1976 Trabant 601 Review - The Most FAMOUS Car From East Germany!

[@diego001]

I see Trabi, I click.

[@DaRealRoachDoggJr]

Good boy.

[@EnthusiastCarHangar]

Warum?

[@diego001]

@@EnthusiastCarHangar Uns Amerikaner sind sehr fasziniert mit dem Trabi. Ich weiß nicht warum, aber es ist so.

[@stanwbaker]

@@diego001 Aside from the F-150 we never knew a vehicle that is all heart and not afraid of doing "the work". We will take a Trabbi now to do what our car makers refuse to do.

[@carllinden533]

Same, except this one is mine! It's a strange feeling I tell you

[@hofmannjoachim8817]

Some supplements: the plastic body was necessary due to lag of steel in communism. As the frame where the panels are fixed on was made of metal corrosion was a problem too. In the last two model years they offered a 1.1l 4 stroke engine instead the 2 stroke. They called it "Mummy with pace maker"

[@MRtucnakCZE]

On the contrary, the "plastic" body was made from low-grade soviet (recycled) cotton and despite the car having a metal frame underneath, the crash tests conducted after the fall of berlin wall favoured the Trabant in the contemporary tests. This ment each panel was made-to-fit, including doors (as a spare part). The only biggest downside, which was it's upside, was the panels, which did degraded, however were not recyclable. IFA Zwickau tried to push a successor to the Trabant p601, even going as far as making blueprints for the body, but the communist party has ruled out that the car industry was not something to be investing in (remember - the cars were selling out, years-long waiting lists and the export market was not filled). Suspiciously, the blueprints were locked/destroyed, and yet, years later, VW has "developed" their own new small car, looking almost exactly like the "future" trabi. Nonethanless, the engineers went to work again, and aware of the two-stroke disaster under the hood, set out to create much cleaner and fuel efficient powerplant. It was a three cylinder direct injected diesel engine, which seemed promising in a test prototype. This was yet again cancelled, due to the IFA purchasing a license for VW engines to mount into the Trabant/Wartburg (1.1/1.3L), and later the factory has been sold off to VW. Trabant is the epitome of Socialist Planned Economy, where car could live 30 years without a major change, losing it's market value and worsening the company's (or rather - the state's) financial reserves.

[@carllinden533]

Thank you for reviewing my Trabi so thoughtfully! It's now immortalized on my favorite place to spend time, KZbin.

[@tryourdelicioussoups9052]

its in great shape, loved seeing it!!! (i have a '65 in north carolina.)

[@McElroysMotors]

​@@tryourdelicioussoups9052 Mitch, is that you? :)

[@tryourdelicioussoups9052]

@ indeed it is :)

[@McElroysMotors]

@@tryourdelicioussoups9052 Small world! Its Nicholas from the Trabi gathering in DC!

[@neilfoster814]

I am from the UK, and I own a 1988 Trabant Kombi (estate). Mine has a fuel gauge as well as a 'stick', and a proper UK/US MPH speedometer. In 1990 when the Berlin wall came down, you couldn't give a Trabi away, but nowadays they are a cult car that you have to pay serious money for.

[@gaufrid1956]

Go Trabi Go! My favorite German language movie, Zack! When all those Trabis were going west on 11 November 1989, my Filipina wife would have just turned 25. She will be 60 this year. I remember that in the movie the Trabi was named "Georgy". How joyous the ending of the movie when Georgy has been rescued from a trash barge, has lost his roof, and is turned into a convertible. That composite material that the body was made from is the reason that many Trabants have survived, when most other cars of the same vintage have succumbed to rust in many countries. It's an example of what you do when you just use the materials you have. Of course, early SAAB vehicles also had two stroke air cooled engines, as did the early versions of the venerable Suzuki Jimny 4x4. Simple is good.

[@BobAbc0815]

8:21 Grown up as a Kid in East Germany i remember siting on the rear Seats, squezed betwen my Sister and my Brother, Lugage squezed into the Footroom, driving across the entire Country for a Vacation. Actualy surprisingly comfortable, provided you live in a more compact sized Country, like East Germany (perhaps a bit undersized for the US).

