Little illustrates the difference between West Germany and East Germany as much as the cars of the respective states. With the reunification 30 years ago, the streetscape in the new all-Germany changed visibly. 2-stroke cars rattled through Hamburg, Porsche and Mercedes raced towards the East.
East Germany also used to have more luxurious sedans. Some were imported from the West, while others were bought from other Eastern states. All in all, they were much rarer than in the West. But no less beautiful. Below are five great cars from East Germany. We explain what they once meant to East Germany and what became of the manufacturers. And how much used examples cost today.
Four-door notchback sedan on Renault technology at reasonable prices: Dacia 1300 could be the blueprint for the Logan, the brand’s 2005 relaunch on the German market. But things were different in 1973. For one thing, the 23,450 Ostmark base price that the Dacia 1300 cost in East Germany was only competitive in relation to other import sedans.
Polski-Fiat near the 4.34-meter Dacia are similarly priced, and Skoda’s options are slightly cheaper. The Dacia is far from its current status as “Germany’s cheapest car”. To put it in perspective, the Trabant’s fighting price is around 10,000 Ostmarks.
In addition, Renault’s technology made the Dacia one of the most advanced cars on East German roads. Front-wheel drive cars with four-stroke engines were rare at the time. In concrete terms, the car was a licensed copy of the Renault 12 and its 1.3-liter basic four-cylinder with 54 hp.
Contemporary witnesses describe Dacia’s reliability as mediocre and its workmanship as poor. Nevertheless, it is one of the most popular import models in East Germany. One crucial reason: because of its Renault affinity, 1300 is considered by many to be a “Western car” – even if the production facility is in Pitești, Romania.
In 1978, the license expired, and Dacia continued to build the car. The model is now officially called 1310, with more plastic on the radiator grille and new body variants. There is an estate car and a pick-up, among other things. They start at 3,000 euros.
After the reunification, the popularity of the import Romanian decreases abruptly. Eastern Germans favor used cars from the West. However, this Dacia will still be produced on the domestic market until 2004. That is, virtually until the complete Renault takeover of Dacia.