Questions about the Trabi? You can find help here!

Is your Trabant’s starter not working? Or did the alternator get lost along the way and now you need a new one? In cases like these, the newly founded Trabi Competence Center will be there to help. “We’re a handful of people spread out across Thuringia, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, and Saxony-Anhalt,” says Rolf Becker, who is better known beyond the city limits of his hometown of Halle as “D-Rolf” or “Barrel Organ Rolf.” Similar centers already exist for the weather or wolves, he says. “But who’s more important? The Trabis or the wolves? Even little kids love Trabis. It’s something that thrills the masses,” says the globetrotter with a grin on his face. 

The idea came to him one evening—after his fourth shot of schnapps, “D-Rolf” reports. His goal is to create an archive of true enthusiasts, based on their own experiences—in other words, on knowledge that can’t simply be gleaned from books.

Learning from the Old-Timers

Among fans of the GDR classic car, two groups of new drivers have recently joined the ranks of the experienced ones, according to Becker’s observation. “In addition to the old-timers, for the past few years there have also been young people and those who have a lot of money, who buy luxury Trabis and drive them to meetups. These cars have very expensive paint jobs, chrome parts, and a custom-fitted headliner—just like they came from the factory.”

Among other things, the plan is for the new center to have its own website. But the Trabi experts also want to be available by phone to answer questions. “If you have a problem, you can call us,” says Becker. “We’ll put you in touch with people who can help. Or we’ll look for replacement parts if something is needed.”

Special Tips and Tricks

Production of the Trabi stopped 35 years ago. According to the Federal Motor Transport Authority, however, 41,862 of the cars built at the Sachsenring in Zwickau through 1991 were still registered at the beginning of this year. A few more are likely lying dormant in garages or storage facilities without registration.

Becker and the other enthusiasts also want to pass on their knowledge of special tips and tricks. “For example, there are situations where the Trabi won’t start until you turn the ignition back. Or how you can tell that the battery needs to be recharged so the car will start,” said Becker.

They also plan to collect items. “For example, we want to collect Trabi books from household clear-outs that actually contain useful information. There are quite a few out there now that aren’t very good,” says the Halle native, who has already taken several trips to distant countries with his ‘Rennpappe.’ But beyond that, everything related to the GDR’s most famous car is to be gathered and presented.