The Wartburg 311 is definitely one of the favorite cars of collectors. This vintage East German car was in production between 1956 to 1967. Wartburg 311 was sold as sedan, coupe, cabriolet, pickup truck, and roadster. Here is everything about the first-generation Wartburg 311.
Engines
The 1956 Wartburg 311 didn’t have the strongest engines like muscle cars. This was built with basic engines offering mileage and endurance. The 1957 Wartburg 311 car was built using an inline-3 and 2-stroke gasoline engine. As it was a sedan, the speed was not great. The 311 model’s top speed was recorded around 76mph, but the vehicle had good acceleration and traction especially in forests and snow areas. This was important for buyers who bought the vehicle for long drives.
Technology
Wartburg 311 was designed as a fuel-friendly family car rather than as a performance edition. The vehicle’s key technologies were 3-speed manual gearbox, hydraulic drum brakes, independent suspension, and water-cooled system. The engine was equipped with a single carburetor which enhanced the stability. Entire technology was focused on increasing the durability with comfort.
Interior Features
The interior features of the Wartburg 311 were stylish and simple at the same time. Focusing on comfort level, the key features were wide bench seats in the front and back. The steering wheel came with a horn ring and round speedometer. Some of the comfort features were opening windows, heater system, ashtray, clock and radio. The bench seats and huge cabin space were considered the best for its time. It inspired the future cars manufactured in Germany.
Based on a Pre-War Vehicle
The Wartburg 311 was designed in multiple body styles, but not many knew it was based on a vehicle that was in production before World War II. The styling and features of the vehicle were similar to the DKW F9. This was an interesting factor for the vehicle. After World War II, the DKW F9 stopped production and it transformed into Wartburg 311.
Secret of the Name
No one knows how the Wartburg 311 got its name. It was based on a castle in Eisenach in Germany. The castle’s name was Wartburg where the model was designed. It also helped the brand with marketing as Wartburg was a familiar name in Germany. Wartburg castle was located near hills during the medieval period. A small historical reference was a gamechanger for the 311 model.
Massive Sales
In 10 years, the Wartburg 311 made a statement. The total sales of the model were around 2.8 lakhs. It helped Wartburg revive the market after World War II. The average price of the Wartburg 311 cars was around 9,000 East German Marks. This changed for every car as there were multiple variants. Wartburg 311 was predominantly sold in Germany, Belgium, Scandinavia, England, Netherlands, and North America.