Description
"EAST GERMAN AUDI"
Very Rare Car only a handful on UK roads.
Wartburg is an East German automotive brand used for cars manufactured at VEB Automobilwerk Eisenach. Origins of the brand date back to 1898. The name derives from Wartburg Castle on one of the hills overlooking the town of Eisenach where the cars were made. From the 1950s until the late 1980s, Wartburgs featured a three-cylinder two-stroke engine with only seven major moving parts (three pistons, three connecting rods and one crankshaft). By the 1980s, needless to say, the two-stroke engines of the Wartburg and Trabant had become very obsolete, and environmentally unfriendly, with their perpetual plume of blue smoke trailing behind. Fuel economy was also sub-par. In 1988, Volkswagen offered to move a surplus engine manufacturing line to East Germany. That engine was the Audi-designed EA111 small four-cylinder OHC four, originally designed for the Audi 50, which also became the VW Polo. It was still a very modern unit by then, and had a long life in a variety of VW cars, including the European version of the Golf.
Watburg 353 1. 3
A 1. 3 L version making a modest 64hp was installed in place of the two-stroke, and gave the now-named Wartburg 353 1. 3 a new lease on life, beginning in 1988. But the collapse of the Iron Curtain and re-unification of Germany quickly made the Wartburg and Trabant–which also got a 1. 1 L version of the same VW engine–irrelevant. The Wartburg soldiered on through 1991, and then the plug was pulled. The Eisenach factory was acquired by Opel shortly after.
“The East German Audi”, You assumed this was a two-stroke Wartburg, and based it on the historical connection to DKW. But since this turned out to be a 353 1. 3, and actually has an engine designed by Audi, the circle is really complete, and the title takes on additional meaning. Now back to the . Later they was installed with the VW 1. 3 Polo engine under license Production ended in April 1991, and the factory was acquired by Opel.
Originally imported by Indistria UK they went on to Import Mazda cars they were available as the Wartburg Knight in 2 stroke format powered by the legendary DKW engine. They continued on till 1991 but with a VW 1. 3 engine in the later years. Local imports to the UK were through specialist dealers as the main dealer was now importing MAZDA cars. I would have expected this 1990 car to be the same price as a basic VW polo but AUDI type Size. They Have a huge boot space and comfortably seat 4 people.
The Engine Factory was acquired by VW of which still stands today I believe. GENUINE BARN FIND SUPPLIED WITH 12 MONTHS MOT
I recently purchased 4 vehicles from a private collector that were all stored in a Barn, this is a very unique vehicle to obtain a LHD vehicle with super cool history any by far the coolest car out of the 4 Cars I purchased Only travelled a mere 54460 Miles from new its an excellent pedigree vehicle with no corrosion or Damage history, it was driven into the Barn 5 years ago for storage in 2019 Changes in circumstances of Family friend allowed me to purchase 4 vehicles from his collection of over 50 vehicles of which is downsizing considerably. I have had my eye on this Wartburg for a few years and admired its originality and patina in his Barn storage.
East German Nostalgia this 4 Door Body on Chassis car was the exclusive vehicle of choice by the communist government of east Germany. Only supplied during a 10 year waiting list to professions of a high level such as Solicitors doctors engineers etc, every one else got a Trabant if you was so lucky.
These vehicles were built to a High standard and were installed with a 1. 3 VW supplied Polo Golf engine at the end of their production run. Spare parts are easy to obtain from VW parts suppliers as a lot of the parts used were from the VW parts suppliers at the time engine gearbox drivetrain electrical components switch gear are all VW/ Skoda based.
This Barn find vehicle is suppled with UK V5 and one UK owner and One previous Hungarian owner. Recently recovered in February from a barn collection locally it had been in storage for 5 years prior and was running vehicle with minor items to pass the MOT in 2019.
Recent mechanical work carried out to refresh this vehicle to acceptable standard.
1) Fuel Drained and replenished Fuel filter and Fuel Pump Replaced.
2) Carb Webber fully cleaned and overhauled by a specialist £330. 00 COLN Engineering. Webber 34 TLA reinstalled and adjusted.
3) Oil and Filter Replaced Genuine period VW/ Skoda
4) Spark plugs and Leads Distributor cap and Rotor Genuine VW/ Skoda
5) New Battery installed.
6) Brake Fluid drained and flushed and all brakes dissembled cleaned and adjusted. Dual Piston front Calipers.
7) Water system drained flushed and fresh anti freeze installed.
This Vehicle will Fresh 12 months MOT 31st March 2025 NO ADVISORIES
8) Fuel lines replaced.
9) 5 New Tyres fitted Nanyang
10) New rear exhaust box fitted Supplied from Germany.
11) New Brake Light Switch fitted.
12) New Battery fitted.
13) Undersealed and wax protected March 2025.
14) New VW Fuel evaporator installed on the Weber 34TLA Carb.
The Bodywork is straight and free from accident damage its currently be prepped for Full Interior and Exterior detailing it will undergo a 2 stage polishing treatment and also any areas will be addressed to bring to a satisfactory standard, Front Grill and Bonnet and a few battle scars will be painted and blended in to bring back the finish. You can see the Boot Lid and the quality of before and after test area this is the original paint.
The Interior Headliner door cards are all in excellent condition with no damage the seats are in good condition with no damage, this was clearly a well kept non smokers car and always maintained well. Fitted with Tow Bar and electrics.
Vehicle is supplied with UK V5 with only one owner from UK Import, I can supply a Certificate of Conformity if the new owner requests to export it to another EU compliant country.
This vehicle will be ready to purchase and drive away April 2025 I have advertised the vehicle with the pictures of how it has come out of storage so, you can clearly see how straight and solid the vehicle is, you will be purchasing a un-restored vehicle but a vehicle that has been refreshed and ready for the road and attend those summer classic car shows and be admired and appreciated for its cult status and period in the motor history potential for film events.
Sold with 2 keys Handbook and Took Kit 12 months MOT and 12 Months IFA UK Membership plus cool Wartburg Keyring.
Vehicle is garage stored close to J18 of the M1 Rugby Area.
Delivery can be arranged up to 70 miles then £2. 00 per mile there after. This is a very unique opportunity to have a vehicle that is super rare. Email prior if your interested in owing a piece of eastern block history.
This is a private sale no trades please or stupid offers as this is super rare and original and the values are increasing there is very few of these in the UK.
I Have driven this 200 miles in the last few weeks and it’s flawless. Chassis has been steam cleaned and under sealed and wax-oiled this week plus 5 brand new Nanyang good quality tyres installed and fresh Rear exhaust box.
All MOT findings have been addressed will be supplied with 12 months MOT with no advisory’s at 88050KM (54000 Miles)
