Wartburg 353
| Wartburg 353 | |
|---|---|
1986 Wartburg 353W
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| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Wartburg |
| Production | 1966-1991 |
| Assembly | VEB Automobilwerk Eisenach, Eisenach, East Germany |
| Designer | Hans Fleischer, in cooperation with Clauss Dietel and Lutz Rudolph |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 4-door saloon 5-door estate 2-door coupe utility (pickup) |
| Layout | FF layout |
| Related | Warszawa 210 |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 993 cc two stroke straight-3 (42 kW) |
| Transmission | 4-speed manual |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,450 mm (96.5 in) |
| Length | 4,220 mm (166.1 in) |
| Width | 1,640 mm (64.6 in) |
| Height | 1,490 mm (58.7 in) |
| Curb weight | 920 kg (2,028 lb) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Wartburg 311 |
| Successor | Wartburg 1.3 |
The Wartburg 353, known in some export markets as the Wartburg Knight, is a medium-sized family car, produced by the East German car manufacturer Wartburg. It was the successor of the Wartburg 311, and was itself succeeded by the Wartburg 1.3.
The Wartburg 353 was produced from 1966 to 1988, becoming the model with the longest-ever production run. During its lifetime it saw several changes and improvements, the most recognizable of these coming in 1985 with a front facelift (as pictured here), slightly different layout around the engine block and a new carburetor.
The Wartburg 353 was the creation of the former German BMW production facilities (called EMW under Soviet occupation). It was based on a 1938 design, and powered by an engine with only seven major moving parts, crankshaft included. Popular saying among owners hence that one drives a car but only maintains a motorcycle.
Domestically, it was used for government transportation, sometimes as a police car. Delivery of consumer builds often could take ten to fifteen years.
Like other Eastern European cars, it was known for its low price and comparatively well-equipped design. Because of its forward centre of gravity and front-wheel drive, the car had specific road handling, sometimes displaying significant understeer, especially in wet conditions. Wartburgs were exported to most continental European markets and also to the UK, Cyprus, Malta, and South Africa.
The Wartburg 353 was very agile for its time, powered by a 1-litre displacement, 3-cylinder unit that took almost two decades to refine. While developing about 55-57 bhp (depending on the carburetor type) its two-stroke engine design provided more than 100 N/m of torque (106 N/m in the last version). Typical figure for quite larger four-stroke engine at that time, it accelerated the less than a ton vehicle pretty decently even by modern standards. The transmission was equipped with a freewheel, obviating the need to use the clutch between gears. This turned out so popular with owners that it has become almost symbolic for a 353, along with the gear stick on the steering column. Designed as a fuel efficiency measure and as means of protecting the engine from oil starvation, the device disabled engine braking; the car effectively coasted whenever the throttle was released. Drivers had the option of turning the freewheel off through a switch under the steering column to benefit from engine braking. Useful since the front brakes were prone to overheating and fading. However, most drivers never disabled the freewheel, because it made shifting gears significantly easier and smoother, though not quicker.
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Wikipedia