[@Kacpa2]

It actually got a VW Golf 1.1L engine between 1989 and 1991 briefly as an adhoc "upgrade". It was called Trabant 1.1

[@MaxMicron]

A few interesting observations I have about this particular Trabi: - The bumpers must have been replaced at some point. 1970s bumpers had different overrriders. It was a common practice with Trabis to "update" cars with newer elements and the factory always designed updated parts in such a way that would fit older cars, plug and play. Of course today parts that are period correct for older examples have become very sought after - The economy gauge in this car is a later addition. The gauge was developed sometime in the 1980s as a cheaper alternative to an aftermarket fuel gauge that also fits in this spot in the dashboard. The fuel gauge was available for the entire production period but it was seldom fitted and never from the factory, only aftermarket. Later in production Trabis made in higher trim levels (yes there were trim levels) would come with the economy gauge fitted - Speaking of trim levels, the 601 Hycomat (semi auto) was only available in base trim. Because of that this Trabi has a different dashboard than most of its contemporaries. This older style of dashboard from the 60s was still used for base models until 1977 or 1978, while a newer, padded design was used for medium and top of the line . Differences like that were the reason Trabi had 4 trim levels, despite being a very basic car. Most Trabants made during the 70s were of the medium-tier 601S model so the non-padded dashboard wasn't used too often. Today basic 601 cars that still have these older, "hard" dashboards are very difficult to come by since most of them were replaced by owners and thrown away at some point - If anyone's wondering why the interior colors are so mismatched, it's probably because the seats and door inserts were replaced. Reddish brown cloth you see on the seats was used in the 80s on Deluxe models. Yellow/brown herringbone cloth on the rear door cards is from the same period, but cheaper trim, so the interior might even be from 2 different cars. This car most likely left the factory with a grey and black cloth interior, as most Trabants did in the mid 70s (except for the Deluxe which had a fully leatherette interior in brown before it got replaced with brown cloth). Once again the seats and door cards are easy to replace on your own and many owners did that, even multiple times. If you want to restore a Trabi interior properly you're in for a challenge because there were at least 8 styles over the years - That thing in the middle of the dashboard is indeed a radio blanking plate. There were dedicated radios made for Trabant in the GDR since it's a non-standard size (slightly smaller than the norm). Eastern Germany was decently advanced in electronics so Trabi radios had FM and automatic frequency control, just like radios for other European cars at the time. Of course the radio wasn't standard on any of the trim levels:)

[@OmarDenarzi]

Hands down, This is the best Trabant review video on KZbin, It's thorough, Clear and very amusing to watch with a fun vibe, It's even better than Doug Demuro's review (IMO) ❤.

[@MadMaxMiller64]

I second that. Grew up in Trabi land.

[@CathyHolton-jh1xv]

In 1992-1993, U2 started their “ZooTV” Tour. Because their most recent album they recorded was recorded in East Berlin, just after the fall of Communism, they took the aesthetic of the old Berlin with them onto the tour. They hanged actual Trabants from the ceiling of the stadiums and venues and used their headlights as stage lights. It was an interesting thing to see.

[@losefast118]

Achtung Baby! First thing that popped into my head haha

[@JohnnyRoku]

The way you talk about the history of these cars with a personal touch of the type of people who would have driven these cars with their stories explained by you really drives home the feeling of what those people felt back in the day. In your reviews you always explain these stories the best Zack!

[@Doctor_Robert]

Y'all really knocked it out of the park with those final thoughts! I think you hit the nail on the head on why I love and respect all cars: they're trying--they might even be happy--despite whatever the limitations of the time and place they came from were. 😊

[@bhumiriady]

Been waiting for the video of the Trabant and all I can say is, it's well worth the wait!

[@Foxonian]

The body is made of a substance called 'Duroplast" which is essentially mostly cotton and paper put into a hydraulic press to make body panels.

[@dennisyoung4631]

“…high-grade dryer lint,” if I go by the video I saw of when they were making these.

