The Wartburg Trabant IFA Club UK Drive it Day

Published: 05/05/2016

The Wartburg Trabant IFA Club UK supported Drive it Day by bringing forward its annual Eastern Bloc Vehicle Day meet (usually held in mid-May).  The event also moved south from its usual Midlands base into Wiltshire.  Starting at the NT village of Lacock, the 40 mile road run took in the prehistoric wonders of Avebury, Silbury Hill and West Kennet long barrow before the Cold War classic vehicles and their owners spent the afternoon at the motor museum at Calne.  Referring to the three chalk white horses passed in the landscape, cars were embellished with IFA Club plaques stating “Four legs good, two stroke better”! There was indeed a good turnout of two-stroke MZ, Trabant and Wartburg vehicles, but other Cold War Classics taking part included Skoda, Lada, Polonez, UK’s first Izh Oda (fresh from Moscow), a Qek caravan (pulled all the way by a Trabi) and an Ikarus bus!  Most participants arrived the day before making an excellent weekend of the occasion. 

Future IFA Club events, open to all vehicles with a Cold War pedigree, include the Iron Curtain Vehicle Rally (Staffs) and Red Oktober (Manchester) - details from Events@IFAClub.Co.UK