Weird Communist Cars

John, I would like to formally request that this post be removed.  I had no issue with the clip until it profiled the Trabant; which  of course has occasionally been our much sought after "Forum Quiz" prize in the past two years.  The other cars discussed were definitely garbage but for the narrator to defile the Trabant is outrageous....plus there was no mention whatsoever of our particular prize model, the very rare 1-horsepower Trabant SS Sport Coupe.  The narrative is suspiciously unqualified, misleading and biased; leaving me to wonder if this is in fact a Pinko Commie plot to undermine our world renowned "Forum".  I would hate to see the current level of frenzied response and participation by Forum members to our quizzes diminished in any way; especially by the defamation of such a truly classic car.  Respectfully submitted for consideration, Your Moderatorness.

What a defamation of a true classic. What a shocker!

Unreliable but then also rugged.....

Indeed from a different time and country.

But were our Opels, Fiats and Fords really much better ?

I still remember that rust-preventives were almost not existing back in the 70's...

And what about paint ?

Our 1977 Mini was getting more and more blackened body-panels as time went by.

Luckily the engine was quite good, but normally British engines were notorious for their excessive oil-consumption.

Last year I wondered if it would be nice to have a Mini again, only to find out that right until the end, they just couldn't get the rust under controle.

And many newer Minis had engine-overhauls....

But if you think only English cars were bad, wait until you speak to a former Fiat or Lancia-owner.

People used to say these already rusted on the brochures, with electronics-issues not being solved after many, many years.

And I still remember a big Mercedes from the sixties suffering from excessive water-leakage.

In fact, Mercedes seems to have solved their rust-issues not so long ago.

@david-green  I know David; it is very upsetting indeed.  Here are pictures of our 2021 Forum Quiz prize winner enjoying the trip home after claiming his prize.  I don't recall his name at the moment....he is no longer on our membership role; not sure why.

Correct! No longer on our membership roles, so the frivolous suit filed by the remaining survivors of his family has no merit. 

Another cheap video offering ignorance for clicks.

Lol, what awful "cars" in a worker's paradise !

Posted by: @jkuvakas

Correct! No longer on our membership roles, so the frivolous suit filed by the remaining survivors of his family has no merit. 

Exactly JK!  The suit was frivolous and vexatious anyway; obviously a cash grab to cover the interment costs.  How could we have known Rosebud would bolt from traffic noise, into the path of that cargo van?  We are Forumites and businessmen, not veterinarians!   

Posted by: @chav

Another cheap video offering ignorance for clicks.

I agree Chav and I feel your rage.  Given that you are a previous Trabant owner I do sympathize.

At the risk of letting the cat out of the bag, the 2023 Forum Quiz prize was spotted by the photographer for Collectible Automobile being transported by our body shop crew from the swamp to the restoration shop for a minor refresh .  Those Forumites with a keen eye will notice that yes, it is the very rare Trabant station wagon and that the frame off resto stage is already complete.  Members, don't be surprised to find that a woody version is in the offing!

Nice work JD! Once the body shop is done buffing out those scratches and the authentic natural-looking wood grain applique is applied, we're anticipating the structural integrity of the body to be improved, not to mention the extra layer of insulation the applique will provide. Body shop foreman, Gosenski Wjorskiestski (Mac) says, "When I'm done with this restoration, this car will sink like the Titanic!" At least, that's what I think he said. Gosenski's English is not the easiest to understand.

Posted by: @jkuvakas

Nice work JD! Once the body shop is done buffing out those scratches and the authentic natural-looking wood grain applique is applied, we're anticipating the structural integrity of the body to be improved, not to mention the extra layer of insulation the applique will provide. Body shop foreman, Gosenski Wjorskiestski (Mac) says, "When I'm done with this restoration, this car will sink like the Titanic!" At least, that's what I think he said. Gosenski's English is not the easiest to understand.

JK, I believe Mac actually said "only titanium will hold this stinker together."  Such a kidder!  It's true Mac's English is limited but he is magic with a body filler trowel.  Thankfully he has his assistant Sandy Bondo to translate.  Sandy has also recruited red seal metal fabricator Weldon Myassoff from the old country, so no worries about body rigidity with this project. Btw....I caught a mega sale at Lowe's on 3/8ths sanded-one-side plywood, so it's gonna be a true woody, no applique!  Keep that between us for now please.

Posted by: @jack-dodds

Posted by: @chav

Another cheap video offering ignorance for clicks.

I agree Chav and I feel your rage.  Given that you are a previous Trabant owner I do sympathize.

"rage"?, I am just helping you select meaningful content to watch. While Trabant was a really bad car by any standard, so many people who drove it have a special place in their hearts for it because it also thought them important life lessons: resilience, frugality, mechanical skills, patience, humility, delayed gratification etc. I actually never owned the Trabi, it was one of the cars my father owned and gave me to drive after my Lada was stollen, drove it for 2 years until we moved to the States in 1999. I drove Trabi not by choice but by necessity, but I didn't hate it and I was tankful to my father.

@chav Well......I did recall your Trabant comments from weeks ago and I got the impression that you had fond memories of the experience.  I may have overstated your response for dramatic effect.  I am wracked with remorse and formally apologize.  To make amends, if I happen to win a Forum Quiz this year I will put your name into the revolving drum in place of mine.  Now I feel better.