24 Hours of LeMons Essay Contest: Win a 1958 Wartburg 311 [w/VIDEO]
1958 Wartburg 311 and friend - Click above to watch the video
Don't lie: you've long pined for understated chic that only a late-1950s East German three-cylinder sedan of your very own can provide, but the price has been holding you back. Even in non-running condition, a real, actual Wartburg could set you back between $300-$400. That's some serious scratch these days. Feeling your pain, the fine folks at the 24 Hours of LeMons have got a deal for you.
In what's probably the first ever, and without question the last ever, Win-a-Wartburg contest, all you have to do is write an essay explaining why you deserve such a dignified and exotic
- The winner of the contest gets the lovely blue 1958 Wurtburg 311 pictured above for FREE. No strings, it's yours.
- The winner picks up his or her very own Wartburg at the Lamest Day this October at Nelson Ledges Road Course in Ohio.
- If said winner then decides to enter said Wartburg in a LeMons race, their team will be automatically approved, their entry fee will be waived and no matter how hard they decide to cheat, no BS laps will be assessed.
- Think of how jealous your neighbors will be when this fine piece of European craftsmanship
gets trailered onto your lawnparks itself in your driveway. - The ability to non-ironically rock a "My Other Car is a Wartburg" bumper sticker on your minivan is priceless. Or is that ironically?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
konatown 11:15AM (8/05/2009)
Can I just have the marvelous Q45 in the background of those pictures?
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Jimbo 11:16AM (8/05/2009)
It has the radiator *behind* the engine? That is some strange engineering.
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Franz 12:44PM (8/05/2009)
Yep. If ever one needed a definition for "ass-backwards", this is it.
Jonny Lieberman 2:52PM (8/05/2009)
That way it can double as the heater -- duh!
Mr Sofa King 11:17AM (8/05/2009)
I too would rather have the q45.
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James 11:17AM (8/05/2009)
"My Other Car is a WARTburg!"
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The J 11:20AM (8/05/2009)
I actually like the car, it's better than a new Chrysler Sebring...
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Purplewon 11:23AM (8/05/2009)
but would it qualify for cash for clunkers?
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Blacksabre 11:39AM (8/05/2009)
You know, I bet that salvaged Hayabusa engine woiuld fit in this thing.
The secret to making something like this handle? Weld the suspension solid. No body roll, no wheel chatter. Bet you could get it under 2000 pounds, too, if you made it into a shortened two-seat roadster.
"Murilee, remember that Wartburg 311 you gave a free pass to, for BS inspection? That's it!"
"You're crazy! That's a Caterham 500!"
"No-no! See the steering wheel? That's the Wartburg part of it...the rest is just some replacement stuff we had, lying around. Honest." Vigorous nods.
"Good, cause we're gonna LOVE crushing this, after the race."
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Alex 12:57PM (8/05/2009)
It only weighs 2100lbs as is. Just removing the interior would get it under 2000!
As for replacing the engine... i don't know. Something appealing about being the only 2 stroke on the track is rather appealing.
Blacksabre 2:49PM (8/05/2009)
Trust me, someone will show up with a Saab 96.
hmmmm 11:47AM (8/05/2009)
The styling was good but it looks like the car was designed for a six. Then when they didnt have one they just through in the model T vintage 3 cylinder engine. It could actually be a sweet ride. Drop a turbo 4 or something else of modern design in.
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AKJeeper 1:22PM (8/05/2009)
I kinda like this car, for some odd reason. I'm actually surprised it isn't any more rusty than it is. It would be an interesting car to fix up and drive around, though with a weak 37hp engine - I can't say it would be all that exhilarating to drive. Definitely unique on this side of the pond, though...
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sean lawrence 12:20PM (8/07/2009)
Who wouldn't want a 3 cylinder overhead fan engined car?
This is the same 2-stroke in the DKW 3=6. What a fun car. I would love this.
For similiar thrills you would need a Saab Sonnett
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Edsel 3:30PM (8/05/2009)
Every decent communist era car came with a bevy of optional farm implements. With these uncertain economic times and robust government "investments", the new General Motors should inquire if the Wartburg brand is available for purchase; to replace the retired (executed) Pontiac brand.
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Kalle 3:16PM (8/07/2009)
Actually GM (still) owns rights to Wartburg brand via Opel.
Edsel 4:10PM (8/07/2009)
@Kalle
No kidding!?
The United States now owns the, former communist, Wartburg brand? Really?....... So very strange, yet fitting.
I'm quite certain now that Stephen King has been the mastermind of the world's auto industry for the last twenty years. This couldn't get any more bizarre than it has become. LOL.
Azrael4h 9:18PM (8/05/2009)
Hell, I'll take it. Not sure I could get time off to run to Ohio, and pick it up though.
I'd gut it, reinforce the framework, and shove in a Viper V10... somewhere. Ok, maybe just a good I4. Or a 318/torqueflight combo. 318 would probably be cheaper to build. Then again, a SBC would definitely be cheaper, by thousands. Hmm...
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Spule4 10:41PM (8/05/2009)
You guys that say the motor should be replaced with a six, BelowPar 318, modern four banger turbo, etc. do not understand two strokes torque and horsepower over their four stroke brothers, and often a two popper is equal to a four stroke of double cylinders/capacity.
Also, the DDR did use these in many European rallys in the 1960s, with mixed success. They were a continued development of the successful DKW Auto - Union 1000 (Audi) two strokes afterall......
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Shelly Sereno 5:27PM (8/06/2009)
I found an essay contest!
What do 'Aloha' and 'Mahalo' mean to you?
Are you a talented writer? Prove it and your talent could pay off big time. Write an essay of 101 words (or less) and you can win a custom home on the Big Island of Hawaii. You read right - WRITE for a home in paradise. The contest will be judged by community leaders - teachers. AND there will be a $30,000 donation to the local schools that are in need at this time of budget cuts.
Win/win, no?
Hurry - Contest Ends August 11, 2009!
Note to Travel Writers, Travel Agents & Reporters:
The sponsors of the contest (builders of the home) are offering complimentary nights at their Castle Bed & Breakfast -no strings attached. Call them for details. 714-253-3810. Ask for Sheri.
On a personal note: These people are well known in their community (for over 8 years) and you can be assured that the contest is being run with the highest integrity. The Prosecuting Attorney's Office is aware of the contest AND the Office of Consumer Affairs has also checked out the contest.
See an interview on KGMG9 Sunrise Show: http://kgmb9.com/main/content/view/13118/108
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