Its roots trace to a pre-war 1940 DKW design, and about a third of its little roadster variant was exported to America.
Lead trim: 311 992 cc two-stroke three-cylinder (45 PS) · up to 49 hp
Wartburg 311 / 312311/312 · 1956–1967
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Nobody in Burbles has spotted a Wartburg 311 / 312 yet. See one on the street, point the app at it, and the first card is yours — with your @handle permanently credited on this page.
FactIts roots trace to a pre-war 1940 DKW design, and about a third of its little roadster variant was exported to America.
The Wartburg 311, built by VEB Automobilwerk Eisenach from 1956 to 1965 (288,535 made), developed the existing EMW 309 (itself the IFA F9, based on the pre-war 1940 DKW F9), retaining its Auto Union-derived basic architecture on a lengthened separate chassis, and came in a wide range of body styles: saloon, luxury saloon, cabriolet, coupé, Kübelwagen police off-roader (891 built, 1959-1964), station wagon, RHD saloon, sliding-sunroof saloon, and the 313/1 Sportwagen two-seat roadster (built 1957-1960, 469 made, about a third exported to the US). The original 901 cc two-stroke three-cylinder was enlarged to 992 cc in 1962. An interim Wartburg 312 (September 1965 - March 1967), with the coil-sprung independent chassis developed for the succeeding 353 and 13-inch wheels, had 353 parts fitted as they became available, so later 312s got the 353's 50 PS (49 hp) engine rather than the 311's 45 PS (44 hp) unit, with some also gaining front disc brakes; it was sold in fewer body styles once the 353 arrived in late 1966. Front engine, front-wheel drive; wheelbase 2,450 mm (96.5 in), length 4,300 mm (169.3 in), width 1,570 mm (61.8 in), height 1,450 mm (57.1 in), curb weight 960 kg (2,116 lb). The page carries a needs-more-citations notice.
Collectors Spotted in the Wartburg 311 / 312 Lineage
No member has published a public street spot of the Wartburg 311 / 312 yet — the First · Worldwide stamp is wide open.
Trims & Figures
2 published trims in the catalogue. A blank is a figure not recorded, not zero.
| Trim | Years | Engine | Power | Torque | 0–60 | Drive | Gearbox | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 311 992 cc two-stroke three-cylinder (45 PS) | 1962–1965 | 1.0 L Inline-3 | 44 hp | — | — | FWD | — | — |
| 312 (50 PS engine) | 1965–1967 | Inline-3 | 49 hp | — | — | FWD | — | — |
Owning one
We don’t estimate running costs for a car like this. What it costs depends on its condition, its specialist and how it is driven, and an average would mislead.
Owners’ builds
Nobody has claimed one yet.
Photographs
Rivals
Same body, same money, other badges — tap any card to flip.
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