This Bronze sculpture is called ‘Quo Vadis’. It was made by David Černý from the Czeck Republick where he is known as a creative rebel. With his unusual sculptures he tries to provoke and critisize the art world and society. But of course we, as car nuts, immediately recognize this four legged creature as the illustrious Trabant that celebrated its fiftieth birthday last week. The little car with its two-stroke engine and Duroplast body became a symbol of the communist regime in the DDR (German Democratic Republic). The P50 and P60 were the first models, later followed by the 601. Several body versions were available, but citizens of the DDR had to wait for years before they were allocated one. Second-hand examples became more expensive than new ones, because they were readily available. From 1990 a 1.1 four-cylinder model was produced but after the unification nobody wanted a Trabant anymore and the factory in Zwickau had to close. Yet, today the Trabant has become more popular than ever and the little car has received cult-status.

photos Rutger Booy

November 22, 2007