[@BobAbc0815]

Cotton and Phenolic Resin

[@wolfgangweber9924]

I like your take on the Trabi and I envy you for having driven one! You mentioned the Trabi and the Mini as early massproduced FWD cars. Don't forget Citroen with the Traction Avant which literally means FWD and the 2CV. I believe DKW was early as well. In the US it was the Cord L 29 that boasted FWD. It was hardly an affordable car though.

[@carllinden533]

I specifically suggested him to mention the Austin Mini due to them both featuring a *transverse* *engine* FWD layout. A standard used everywhere today

[@KellerEdward]

First good review of a Trabant by an American. Well done. I am an American too and own one of these cars. They strangely work very well despite the shoddy build quality and outdated design. Mine was made in June 1990 and is almost exactly the same as this earlier model. You said that the car is strangely joyful which is a very good description. I always say that this car is proof positive that the East German state could almost crush the human spirit, but it could not crush the driving spirit. Oddly these cars are very fun to drive if they work well. I love mine!

[@tryourdelicioussoups9052]

you have a 1.1 in the US? that's amazing.

[@MadMaxMiller64]

Wow thanks for a few minutes of memory. I grew up there! Very nicely spoken!

[@Drmcclung]

Did you also know that (and hopefully somebody else hasn't already beaten me to it!): The reason several 2-stroke cars like Trabants, Saabs, etc have a freewheeling clutch and can't engine brake is by design.. is to prevent the "engine overspeed, throttle closed" condition.. to maintain constant, safe engine lubrication. Because of the total loss oiling system inherent to 2-stroke gassers lets say you're driving down hill and you downshift using the engine to maintain slower speeds while staying the brakes, you've got your foot off the gas, throttle closed with the engine turning 2k+ without any fuel/oil mix but revs are slowing climbing as the vehicle accelerates downhill, throttle still closed, in idle position, choking off lube supply, as you do in a regular 4-stroke.. But this would swiftly destroy a 2-stroke without that freewheeling clutch option (but not all had one, you just had to know what you had and how to use it)

[@Foxonian]

The engine is a pre-WWII DKW design. This was due to the Zawicku plant where all of the Auto Union cars (including DKW) were made being captured by the Soviets at the end of WWII. Ironically today, VW/Audi (the successor to Auto Union) reacquired the Zawicku plant some years ago to make VW's.

[@eS._Te]

greetings from east germany =)

[@EnthusiastCarHangar]

Zwickau? 😉

[@eS._Te]

@@EnthusiastCarHangar KMST

[@Innochamp]

I was born in the former GDR our family car was a white 601 and now I own a pristine „babyblue“ 1988 601. Nice video and thanks for not bullying the little car.

[@christopherarmitage1030]

Such a spirited, joyful and mmmm...charitable review of this mmmm...practical vehicle. Thanks for that!

[@insid3493]

Oh yeah baby! I've been waiting for this one! 🔥🗣️

[@ShootingCars]

Thank you!

[@insid3493]

@@ShootingCars yessir! These cars were so basic that they came with an odometer as an option

[@PrekiFromPoland]

Those MPH speeds sticked onto the speedometer's glass add so much charm to this particular car. I mean, the car is already a very makeshift design, so this "mod" feels like at home.

[@Tuxedorunner]

I’ve seen the “QC” videos of them getting built 😂😂 everything had to be beatin to fit right.

[@stoneylonesome4062]

I always have a love for Mid-20th century economy cars. Especially ones with air-cooled and 2-stroke engines.

[@C.game0]

The trabi is my favourite car, and my favourite thing ever made. I saw a trabant, and I clicked

[@antesosic1600]

The trabi is one of my dream cars, genuinl, if i had to pick one it would be this exact spec, exept id love a white roof

[@iana6713]

Former Trabant owner here - driving a Trabi is a unique experience, and that column-mounted gearshift is actually easier to use than you might think. It looks really odd, at first, but it soon becomes intuitive. They are such characterful little cars, and a true piece of history - when they first appeared at the back end of the '50's they were pretty up to date, but the government constantly denied the funding to upgrade the plant where they were built to produce new models. (Which were on the cards, as they had prototypes ready to go which were as good as anything in the West at the time, but Berlin kept saying "nein".)

