The German Car East - Trabant & Wartburg
These are two questions I have asked many, many times since the foundation of TrabantUSA and because of the time of writing individual emails, I decided to just create this online guide.
BASIC ISSUES What will you do with your Trabant If all you want is a display element or something for parts, the rules are different from those of you who want a Trabant that you can title register -you and operate in public streets of America This guide assumes you want a Trabant that you can actually license and drive.
How much does it cost Obviously, I can not answer that sometimes a Trabant appear on the market in the US and you can get a deal that is cheaper than importing one yourself sometimes prices for those already imported are such that the purchase and delivery Germany makes more sense if you have the time and resources.
In general, with time and patience you should be able to locate a decent Trabant already in the US They come on the market from time to time across the country, often online you should be able obtain legal Trabant street in good condition in the United States for a few thousand plus whatever expenses you have to get from point of sale to your home if the import is a your plan, Trabant in beautiful condition will sell in Europe for less than 1000, but of course you will have lot of leg work, documentation and shipping details to process and pay that will add more than 2000 this amount if you mORE are not already in Germany, you will have the additional travel costs too.
Where can I find already in the US Well, members of TrabantUSA are a great source of imformation and each time I personally heard a Trabant for sale i advise all members with details and information Contact another unusual but very good source is Ebay Many of our Trabant members were actually purchased on Ebay people who were lying about and decided to get rid I look once a week on Ebay for Trabant The Hemmings News website Motor also has a list Trabant now and then.
How do I import a German Trabant This is the question that has no short answer Assuming you want your Trabant passable legally in the United States, I will not even discuss the rules for the import of 'improper Trabant in for display if you are going to go to the trouble of delivery, just get one that will be usable.
Rule 1 Your Trabant must be at least 25 years, if not longer to qualify for EPA and DOT exemptions US Customs These certificates are a must and without Trabant that can never be licensed, titled or ducts in the US no Trabant never comply with the US Department safety standards or transportation regulations governing EPA emissions if the importance of this document can not be stressed enough.
Make sure you get the title or transferable registration to your Trabant and the name of the person selling it to you is the person on the title This may sound silly, but you'd be surprised how many Trabant have changed hands in East Germany, but never re -titled and often the only evidence of ownership is the sale Speaking of sales contracts of contract obtain These can be purchased in a German office supply store for about January 00 Because you're not allowed to title and register your name Trabant in Germany, that piece of paper is the only paper you bought that you have said and have the car you try to export the country .
Rule 3 Buyer Beware Please know something about before buying a Trabant Just because car racing does not mean he has a good Trabant engine is smoking after long periods of non-use will smoke It must start until the engine is warm and it will always smoke when carrying a heavy load a good Trabant should not smoking for 24 7 If you are importing a Trabant makes a good engine and spare parts are available from Germany, but shipping is expensive these things.
Trabant usually gently pull to one side or another when driven They may have a little spongy brakes that can also draw They will have a rough idle, uneven when properly adjusted and sound like they are about stall, but should not result in replacement parts when possible and if you can be looking so difficult to meet for one that was equipped with an electronic ignition.
German Trabant car for sale_1, is German Trabant.