With our Trabant 601 Exclusive Edition (Shop Link), you can bring a piece of East German automotive history to life on your workbench. For the 60th anniversary of the legendary Trabant 601, there is now a unique opportunity to build this cult car as a highly detailed model kit. And the best part: exclusively included is a fascinating book from Motorbuch Verlag, filled with stories and anecdotes all about the Trabi.
Here are a few highlights from the car’s six-decade-spanning history:
The Trabi 601 and the Magic Number 26
Did you know that the number 26 has a special significance for the Trabant 601? It had 26 horsepower, a 26-liter tank, and was produced for exactly 26 years. Coincidence or fate? Either way, it underscores the uniqueness of this vehicle that has accompanied generations.
Duroplast: The “Racing Cardboard” Without Cardboard
Although the Trabi is affectionately called the “Racing Cardboard,” its body is by no means made of cardboard. The material used is called Duroplast, an innovative plastic at the time, made of 46% cotton fibers, 52% phenolic resin, and 2% release agent. With this, the Trabant was the first German car with a plastic body and was truly ahead of its time.
The production process of Duroplast was unique. Five layers of cotton fibers were processed into a fleece. This material was then pressed at 240 degrees Celsius under 400 tons of pressure. The entire heating and cooling phase took about ten minutes. The result was a body that weighed only 32 kg and was still extremely robust.
Innovative Technology Meets Clever Design
The Trabant 601 was not just a car, but a statement. With its modern drive concept—a transversely mounted engine, integrated four-speed gearbox, and front-wheel drive—it was technically state-of-the-art in the 1960s. The Duroplast body offered numerous advantages. It was durable and could withstand extreme climate conditions. Corrosion was not an issue, as the material did not rust. The good sound insulation provided a more pleasant driving experience, and the high elasticity made minor bumps less dramatic.
The body shape was also aerodynamically well thought out. The station wagon achieved an impressive drag coefficient (cW value) of 0.43, while the sedan was also in the good mid-range at 0.47. Both variants had an identical frontal area of 1.61 m². For its time, the Trabant also offered modern features such as crank windows and push-button door handles. The interior space was above average for its class, and from 1965 onwards, an automatic clutch system called “Hycomat” was even available.
The Trabi is more than just a car; it is a piece of history full of quirky stories.
In the GDR, a used Trabant was often more expensive than a new one, because you had to wait up to 16 years for the latter. This unique economic phenomenon made the Trabi a highly sought-after commodity.
Trips to the Carpathians were a special challenge. They could only be managed in second gear. Nevertheless, many Trabi owners dared this adventure, often with a Qek Junior caravan in tow. The shortage of spare parts turned every owner into a hobby mechanic. There were even TV shows and books about Trabi repairs that helped keep the vehicle running.
Today, the Trabi is experiencing a comeback. Registration numbers rose from 32,300 in 2014 to about 40,000 in 2023, with 8,300 of those in West Germany. The cult surrounding the little car lives on. Originally, the 601 was only intended as a transitional model. The engineers developed about a dozen different prototypes as successors, including versions with a rotary engine.
Kit Highlights
The model kit of the Trabant 601 (Revell Shoplink) is an absolute must for every passionate model builder. With a length of 14.9 cm, a width of 6.2 cm, and a height of 6.4 cm, the finished model fits perfectly into your collection. The 136 parts promise hours of building fun and, at Level 4, challenge advanced and experienced builders.
- Highly detailed body with authentic surface textures
- Realistically designed, multi-part engine
- Rotatable wheels for a lively model
- Authentic decals with various country codes (GDR, CS, PL, HUN, A, D)
Get yours now and build history
Don’t miss the chance to get this unique model kit including the book. Whether for yourself or as a special gift, the Trabi 601 is waiting to be assembled by you.
Your exclusive book for the model kit
In addition to the kit, you’ll receive an exclusive book about the Trabant 601 from Motorbuch Verlag. It is full of exciting stories, technical details, and anecdotes about the Trabant. A true collector’s item, available exclusively with this set!