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Topic starter
14/09/2025 2:41 pm
I was absent on the forum for some time but now I'm with you and glad to add new topic in our favourite 1/43 scale.
In previous posts I promised to expand a topic about DDR cars. And now I have new arrivsl to collection- 1957 Wartburg 313 Sport by Atlas.
This stylish roadster was introduced in 1957 in Leipzig. The car was equipped with 50 h.p. 3 cylinder 1 litre engine completed with 3 carburators. Maximum speed- 140 km/h. Of course these results weren't very high even in that time but weren't bad for the car which had 2 tact engine.
All cars were painted into 2 colors- red or white. In the Eastern block Wartburg 313 Sport and Skoda Felicia were unique representators of sport cars during 50- 60s. The main purpose of Wartburg 313 was export. From 1957 till 1960 only 469 units were produced. 8 cars were exported to USA, others to European countries.
Without any doubt it has magnificent design and looks very stylish.
1/43 copy of Wartburg 313 Sport was made by Atlas partwork in the series of DDR cars.This is nice and neat replica painted in red color and envisaged with whitewalls. Podium has imitation of the wood and nice badge with a name of the model. Details are rather accurate.
Conclusion- nice and neat replica by a reasonable price.
14/09/2025 8:30 pm
@chris
I saw several of these pre Covid when I was in Germany. In the 1950s, 50hp was very common in Europe but cars still seemed to travel quickly. My MGTD was about 50hp and the VW Beetle was less as was the Morris Minor and Austin 30.
Topic starter
15/09/2025 12:13 am
@chrisYes of course. 50 h.p is too little power for sport car even for that time. Unfortunately, DDR had a real problems to produce contrmporary engine. Basic engine for saloon Wartburg 311 was based on pre- war 2 tact DKW. In 1958 basic power was 45 h.p. For sport roadster engineers could increase it to 50 h.p. but it was maximum for obsolete condtruction.
Very interesting that DDR went on using obdolete 2 tact engines on all its passenger cars till 1988!
Only after 1988 they started using Volkswagen engines for Wartburgs and Trabants.
15/09/2025 2:38 am
A fine historical look at this good-looking automobile. It definitely makes for a terrific replica, as we see here.
15/09/2025 4:19 am
David, Fred.... I was never a speed freak, etc., but 50 hp for a passenger car - even a small one - is just downright dangerous! Not being able to merge or keep up with traffic is a frightening proposition. 😮 😮
15/09/2025 4:34 am
Made from 1998 to 2024, the Smart Fortwo vehicle produced by the Mercedes-Benz Group, made very low horse power numbers:
The engines are turbocharged with three cylinders. Originally the basic petrol engine was 599 cc, and came in three versions—33, 38 and 45 kW (45, 51 and 61 hp) (45 kW). The engine displacement was increased to 698 cc with the facelift in 2002, in 37 and 45 kW (50 and 61 hp) variants. The turbo-diesel engine had 799 cc displacement giving 30 kW (41 hp).
15/09/2025 6:57 am
Saw a Smart Car just the other day. I can't imagine who thought this was a "smart" idea for most driving conditions in the US.
15/09/2025 8:33 am
My niece has a Smart diesel and I have driven it a number of times. The automatic trans is sloooow shifting and it rides like a buckboard but I suppose for major heavy urban traffic use it suits a purpose. Not for me though....no way. They sure crash test well though! I recall when they were first introduced, I attended an accident where a man went off road right (fell asleep at the wheel) at highway speed in one, launched it and according to witnesses, dug in and did about 6 end-for-enders. When I arrived I was sure it was a fatality as at first glance there was nothing much left of it. All 4 wheels were detached and the body cladding was completely ruined and mostly detached as well. The good news is the "EGG" shaped driver's "cell" was unbent. The driver had just opened the door and stepped out....minor bruises only. I was IMPRESSED!
15/09/2025 8:39 am
Bob, I agree with you. I see it as acceptable ONLY in a small down-town city driving scenario. The name, though, is an amalgamation:Saw a Smart Car just the other day. I can't imagine who thought this was a "smart" idea for most driving conditions in the US.
The brand name Smart supposedly derives from its early history as a cooperative venture between Swatch and Mercedes: Swatch Mercedes ART.[10]
15/09/2025 8:44 am
I read about those exact trans problems in the earlier Smart cars. Supposedly they fixed them later on. The egg cell you speak of is spot on. Made with various components...."and prominent steel hemispherical safety-cell, which is marketed as the Tridion cell and can be ordered in a contrasting color to the vehicle's body panels."My niece has a Smart diesel and I have driven it a number of times. The automatic trans is sloooow shifting and it rides like a buckboard but I suppose for major heavy urban traffic use it suits a purpose. Not for me though....no way. They sure crash test well though! I recall when they were first introduced, I attended an accident where a man went off road right (fell asleep at the wheel) at highway speed in one, launched it and according to witnesses, dug in and did about 6 end-for-enders. When I arrived I was sure it was a fatality as at first glance there was nothing much left of it. All 4 wheels were detached and the body cladding was completely ruined and mostly detached as well. The good news is the "EGG" shaped driver's "cell" was unbent. The driver had just opened the door and stepped out....minor bruises only. I was IMPRESSED!
Shown here:
15/09/2025 8:57 am
Getting back to Fred's model - it is an excellent copy of the 1:1. It struck me as a look-alike to the Mercedes 190SL and, indeed, it was called, 'The East German answer to the M-B 300SL." Well nope, this is the '57 300 SL:
But look at just how much it resembles the 57 190SL:
15/09/2025 12:30 pm
Topic starter
15/09/2025 2:28 pm
I think that Wartburg 313 Sport has some features of Mercedes- Benz 300 SLR. In fact during 50- 60s Wartburg had many bodies in its range- standard saloon, 3 dr estste, 5 dr estate with a rear glass roof, coupe, convertible and sport roadster.
If you aren't against, we can open a special topic about DDR cars and discuss their history looking at 1/43 models. And of course, in future would be great to meet each other and to tell about models drinking a cup of tea or anything else.
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