It's been 25 years to the day since the Berlin wall fell

"If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent" (essextee)
11/09/2014 at 07:27 • Filed to: None

So let's post some Commie cars!

DISCUSSION (15)

pip bip - choose Corrour > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
11/09/2014 at 07:28

Kinja'd!!!

would like to drive one , just not own one

Hahayoustupidludditeshutupandgohandcrankyourmodeltalready > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
11/09/2014 at 07:47

Kinja'd!!!

GhostZ > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
11/09/2014 at 07:49

Gimme dat Zil

Kinja'd!!!

It seems to me that a lot of the pictures online of russian cars aren't photos, but they're drawings. I wonder if that has something to do with propaganda or a lack of cameras or something.

Kinja'd!!!

And as a celebration of post-communist europe, a Polish Vaporware concept!

Kinja'd!!!

Nate-964 > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
11/09/2014 at 08:07

I am very happy you posted this! I have a weird obsession with cars from the eastern bloc! I really want to get a Trabant! I check e-bay all the time to see one for sale in the states, but I have not found one yet. I am thinking of purchasing one from the U.K. I have seen several ones in good condition for only a couple thousand pounds...

Cé hé sin > GhostZ
11/09/2014 at 08:12

A rear engined V8 is the answer to many question

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Cé hé sin > Nate-964
11/09/2014 at 08:14

Lots of them here for less than that. Importing them is another matter of course.

Cé hé sin > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
11/09/2014 at 08:17

Rear engined Skoda that was at one time intended to be made with a front engine:

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duurtlang > Nate-964
11/09/2014 at 08:27

Why the UK? They're far more prevalent in their native Germany, and cheaper too I imagine. A language issue?

Anyway, what do you think one of those Trabants would be worth in the US? I'm setting up a slight side business exporting 25+ year old cars from my native the Netherlands (or Germany) to the US, and I wonder if a business case could be made for certain commie cars, like the Trabant.

Eazy-O > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
11/09/2014 at 08:33

Alrighty. From the Former Yugoslav Republic of Slovenia:

1947 Osredkar NAŠ

Kinja'd!!!

(nicknamed Gypsy (lady))

Jernej Kožar was a man of many callings in the automotive field, running a logistics and transport company, a mechanic's workshop and a driving school - and you thought there were no private enterprises in socialist/communist countries, ha.

In 1947 post-WWII Yugoslavia, cars were nigh impossible to buy new. So after salvaging some junked bits near the Italian border, he set about building a car for himself. It was based in part on a Tatra 57k light military transport suspension and subframe.

Bodywork by Karoserija (Coachwork) Osredkar. Lovro Osredkar was apparently a highly talented metalworker, nicknamed the "metal tailor". Sources point to either unibody or monocoque construction, being a big deal back in the day.

> 3 cylinder aircooled boxer, 23 hp (sounds odd, allegedly Tatra sourced)
> rear wheel drive
> 110 km/h / 69 mph top speed, 1050 kg / 2314 lbs curb weight

Won a few races, gave a few rides to Marshall Tito.

It changed hands a few times afterwards, the last known owner being a young enthusiast who sadly managed to mangle the diff and then let it to rot in a backyard somewhere in Montenegro.

Sadly, only the steering wheel remains, after the non-roadworthy car had been dumped into a karst cave along with a few metre thick layer of scrap.

Oh, and it was red. ;)