Once a symbol of East German ingenuity, the Trabant is a vehicle that holds a special place in automotive history. Known affectionately as the “Trabi,” this modest car was not just a means of transportation; it was a ticket to mobility for millions behind the Iron Curtain.
The Trabant’s journey began in 1957, produced by VEB Sachsenring Automobilwerke Zwickau. It was a car for the people, making automobile ownership accessible to the masses in the Eastern bloc. Over the years, approximately 3.7 million Trabants were produced.
But what truly set the Trabant apart was its construction. The Trabi’s body was made of Duroplast, a form of plastic containing recycled cotton waste from the Soviet Union and phenol resins from the East German dye industry. This material choice led to the Trabant being dubbed the “paper Jaguar,” although it was far from being made of paper.
Today, the Trabant is a rare sight, with its value as a collector’s item on the rise. The once ubiquitous car has become an oldtimer, with its scarcity contributing to its charm and increasing worth. A blue combi Trabi, like the one I have captured in Prague, is not just a vehicle; it’s a piece of history, a relic of a bygone era that continues to fascinate and inspire.
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