[@McElroysMotors]

Heyyy Ian! I am not surprised to see you here!!

[@iana6713]

​@@McElroysMotors Oh yes! If I see a Trabi review, I definitely watch it!

[@michaelharrison1172]

One of the vehicles I still want to own!

[@artemusprine]

Digging what you focus on, that you actually look at the damn thing.

[@bokexd3173]

keep it up with these classics!

[@davidp2888]

This and a Citroen Deux Chevaux would be part of my dream garage.

[@McElroysMotors]

I own a Trabant in Ohio. I agree with Zack, lots of terror and fun!

[@bazilwreckerloughead]

I always thought the Trabis were *cute* little cars!

[@christophersmith1155]

i remember this well. i lived in germany in the 1980s

[@nobatteriesincluded3968]

Amazing oratorical skills dude cool review ✅💯

[@Nick_Platt2025]

I love these things i have a model trabant on my desk

[@morgangallowglass8668]

One of my bucket list cars!

[@ModelA]

Zack saying two bones in his body were very happy floored me

[@radu0gheorghe]

That's cute: going to get bread, or to work or to school.... no, I don't think people with Trabants would do any of these back in the day. More like for emergency use and for vacation, I think. But nice review, thanks for it!

[@James-mw6se]

I enjoy watching the video take care 😊🙂

[@dennisyoung4631]

“…such Cute little buzz-bombs….” If I had the funds to buy one, I would.

[@Trabantusachannel]

Nice video! 🚙💨🇺🇸

[@Doctor_Robert]

3:50 Citroen Traction Avant wants to know your location... and the 2CV... and the DS...

[@carllinden533]

He did say one of the first. I will say it may be *the* first with a transverse engine FWD. If you count the DKW F series the grandfathers to the Trabant it's definitely the first with the transverse setup we use today.

[@rm9sbg93zxjzg]

I rode in one as a kid. My aunts friend had one and was a total POS, but it did take you there, if it did not break down

[@MrJayrock620]

They still didn’t want you to have too much freedom. You still were issued fuel stamps to get fuel based on your status, employment and vehicle. But I also heard these will run on home brew so there’s always that.

[@carexpertandy]

There’s one of these on display at the Air Force Museum in Dayton, Ohio. I believe it’s still there?

[@ItsTheCostanza]

The car you see in every 80s German music video

[@marvin4827]

It's the American speeds that got me dude..😂😂 The body was made of compressed cloth/wool & resin called Duroplast. Rust free.

[@travelingwithrick]

Cool, little car. It's a small 2 stroke. The owner should use non ethanol gas only. Just like any small engine.

[@cipdamboianu5139]

Made of Duroplast: the same stuff toilet seats are made of!

[@andrewdouglas3091]

You should look up a 80’s or 90’s movie called Go Trabbie Go. It’s hilarious and there’s boobies.

[@BobAbc0815]

90s, it was made after the Reunification.

[@eS._Te]

if you lived in a big town in east germany, you saw VWs, Mazdas and Citroen CXs quite often, just to let you know

[@hofmannjoachim8817]

You could even buy them if you had the money or people in west Germany who buy it for you. Mazda 323 and VW Golf and some citroen were available I guess

[@EnthusiastCarHangar]

The wealthy ones with connections to the west drove those and the higher up in politics as well. Honecker drove a Volvo, Citroën, Mercedes, you name it. But the normal people had not much to pick from. 😕

[@BobAbc0815]

If you where realy desperate you could even get a Dacia.

[@mrdaykurutakuchannel]

The Spy x Family mobile!

[@kg5radio716]

Interesting fact: these were some of the last cars to use a 6 volt electric system, all the way until 1984.

[@scooterp7009]

I need one.

[@tadhgwright4345]

Very nice!

