368 Wartburg 312 4 door Sedan (1965) GEW 556 D by Robert Knight Via Flickr: Wartburg 312 (1965-67) Engine 991cc S3 2-stroke Registration Number GEW 556 D (Huntingdon) Wartburg Set www.flickr.com/photos/45676495@N05/albums/72157623738806757 The Wartburg 311 was produced by East German car manufacturer VEB Automobilwerk Eisenach from 1956 to 1965. Designed by Hans Fleischer the car was available in a number of variations, including pickup, sedan, limousine, coupé, and as a two-seat roadster. The two-stroke engine was enlarged to 992 cc in 1962. The basic architecture of the pre-war design, acquired from Zwickau-based Auto Union, was retained, albeit with the chassis lengthened by 10 cm, which combined with long overhangs to create a larger car with a relatively spacious four-door Saloon bodies. Its name, Wartburg derives from the very first model (Wartburgwagen) produced in 1898 at the Automobilwerk Eisenach factory Exports of the Wartburg 311 to West Germany beginning in 1958, and by the early 1960s the car was exported to many other countries, including the United Kingdom and United States. In all, 737 right-hand-drive 311s were built from 1961 until 1964. By 1964 Wartburg were developing a more modern successor to the 311, the 353 which was still two years from its introduction The 312 was introduced as an interim model (September 1965 – March 1967). It had the updated chassis and also had smaller 13-inch wheels. The chassis also no longer needed regular lubrication. The 353 parts were gradually installed in the 312 as they were ready, meaning that later models were equipped with the 50 PS (49bhp), engine, rather than the 45 PS (44 bhp). unit from the 311. Some were also equipped with disc brakes at the front. Some enthusiasts replace the body of a 353 with the body of a 311 on the same chassis, which does not require major modifications, thus making a more old-fashioned car with modern underpinnings. The smoother riding 312 has become very popular in the German classic car scene. The 312 continued to be available with a wide variety of body styles until the late-1966 arrival of the 353, after which only the estate and the station wagon remained on sale. As with the 353 Tourist, these models were built by the VEB Karosseriewerk Halle, rather than in the Eisenach main plant. This car was imported and sold new by Northampton Scooters in May 1966 to a buyer from Peterborough for £ 620 18 shillings and ten pence. And has been in the hands of the present owner (the cars third owner) since 1988. The car was fully restored in 2006 by Kelvin Jones of Bremen Motors, who was also the cars second owner. Diolch am 97,688,659 o olygiadau gwych, mae pob un ohonynt yn cael eu gwerthfawrogi'n fawr. Thanks for 97,688,659 amazing views, every one is greatly appreciated. Shot 21.08.2022, at Lupin Farm, Kings Bromley, Staffordshire REF 163-368
