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Recently updated on October 24, 2023 at 02:45 am
[Update: 24.10.2023] This post was updatedto take more recent information into account. The cult car from the GDR, the Trabant, is experiencing a revival again in 2023. There are numerous Trabant meetings (Trabbi meetings) taking place in Germany this year, where lovers of the iconic vehicles come together to present their treasures and reminisce together. It is possible that there will be further Trabant meetings in Germany and internationally. The popularity of the Trabi as a cult car has increased significantly in recent years, and more and more people are organizing local or regional meetings to exchange ideas with like-minded people and to present the Trabbis.
Trabbi meeting 2023 / designations
Since there can be many smaller, local events that are not necessarily promoted on a national level, we recommend looking for Trabant meetups in your own region or checking out online groups and forums for Trabant enthusiasts. There you often find out about events that may not be listed in national event calendars.
| designation | designation |
|---|---|
| cardboard fever | Ostalgie meeting |
| Erich's heirs | Cardboard on tour |
| Trabi parade | Two-stroke rush |
| Trabant Safari | Trabi convoy |
| GDR cult tour | Blue Lightning Rally |
Trabant meetings are also held regularly in other countries, particularly in Eastern Europe. In the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary and Slovakia there is also a lively Trabant community that regularly organizes events related to the cult car. To stay informed about further Trabant meetings, one can also use social media like Facebook or Instagram to find groups and pages dealing with the Trabant. The following is an overview of the most important events:
- 6 May 2023: Trabant meeting in Eberswalde
The first big Trabant meeting of the year takes place on May 6th in Eberswalde, Brandenburg. This is where lovers of the small GDR cars come together to exhibit their vehicles, exchange experiences and have fun together.
- 3rd-4th June 2023: International Trabant meeting in Anklam
The international Trabant meeting in Anklam, Mecklenburg-West Pomerania, is one of the largest Trabbi meetings in Europe. Fans from all over Germany and the neighboring countries meet here to present their Trabis and celebrate together.
- 1st-2nd July 2023: Trabant meeting in Zwickau
In Zwickau, Saxony, the birthplace of the Trabbi, the traditional Trabant meeting takes place on the first weekend in July. In addition to the vehicles on display, there is also a supporting program with music, food and other attractions.
- 18-20 August 2023: Trabi weekend in Berlin
The Trabi Weekend in Berlin is a three-day festival all about the cult car. Not only exhibitions take place here, but also guided tours through the city in Trabis, lectures on the history of the vehicle and much more.
- September 2023: Trabant meeting in Chemnitz
The Trabant meeting in Chemnitz, Saxony, also offers a platform for Trabbi enthusiasts to exhibit their vehicles and exchange views on the history of the cult car.
- June 2023: Trabant meeting in Dresden
Another Trabant meeting will be held in Dresden, Saxony, in June. Fans can present their vehicles, exchange ideas and take part in guided tours through the city.
- 22-23 July 2023: Trabant meeting in Magdeburg
In Magdeburg, Saxony-Anhalt, a Trabant meeting will take place in July, where fans of the cult car will come together to exhibit their Trabbis and exchange views on the history of the vehicle.
- August 2023: Trabant meeting in Erfurt
In August, Trabbi fans meet in Erfurt, Thuringia, to present their vehicles and celebrate the fascination for the Trabant together.
- September 2023: Trabant meeting in Leipzig
Another Trabant meeting will be held in Leipzig, Saxony, in September. Here, lovers of the cult car have the opportunity to exhibit their vehicles and find out about the history and technology of the Trabis.
- October 2023: Trabant meeting in Rostock
The Trabant meeting in Rostock, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania rounds off the Trabi meeting season in 2023. Here, fans can present their vehicles and exchange ideas with other Trabi enthusiasts.
As event dates and locations can change at any time, it is advisable to check the specific event websites or social media for the exact details and requirements before attending a Trabant meetup.
Which models of the Trabant from the GDR were there?
The Trabant, the cult car from the GDR, was produced from 1958 to 1991. During this time there were different models and modifications of the Trabi. Here are the main Trabant models:
- Trabant P50: The first Trabant model was the P 50, which was produced from 1957 to 1962. It had a two-stroke engine with a displacement of 500 cc and 18 hp. The P 50 was available in a variety of body styles, including a sedan, station wagon, and Kübelwagen.
- Trabant 600: The Trabant 600 was manufactured from 1962 to 1964 and was a further development of the P 50. The vehicle had a slightly more powerful engine with a displacement of 600 cm³ and 23 hp.
- Trabant 601: The Trabant 601 was the best-known and longest-running model, manufactured from 1964 to 1991. It had a two-stroke engine with a displacement of 600 cc and 26 hp. The 601 was available as a sedan, station wagon (Universal) and Kübelwagen (Tramp). Various improvements and modifications were made over the production period, but the basic design remained unchanged.
