After over a year of not actually owning a retro, owing to selling on my trusty (or rusty?) MK3 Golf, I wasn't contempt with just my 2002 Toyota Corolla. Although it's a great and comfortable car, it's never been more than just a daily to me.
I have been after a Trabant for several years now. However moving cities and countries very often proved highly impractical for buying one. Now that I've settled for a little while, I've decided to begin looking again. I originally found a non-running '87 Kombi in blue on eBay. On viewing, I loved it to pieces and wanted to take it there and then. Dominic, the exceptionally nice owner, promised to let it go to the final bid; which I unfortunately lost.
Dominic being such a nice chap then offered me another from his collection, a 1990 model in better condition and in the same colour with only 45,000kms on the clock. So I trekked back to Bromley to view this one, and I agreed to have it. Fast forward to last night, and my beautiful new Trabi has arrived. Here's what she looked like on arrival:
The next day, happy as Larry, I awoke early to begin work on my new communist car. Of course, I got some obligatory morning after photos.
I've certainly woken up to find worse the next morning!
Full on patina look.
Interior sin carpets.
A little bit of attention needed for the indicator stalk. Luckily Dominic nicely provided me with a replacement part.
More retro goodness.
By the end of Saturday, I had sweeped out the interior, replaced the stalk and also replaced the broken wind deflector.
A battery is on order, and I need the following to begin to think about the MOT:
- Replace the rotten brakes.
- New tyres.
- Add fog and reverse lights at rear.
- Fix windscreen wipers and buy new blades.
- Fit new handbrake (Currently in the post).
- Fix seat which collapses like a 1989 communist regime.
- Fit new headlight bulb and mask off LHD lights.
- Various minor rust treatment.
- Clean carburettor.
And probably more....
I have been after a Trabant for several years now. However moving cities and countries very often proved highly impractical for buying one. Now that I've settled for a little while, I've decided to begin looking again. I originally found a non-running '87 Kombi in blue on eBay. On viewing, I loved it to pieces and wanted to take it there and then. Dominic, the exceptionally nice owner, promised to let it go to the final bid; which I unfortunately lost.
Dominic being such a nice chap then offered me another from his collection, a 1990 model in better condition and in the same colour with only 45,000kms on the clock. So I trekked back to Bromley to view this one, and I agreed to have it. Fast forward to last night, and my beautiful new Trabi has arrived. Here's what she looked like on arrival:
The next day, happy as Larry, I awoke early to begin work on my new communist car. Of course, I got some obligatory morning after photos.
I've certainly woken up to find worse the next morning!
Full on patina look.
Interior sin carpets.
A little bit of attention needed for the indicator stalk. Luckily Dominic nicely provided me with a replacement part.
More retro goodness.
By the end of Saturday, I had sweeped out the interior, replaced the stalk and also replaced the broken wind deflector.
A battery is on order, and I need the following to begin to think about the MOT:
- Replace the rotten brakes.
- New tyres.
- Add fog and reverse lights at rear.
- Fix windscreen wipers and buy new blades.
- Fit new handbrake (Currently in the post).
- Fix seat which collapses like a 1989 communist regime.
- Fit new headlight bulb and mask off LHD lights.
- Various minor rust treatment.
- Clean carburettor.
And probably more....
