Trabant Kubel East German DDR Military Jeep

1989 Trabant Kubel

Technical specifications of Trabant Kubel 1989

Price: US $10,000.00
Item location: Trumansburg, New York, United States
Make: Trabant
Model: Kubel
Type: SUV
Year: 1989
Mileage: 999999
VIN: 2FDKF38G5LCB39012
Color: Green
Engine size: 2 cyl 2 stroke 600 cc
Number of cylinders: 2
Fuel: 40:1 mixed gas
Transmission: Manual
Drive type: f
Interior color: Green
Drive side: Left-hand drive
Vehicle Title: Clear
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Car description

To the best of my knowledge this is one of one or two Trabant Kubels in North America
This car was owned by a museum in Canada, now defunkt, imported to the US by the largest importers of Trabants in North America. I purchased the car from him.
It was built in November of 1989 - the same month that the wall fell, so this has to be one of the last Trabant Kubels ever built.
This car has been on display for nearly 20 years at the Annual Parade of Trabants, hosted by the spy museum in Washington DC. This is an annual gathering of Trabant enthusiasts from all over the east coast.
I have not driven this car extensively, but it does run and drive, quite well actually. It fires off instantly, and purrs. It is a two stroke, and uses mixed gas at a 40:1 ratio. The car is in great condition, with only two dime-sized rust holes on the rear quarters, by the wheel well. But ALL of the places Trabants typically rust are rust free on this car - the shock tower bases, the underbody supports, the sills, it is extremely solid and doesn't even show surface rust. There was some very light surface rust on the top of the floor pans underneath the carpet when I bought the car, but I cleaned it, metal prepped it and painted it. The brakes pull to one side but I have new wheel cylinders, as these are a common issue with Trabants that sit. The motor mounts are worn and I have new ones. This is probably a 45 minute job. The top is dry rotted but is complete enough for a pattern. I purchased new wooden top bows and mounted them. NOS and repro tops and side curtains are available from Germany. The seats are reasonably good. I took them apart and replaced foam, reusing the seat covers. If you use the car often, you'll want to replace the seat covers as well, as the vinyl is stiff and a little brittle. The paint is worn, but a good buffing would probably bring a lot of it back.
I own three Trabants, and can give you plenty of guidance and support on spare parts, which are surprisingly very easy to find. Even Kubel-specific parts are readily available through one of three or four vendors in Germany. Shipping can be quick as well.
People on eBay often have listings that say this is a rare opportunity to own a one-of-a-kind car, and I always roll my eyes, but in this case it's true... you simply don't see these on this continent. You will have a unique part of history.
eBay doesn't like the VIN number, because it's post 1981, but East German, so it doesn't conform to eBay's VIN checker. So I put a VIN in from an old truck. The actualVIN for this car, as shown on the photo, is E235666 -It has an E Vin number, designating "Ersatz" bodies - or bodies made well in advanced, then placed in storage until the military placed an order. This was done because military orders were not high enough to do a profitable run of bodies, so they'd run enough to remain profitable, and store them to sell them later.
I'm not a dealer, just a car collector. I am happy to show the car at any time or answer any questions you have about it. I do have a shipping broker that I've worked with a lot who is terrific, and I'm happy to put you in touch with her. I also may be able to deliver it if you're within 4 hours of Ithaca NY.
The car is registered in my name with Vermont registration.

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