1974 Wartburg Knight Mark 4 from UK and Ireland - Comments

Where to start:

5 engines later (mostly small caged needle bearings in the small ends escaping!)

A few head gaskets.

A water pump.

Various little niggles.

The 2-stroke engine is a little gem, it demands to be thrashed. Useful low down grunt, but still loves to rev (they will clog up if not driven hard).

I probably over do the hard driving which explains the 5 engines, but this car keeps up with most things up to 20-30 mph.

Power on understeer, and lift off oversteer is very predictable and controllable.

Slightly feeble all round drums and very soft suspension.

Tonnes of load space in the estate.

I'm not sure whether a mechanic or a psychiatrist would be more useful to you at this stage.

What's your problem?? If somebody likes an offbeat vehicle (with some problems) so what? Why do they need a psychiatrist? This is all harmless pleasure OK. Why get your knickers in a knot or your balls in a twist (which ever suits) over somebody having some fun. Get yourself a life!!!

Two-strokes are normally unburstable and Wartburgs were rallied with great success (the engine is similar to the Saab; remember Erik Carlsson?), but five engines destroyed? Did you forget to put any oil in the petrol?

Guys had one of these for several years in 80's. great car great fun. The engines will fail if they stand for a while the acids built up in the block go to work on the bearings the other no no is running with the freewheel locked. I tuned mined had a weber side draft, and it sounded ab fab.

Brakes god damn awful I used to regularly warp drums, take some advice lower the back end buy about a lot!, heat the springs and bend them down, they transform the car. used to eat drive shafts, so bad I carried one in the boot for roadside repairs!.

edfoxuk@yahoo.com.

What a nice choice! The styling is nice, but I think I am crazy!

And you should remember to put oil in the petrol!