Re: Trabant conversions?

[ScuderiaEV@aol.com]

In a message dated 30/05/02 23:43:04 GMT Daylight Time, brucedp@yahoo.com 
writes:

> Perhaps our Euro members can shed some light on this.
> DWTV mentioned that the Trabant was a staple of the 
> cold war. Several were made that were slow but 
> economical polluters.

The Trabant was an East German vehicle. They were almost the ultimate in 
minimalist design, with very low embodied energy. Some environmentalists even 
promoted them on the grounds that most cars used more energy and created more 
pollution being produced, than they did being used. Since they had a twin 
cylinder fuel/oil mix burning two stroke engine and a body made of non 
recyclable and non biodegradable phenolic resin bonded paper I think they 
were on rather shaky ground.

> Is the Trabant a good conversion vehicle or is it 
> another Yugo (keeps failing apart and not worth
> the effort)?

Trabants are in relatively short supply. After reunification many owners 
simply threw theirs away. They now have a certain cult status (Definition; 
cult - not enough to form a minority), particularly the rarer models, like 
the convertible. Dave Gilmore of Pink Floyd used to own one along with all 
his exotics. I have heard of one conversion using a Lemco motor and there was 
one on Mike Chancey's links page.

> Sorry if I offended any yugo or Trabant lovers,
> but (IHMO) the best vehicle to convert is one that
> will last 10 years, and will not nickel and dime 
> you to death.

You can't offend Trabant owners (or they've gone deaf) and Yugo owners will 
be too busy fixing their cars to notice. Seriously though, the Yugo isn't 
really unreliable, just high maintenance.


> Trabant or not, what are the EV conversion options for
> our Euro members?

An embarrassment of riches. Most cars converted by US list members are either 
sold here or have a close equivalent. Plus there are the manufacturers who no 
longer sell to the US, Fiat, PSA (Peugeot/Citroen), Renault, etc. and the 
models not sold to the US.

> Is there a source for EV batteries, and conversion
> components?

Yes, but perhaps not as many. I bought quite a lot of parts from the US. 
Shipping is not too bad if the seller is willing to do the export paperwork 
(Like the ever helpful Wilde EVolutions).


Paul Compton
www.sciroccoev.co.uk