[@_wave64_]

1:47 "A lot of people don't know this about the Trabant". Well, if you've ever owned a Trabant, you'd certainly knew about it :) It was just not a common vehicle in the U.S. on the east coast during cold war.

[@dave11686]

So cool

[@James-mw6se]

11:00 😊

[@musicmusic6788]

Greetings From Comunist Canada 🇨🇦

[@EnricoPonco]

😊 nice small car

[@cletuskasady593]

Why does Zach insist on entering coupes from the driver side 🤦🏿‍♂️🤦🏿‍♂️ no one does that .

[@damilolaakanni]

He's not the only one that does this though. When Doug Demuro used to climb into the back seats of coupes (he doesn't do it anymore for some unknown reason), he did that as well.

[@cletuskasady593]

@@damilolaakanni bro, I’m talking bout in real life. Not no KZbin. Damn people so damn AI NPC

[@mazduh07kc]

Curious on why that matters?

[@cletuskasady593]

@@mazduh07kc it’s just a thing. No passenger ever enters a coupe through the driver side. It’s always the passenger side. Unless there’s no other choice.

[@sanduovidiu0304]

( Și Doug Demuro a filmat un Trabant 601s ) And Doug Demuro has been filmed a Trabant 601 S

[@bwofficial1776]

You have to love these Communist low-tech solutions to simple problems. The Trabant served an important purpose as it beat taking the bus. It was not a good car but it was a car and that's what mattered. These are easy to fix so that helped. The Citroen 2CV can probably take the claim of the first mass-produced FWD car, if not the Citroen Traction Avant. There were others as well but the 2CV was the most popular up to that point.

[@BrokenAdam770]

06:40 BIG FRIGGIN BOTTLE FAIL!!!

[@victorbaird8220]

Did you have a good day today 😊

[@michaelcoffey7362]

Neat 😀

[@gentle285]

"Oh those are crappy little cars from a terrible country. It's really not the case". Living in an ex-communist country, I can safely say, IT IS the case. These were not popular because they were good. They were popular because this is all you get to have and make do with, and also because it was by far the cheapest option on a VERY short list. But I get why Western countries why find it fascinating.

[@artemusprine]

For the love of god, don't hurt yourself!

[@artemusprine]

Dryer lint, pocket fuzz, a sock... I'm more interested in barely cars that change lives... Cars like this.

[@althunder4269]

It's the commie version of the Beetle.

[@juanmiguelona1434]

Big friggin bottle

[@JoshiJosho-mf8oi]

Looks like Mr Peabody's car.

[@AlainPierrelouis-lu2hh]

BETTER THAN THE PLASTIC CRAPS OF TODAY

[@franzupet4406]

I love DDR

[@rickjames6867]

The car you give the teenager who got their Charger taken away for excessive speeding.

[@jb5nf]

I mean, did you really have to rape the miles with tape over the kilometers in the speedometer? Is it so difficult to remember? But thanks though

[@cletuskasady593]

A nice K swap with boost with rsx tranny will do this platform just nice!

[@matti38]

Do you know what you can make with the loops on the b-pillar? Do you have a girlfriend? ;-) Greetings from East-Germany /ExGDR

[@mariazavala-miranda796]

Who's here because of Hilda?

[@speedfiend925]

That awkward moment when the reviewer talks about someone from a Communist country being on a list without any sense of irony. LOL! 😁

[@davinp]

I think is like the car Mr. Bean drove on his show in the 1990s. His actual car was a 1977 British Leyland Mini 1000 Mark 4

[@bwofficial1776]

Mr. Bean's car was a Mini. Rowan Atkinson is a known car guy.

[@adambuesser6264]

Are their better cars from the communist era?

[@2Kriss2Kross]

Ladas and Uaz’s from Russia especially their off-roaders are known for being really robust, easy to service, and reliable.

[@gentle285]

This was the cheapest car in that era, so everything else was better. Wartburg, Skoda, Tatra, Lada...

[@bwofficial1776]

Yes. Tatras were works of engineering art.

[@BobAbc0815]

Wartburg would be next step up Market/the waiting List.