- Trabant 1.1: The Trabant 1.1 was the last model in the Trabant series and was produced from 1990 to 1991. It was the only Trabant model with a four-stroke engine. The 1.1 had a 1,1-liter four-stroke Volkswagen engine with 40 hp and was available in sedan and station wagon body styles.
During the production period of the Trabant there were also various special models and limited editions, such as the Trabant 601 S (special request), which was available with additional features such as a heated rear window and other extras. Despite the variety of models and finishes, all Trabant models are known for their distinctive thermoset bodywork and simple, purposeful construction.
Other well-known passenger cars of the GDR!
In addition to the famous Trabant, there were other car models that were produced in the GDR. Here are some of the most famous vehicles:
- Wartburg 311: The Wartburg 311 was produced at the Eisenach automobile plant from 1956 to 1965. It was a spacious vehicle with a two-stroke engine and was offered in different body styles such as sedan, station wagon, coupe, cabriolet and even as a pickup truck.
- Wartburg 353: The Wartburg 353 replaced the 311 and was manufactured from 1966 to 1988. The vehicle also had a two-stroke engine and was available in different body styles. The Wartburg 353 was quite a modern car for its time and was also exported to many countries outside of the GDR.
- Barkas B 1000: The Barkas B 1000 was a pickup truck that was produced from 1961 to 1991 at VEB Barkas-Werke Karl-Marx-Stadt. It was the standard commercial vehicle in the GDR and was used for various purposes, such as transporter, ambulance, fire engine or police vehicle.
- IFA F8: The IFA F8 was a small car that was produced at the VEB Automobilwerk Zwickau from 1949 to 1955. It was the predecessor of the Trabant P 50 and was based on the pre-war DKW F8 model.
- IFA F9: The IFA F9 was a small passenger car that was produced from 1950 to 1956 at VEB Automobilwerk Eisenach and later at VEB Sachsenring Automobilwerke Zwickau. It was based on the DKW F9, which was developed before World War II but only went into production in East Germany after the war.
- Melkus RS 1000: The Melkus RS 1000 was a sports car produced from 1969 to 1980 by Melkus, a small manufacturer from Dresden. It was the only GDR sports car model and was produced in very small numbers. The Melkus RS 1000 had a Wartburg two-stroke engine and a GRP body.
| Vehicle | Vehicle |
|---|---|
| EMW 340 | IFA P2M |
| EMW 327 | IFA F8 station wagon |
| IFA H3A | IFA RDA |
| IFA S4000 | P50 prototype |
| Robur LO 2002 | P70 coupe |
| Multicar M25 | Samson Swallow |
| MZ TS 250 | Samson S50 |
All vehicles are now rare collector's items and testimonies to GDR automotive history.
Conclusion
- The Trabant Meetings 2023 offer fans and lovers of the GDR cult car numerous opportunities to exchange ideas with like-minded people and to revive the fascination for the Trabant. The various events offer a mixture of exhibitions, trips and supporting programs, so there should be something for every Trabbi fan.
FAQ about the Trabant meeting 2023 and beyond
1. What is special about the Trabant meeting in Zwickau?
- The Trabant meeting in Zwickau is particularly important because it... oldest Trabi meeting was in the birthplace of the legendary vehicles. It took place for almost 30 years and was organized by the Zwickau August Horch Museum.
2. Why is the oldest Trabi meeting in Zwickau no longer held?
- The organizers have decided to discontinue the meeting due to the decline in the number of participants in recent years. Recently it only took place every two years, and the number of participants had declined. In addition, that was International Trabi Meetings (ITT) The number of participants was exceeded by other events, especially the Zwickau Trabant and Eastern Vehicle Meeting.
3. Are there any other Trabant meetings in Zwickau?
- Yes, that still exists Zwickau Trabant and Eastern vehicle meeting, which has steadily increased in popularity in recent years. The last meeting took place from September 1st to 3rd, 2023 at the Zwickau airfield.
4. When and where will the Trabant meetings take place in 2024?
- 12.-14.07.2024: 23rd campsite meeting for Trabant and IFA friends in 38489 Rohrberg, Ahlumer See campsite.
- 02.-04.08.2024: 20th Trabant & IFA meeting Nossen in 01683 Nossen, Steinbuschstraße 8.
- 09.-11.08.2024: 5th Trabant & IFA meeting Bad Salzungen in 36433 Bad Salzungen.
5. How do Trabi fans react to the discontinuation of the oldest meeting?
- Many Trabi fans are disappointed with the decision. Comments on social networks, like on Facebook, express regret and sadness that such a traditional event is no longer taking place.
6. What is the history of the oldest Zwickau Trabi meeting?
- The first Zwickau Trabi meeting was held in 1994. From 1996 it was called the International Trabi Meeting. The event was so popular that traffic in the city regularly came to a standstill during the big final parades to the Zwickau airfield.
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