Trabant 601 Truck

[PR19_Kit]

The second thing I discovered was that while the Trabant is often decribed as having composite body panels on a steel frame, I did not realize how extensive that frame was.  I was able to find a 3D model of the frame of the Trabant that showed it to extend from the bottom of the car to the roof, kind of like what you might see in a modern "unibody" type car, as shown below.

Like a Rover P6, with a strong inner frame with body panels bolted to it to give the shape.

[mat]

Hi,
Although some Trabant Truck conversions appear to have been made, from what I can find on the internet it does not appear that a factory built truck was ever developed.  As such I was thinking of converting my 601S kit into a prototype 1960s era truck model.  The thought would be to eithr make it into something similar to the "R20" pickup truck variant of the Polish FSO Syrena, from arround the same timeframe, or perhaps make it into a flatbed type truck.

Regards

Pat

In the time of DDR, the Volkspolizei used this version of the Trabant to patrol the "Innerdeutsche Grenz" (the Iron Curtain)

[Rick Lowe]

Trabant Kubel. 

[loupgarou]

Very interesting idea , and a pick-up Trabant would be pretty. But it's NOT a big car, a step-side version would not leave much space for a load. A version with straight sides would be more practical (and possibly easier to build)

[Rick Lowe]

Very interesting idea , and a pick-up Trabant would be pretty. But it's NOT a big car, a step-side version would not leave much space for a load. A version with straight sides would be more practical (and possibly easier to build)

But are we going for 'Practical', or 'Coolness Factor'?* 

*As much as a Trabbie can have, of course...

[PR19_Kit]

In the time of DDR, the Volkspolizei used this version of the Trabant to patrol the "Innerdeutsche Grenz" (the Iron Curtain)

Hmm, I can recall seeing a couple of those in East Berlin a few times. Back in the late 70s, early 80s that was.

[PFJN]

Hi,
I've started making a little progress today.  The first image below shows my forst attempt to 3D print the aft frame parts for the side of the truck bed.  One side came out ok but the other side kind of broke up as I tried to trim and clean it, so I ended up printing a couple additional pieces.



The next image shows an effort to try and fit thye right side frame piece onto the kit bottom piece, using a little superglue and a lot of Bondo.  Once I get that cleaned up a bit more, I will try and do the same for the other side of the truck. 



Regards

Pat 

[frank2056]

You can probably leave the Bondo unpainted to make the truck look realistic!

[zenrat]

Looking good.

I've built the full detail Revell Trabbie.  Nice little kit.  Opening bonnet and boot and turning steering.  Tiny little engine and vey little space to transplant anything in.  In the traditional location anyway.   

[PR19_Kit]

In the traditional location anyway.   

See my comment re Hemis earlier....................... 

[Rick Lowe]

So the 'Blobak' or 'Li'l Red Wagon' Effect is still going strong, then...   

[PR19_Kit]

So the 'Blobak' or 'Li'l Red Wagon' Effect is still going strong, then...   

Of course!

'Li'l Red Wagon' was/is an icon of its time. I still have an unbuilt MPC kit of it in The Loft.

[Wardukw]

I like the step side idea but what about a duelie step side ..epic cool 😁 😎

[Rick Lowe]

Throw duallies into this and there's no load bed to speak of, any more!

[Old Wombat]

Who said they need to be inside the original wheelbase?