[DeTomaso] Trabant 601 Interceptor

[Konrad Szwab]

The military version had also either vinyl doors or a chain plus a machine
gun mount in the back.

On Thu, Jan 12, 2012 at 3:05 PM, michael frazier <red3644 at hotmail.com>wrote:

>  I used to watch these things buzz and smoke down the patrol road on the
> border (East/West Germany...when there was a border.)
> The military version had a crude cloth top, no doors and seemed to roll
> over in a strong wind.  I was in Regt. Border Ops, 11th Cav
> and can remember all the spot reports about Trabants stuck, on fire or
> rolled over.  Almost made me feel sorry for the DDR troops
> ...almost but not quite.
>
> Michael Frazier
> Gruppo Rompiculi Corsa
>
>
>  > Date: Thu, 12 Jan 2012 11:13:35 -0600
> > From: kszwab at gmail.com
> > To: cengles at cox.net
> > CC: detomaso at realbig.com
> > Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] Trabant 601 Interceptor
> >
> > Hehehe. I was born in Romania and those fine vehicles were part of daily
> > traffic. I rode in one at about 60 MPH once and nothing ever came to the
> > level of excitement of that day (including driving a Maserati Biturbo
> while
> > on fire). I do not know what was trembling more, the unbalanced wheels of
> > the Trabant or my knees when I got out.
> >
> > Once I arrived in the US I used to have a great neighbor that every
> > Saturday at 6 AM sharp used to run his edger against the curb with great
> > skill. The sparks and bullet sounds would ensure I had a great start on
> > Saturdays.
> >
> > As a return favor in kind, I used every Sunday at 6 AM to back out of the
> > garage the Pantera and my 3 cylinder 2 stroke boat and let them run for
> an
> > hour or so. That activity ensured that we had a great relationship going
> > for a number of years.
> >
> > Listening to my boat sputtering and billowing the clouds of blue smoke, I
> > had a vision that a Trabant would be an excellent addition to the show.
> The
> > Trabant would behave the same way, PLUS it would be mobile so more than
> one
> > neighbor could enjoy the operation of such a fine automobile.
> >
> > Although I moved to a different location so I could park my 20 cars, my
> > dream of owning another Trabant lives on.
> >
> > On Thu, Jan 12, 2012 at 9:53 AM, <cengles at cox.net> wrote:
> >
> > > Dear Konrad,
> > >
> > > As a recent convert, I am very impressed by your experience and
> > > expertise with these annoying rare performance Q-ships of the
> automotive
> > > world. I am distressed to learn that practical use of the flame
> thrower is
> > > not advised. Darn. It had so much potential and bricks are so, well,
> > > primitive.
> > >
> > > How did you come to appreciate such an under-the-radar performance
> > > vehicle?
> > >
> > > Tongue firmly in cheek, Chuck Engles
> > >
> > >
> > > ---- Konrad Szwab <kszwab at gmail.com> wrote:
> > > > I tried to import a Trabant to Texas from Romania. It fell apart
> before
> > > I could start the wonderful activity but I am always hoping that I will
> > > have some money to waste at some point to get one from the US so I can
> > > annoy my neighbors in style.
> > >
> > > The proud "Interceptor" badge would have been very popular with cops
> stuck
> > > behind it at a stoplight in Houston.
> > >
> > > The flame thrower option would be ill advised given the Duraplast car
> > > body, I believe throwing bricks out of the window would be a lot safer
> for
> > > this class of vehicle.
> > >
> > > On Thu, Jan 12, 2012 at 9:10 AM, <cengles at cox.net<
> http://do/mail/message/mailto?to=cengles%40cox.net>
>
> > > > wrote:
> > >
> > >>
> > >> Dear Konrad,
> > >>
> > >> Clearly an inspired and unexpected choice. I didn't know that these
> came
> > >> with *flame throwers* that are particularly stealthy in contrast to
> their
> > >> very unassuming styling. See link below.
> > >>
> > >> Warmest regards, Chuck Engles
> > >>
> > >> http://email.usedcarsplus.com/classic-cars/05-use/170707206261.html
> > >> ded
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> > >
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