The Sachsenring Trabant Universal (picture courtesy of arepeejee)
The Sachsenring Trabant, a sign of long-forgotten East German communism, celebrated its fiftieth birthday this week. A motoring legend alongside classics such as the original Mini, Citroen 2V, and Volkswagen Beetle, over 3 million examples were manufactured in pre-unified East Germany, over thirty-four years from 1957 to 1991.
Okay, the Mini managed a forty year production run, the 2CV forty-two, and the beloved Beetle racked up sixty-two years. But, for a car that was born almost by accident, and was conceived as a three-wheeler in a similar style to the Reliant Robin, the Trabant achieved much beyond its intended station.
Now very much a cult car, the ‘Trabi’ has a devoted following, with enthusiasts the world over happy to sing its (at what first appear dubious) praises. With its two-stroke petrol engine, the refinement box was clearly left unticked, on early models at least. A licensing agreement with Volkswagen enabled Sachsenring to manufacture a 1043cc Polo engine, which was drafted in for the 1990 model year. In a seemingly ironic twist, Sachsenring’s Zwickau factory now produces contemporary VWs.
And, just like its earlier West German contemporary, the Beetle, the Trabi underwent minimal changes year after year. The cleaner Polo engine was the most radical overhauling the little car had seen since the introduction of the model that most represents late twentieth century Eastern Europe, the P601.
But is it possible that older cars can have a green conscience too? Maybe the Trabant was more radical than first thought.
The bodies were formed of ‘Duraplast’, a composite material made up of Phenolic resin (similar to Formica or Bakelite) reinforced with cotton fibres and ground wood pulp. More durable for car manufacture than GRP (Glass Reinforced Polyester), Duraplast panels could be pressed, as in conventional steel car production.
There was another reason for the low-tech production process too; Russia had stolen most of the steel presses from East Germany during the Second World War. Although the East Germans had little choice but make their cars with this material, it was often seen as a particularly communist technology, and therefore wasn’t universally popular.
Of course, the resin, cotton fibre, and wood pulp mix could also mean that the tiny Trabant was one of the first cars to use recycled waste in its construction. Ironically though, the resulting material is notoriously hard to recycle itself. Maybe the small mechanical East German’s environmental scorecard should be docked a few points.
But, then again, the later Volkswagen-derived engine produced less harmful emissions than its loud, smoky forerunner. So, could another string be added to the Trabi’s environmental bow?
Whichever way you look at it though, keeping an old car on the road must be viewed as a form of recycling. Admittedly, that can only be considered recycling to a certain point, but stringent annual vehicle tests operate in most European countries, and emission levels are closely monitored to wheedle out any catastrophic polluters.
And, let’s face it. The world’s environmental needs aren’t going to change overnight. Keeping an older car running at least makes owners like me feel a little noble about not having bought a brand new car, and the potentially-damaging environmental manufacturing processes and by-products that go with it. That’s not to also mention the spares and repair specialists being kept in work.
Invariably, older cars can also have more ‘character’ than newer ones, and, if their owners are enthusiasts, can give a great sense of satisfaction and pride.
So, maybe this little automotive piece of communist history is worth a second look. It has charmed thousands of owners, and, I can see why. Though not in production any more, against the odds, it survives.
And besides, I think the estate-like ‘Universal’ models have a certain utilitarian coolness about them.
Happy 50th, Trabi.