If you’re like me, your question is “What’s a Wartburg”? And the answer turns out that it’s an East German car built by AWE. The 353 was a versatile sedan produced from 1966 to 1988, accounting for more than one million automobiles along the way. Yet not one of them was sold (at least officially) in the U.S. It was a 3-cylinder car that didn’t change much over the years. We don’t know many details about the seller’s 1984 Wartburg 353 other than it looks okay, and runs and drives. Located in Melrose Park, Illinois, this interesting import is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $9,000. Our thanks to Sam61 for the tip!
Aka the Wartburg Knight, the 353 was considered a mid-size vehicle that was on the European market for more than two decades. The first 353s came out of the former East German BMW plant. Because of its simple two-stroke engine, the 353 was often considered an automobile that drove like a car but was as easy to service as a motorcycle. These cars were popular with government agencies back in the day, including as police transport. Its front-wheel drive configuration was considered easy to operate.
Displacing only 1.0 liters, the 353’s little engine was good for maybe 50-55 horsepower. These were considered cheap cars to buy and maintain and were easy on fuel even by European standards. The body, paint, and interior on this 353 all look good, as they should if the 36,000 claimed miles are correct. The seller provides no history of the car or how or when it found its way to Mid-America. My second thought is where do you find parts for this car when something eventually breaks?
Is that a 3 on the tree 🌳
I was wondering if its a 4 speed on the column.
It is a 4-on-the-tree. There was an optional floor shift but FWIU the linkage was even less direct. It was mainly developed in the late ’60s for export markets where column shifts were considered passe, and also for right-hand-drive ones regardless since they didn’t also do an RHD column shift.
Parts availability may depend on your ability to read German. I looked up Trabant parts once and found a site selling everything, but on the German web. I don’t sprecken, so I moved on. This may fall into the same category.
2stroke so how long can it last?
A great little car to pick up enemies of the state in! If it was good enough for the Stassi, it should be good enough here in Amerika!