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General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Lotsokids on July 10, 2013, 02:57:45 PM

Title: Commie Car, Part II
Post by: Lotsokids on July 10, 2013, 02:57:45 PM
Last December following my accident, my wife bought me another Trabant. I've been feverishly working to make another '57 Chevy clone. I painted it red (rattle-canned) and it looked good. Then I messed up and sprayed on some clear coat which left streaks in it really bad. I've been wet-sanding with 1,000 grit sandpaper, then I'll follow that with buffing. That's a LOT of work! The photo below was taken today. I still need to paint the roof white, and add chrome pin striping into the rear white fin area. It's going to look cool when it's done. I get a lot of stares already. I waited to register the car because I changed the color from tan. Otherwise I would need to re-register.

Yes, it's the original 2-stroke 600cc engine. I need to mix the fuel and oil when I refuel. The fuel tank is under the hood. No fuel gauge either, but I HAVE A RESERVE switch under the dash... just like a motorcycle. It came stock with a dipstick near the fuel tank. :wacko2:

Bringing a little liberty to this formerly Communist country. :biggrin:

(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y177/Lotsokids/Trabant/07102013116_zps200d1d9a.jpg)
Title: Re: Commie Car, Part II
Post by: movenon on July 10, 2013, 03:42:03 PM
Quote from: Lotsokids on July 10, 2013, 02:57:45 PM
Last December following my accident, my wife bought me another Trabant. I've been feverishly working to make another '57 Chevy clone. I painted it red (rattle-canned) and it looked good. Then I messed up and sprayed on some clear coat which left streaks in it really bad. I've been wet-sanding with 1,000 grit sandpaper, then I'll follow that with buffing. That's a LOT of work! The photo below was taken today. I still need to paint the roof white, and add chrome pin striping into the rear white fin area. It's going to look cool when it's done. I get a lot of stares already. I waited to register the car because I changed the color from tan. Otherwise I would need to re-register.

Yes, it's the original 2-stroke 600cc engine. I need to mix the fuel and oil when I refuel. The fuel tank is under the hood. No fuel gauge either, but I HAVE A RESERVE switch under the dash... just like a motorcycle. It came stock with a dipstick near the fuel tank. :wacko2:

Bringing a little liberty to this formerly Communist country. :biggrin:

(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y177/Lotsokids/Trabant/07102013116_zps200d1d9a.jpg)



You need a 57 chev hood ornament. And paint the grill gold..... :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: And some spinners for the hub caps.....
George
Title: Re: Commie Car, Part II
Post by: pdxfj on July 10, 2013, 05:30:33 PM
OK..that's hilarious!!!  Love it!
Title: Re: Commie Car, Part II
Post by: spsmith_fj1200 on July 10, 2013, 06:27:22 PM
I like it.  Good to see that your recovery is going well.
Title: Re: Commie Car, Part II
Post by: baldy3853 on July 10, 2013, 06:41:58 PM
Quote from: Lotsokids on July 10, 2013, 02:57:45 PM
Last December following my accident, my wife bought me another Trabant. I've been feverishly working to make another '57 Chevy clone. I painted it red (rattle-canned) and it looked good. Then I messed up and sprayed on some clear coat which left streaks in it really bad. I've been wet-sanding with 1,000 grit sandpaper, then I'll follow that with buffing. That's a LOT of work! The photo below was taken today. I still need to paint the roof white, and add chrome pin striping into the rear white fin area. It's going to look cool when it's done. I get a lot of stares already. I waited to register the car because I changed the color from tan. Otherwise I would need to re-register.

Yes, it's the original 2-stroke 600cc engine. I need to mix the fuel and oil when I refuel. The fuel tank is under the hood. No fuel gauge either, but I HAVE A RESERVE switch under the dash... just like a motorcycle. It came stock with a dipstick near the fuel tank. :wacko2:

Bringing a little liberty to this formerly Communist country. :biggrin:

(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y177/Lotsokids/Trabant/07102013116_zps200d1d9a.jpg)
Be no hiding that if you run a red light camera or run thru a speed trap  :rofl2: :rofl2:, I also see you have the dice hanging from the rear view mirror would look better if they were the big black and white ones  :biggrin: :lol:
Baldy
Title: Re: Commie Car, Part II
Post by: FJmonkey on July 10, 2013, 07:14:44 PM
Keep that one away from low hanging cables.
Title: Re: Commie Car, Part II
Post by: aviationfred on July 10, 2013, 07:18:06 PM
I like the little touch of the mini-fuzzy dice hanging from the mirror.... Now that is American.  :good2:
Title: Re: Commie Car, Part II
Post by: racerman_27410 on July 10, 2013, 10:47:44 PM
 :good2:   Looking sharp Mark!
Title: Re: Commie Car, Part II
Post by: andyb on July 11, 2013, 08:02:10 AM
Were those cars the ones made from cotton?  I remember hearing somewhere that the Trabants were made from that at one time, how, I have no clue.

As for a modification, maybe consider adding struts connecting the roof to the middle of the hood, to shove any cables out of harm's way?  Sure looks neat though.
Title: Re: Commie Car, Part II
Post by: Lotsokids on July 11, 2013, 02:50:21 PM
Quote from: andyb on July 11, 2013, 08:02:10 AM
Were those cars the ones made from cotton?  I remember hearing somewhere that the Trabants were made from that at one time, how, I have no clue.

Yes. Cotton and plastic resin called Duroplast.

Here's everything you ever wanted to know about the Trabant in about 7 minutes:

Back in time with the Trabant 601 | Drive it! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1ZbFdRVces#ws)