Produced for over 30 years, the Trabant was a small, East German car, known for
it's dull colour scheme and cramped, uncomfortable ride.
Powered by a 25hp, 600cc (37 cu in) two-stroke engine, it took 21 seconds to
accelerate from zero to its top speed of 100 km/h (62 mph). It had no
tachometer, no indicators for either headlights nor turn signals, no fuel gauge
(a dipstick was inserted into the tank to determine the fuel level) and no rear
seat belts. Drivers had to pour a mix of gasoline and oil directly into the
fuel tank, which was located above the engine so the fuel would flow to the
engine by gravity, thus eliminating any need for a fuel pump. Of course, this
arrangement greatly increased the risk of a fire, in the event of a front-end
collision.
The Trabant had a steel frame, with the roof, trunk lid, hood (boot lid &
bonnet, if you prefer), fenders and doors made of duroplast, a hard plastic
made from recycled cotton waste from the Soviet Union and phenol resins from
the East German dye industry. The material was durable, giving the car an
average lifespan of 28 years.
The average worker had to wait ten to thirteen years for a Trabi. Or, if
available, pay more than double for a second hand model!
In short, the Trabant was loud, uncomfortable, slow, poorly designed, and badly
built - with atrocious reliability. It's only saving grace was that it was
designed to be repaired by it's owner with only simple hand tools.
So you can imagine our surprise to see several Trabi's shuttling about Budapest
as taxis!
Further investigation showed that they were "fake" taxis, which can be rented
for touring the town. They travel in convoys, with a guide in the lead car,
who can be heard in the other cars via radio. And it seems that the firm is
doing a thriving trade!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/155735425@N05/
David.
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