a ton with brakes designed to take things easy. And that is the point of the Wartburg 353: understand it calmly. Only in this way, by asking him for what he is designed for, does this German Spartan bring out its advantages. Synthesized in overwhelming simplicity perfect for home mechanics. Something that made possible low sales prices. Fact for which the government of the GDR was encouraged to export it.

COMING FROM THE EAST. THE WARTBURG 353 IN SPAIN

Sputnik-1 was the first satellite to orbit. A milestone accompanied by others such as the dog Laika - the first living being to orbit the Earth - or the Venera 3 - the first space probe to land on another planet, Venus. All of them milestones in the Soviet space race, which made huge strides only overshadowed by the huge media impact of the Americans landing on the moon. A historical fact that put on the table the enormous technological development of these, but also the tremendous wear and tear suffered by the communist bloc in its endeavor to overtake its enemies in space.

A galactic dream that bled a good part of the industrial budget of the countries under Moscow's aegis, greatly neglecting sectors such as the automobile industry. Something that helps explain the big difference between cars made on either side of the Iron Curtain. A fact that makes it even more striking that the GDR opened dealer networks throughout Europe, hoping that its Wartburg 353s could gain a foothold in the advanced market of the capitalist countries. This attempt had its first exponent in the United Kingdom, where the 353 was marketed under the name Wartburg Knight.

The commercialization of the Wartburg 353 in Spain took place during the second half of the eighties, being able to acquire it in different bodies but also with the 1-liter 3CV engine from the VW Polo and incorporated into the range in 64. The only novelty really remarkable in the 1988 years of the model's life. A simplicity that did not help its good entry into the Spanish market. And is that its 40% less approximate price compared to cars in the same segment could not save it either. Not surprisingly, the ignorance of the brand, the controversies around its reliability and the shortage of spare parts marked an unkind fate for the 353.

Of course, before disappearing with the closure of the company after the fall of the GDR in 1991, Wartburg managed to sell an unconfirmed number of vehicles in Spain for which it can be said that some years - such as 1989 - exceeded a thousand. This is why, unexpectedly, a greater number of former or current Spanish owners of the Wartburg 353 are perceived in Spain than one might think at first. However, it is a difficult mission to find a unit for sale. Possibly most of them ended up in scrapping, reason to further value the charm of this unexpected vehicle on the Spanish market.

Photographs: Wartburg

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Written by Miguel Sánchez

Through the news from La Escudería, we will travel the winding roads of Maranello listening to the roar of the Italian V12; We will travel Route66 in search of the power of the great American engines; we will get lost in the narrow English lanes tracking the elegance of their sports cars; We will speed up the braking in the curves of the Monte Carlo Rally and we will even get dusty in a garage while rescuing lost jewels.

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