Member #82
Keri RautenkranzChicago, IL
Hello.
My name is Keri Rautenkranz and it appears that I’ve been adopted by a charming ’68 Trabi.
A friend obtained two Trabis in Czechoslovakia and I got one. Getting them back here to the Chicago area was an adventure but we succeeded and now have them fully licensed and titled.
Mine spent the last 9 months in the body shop, getting the rusted-out grille support replaced and some fresh paint.
I spent all day Saturday putting the car back together and took lots of pix.
My Czech body shop guy is a little slow and clumsy, having lost quite a few little bits and pieces which I had to fabricate and improvise.
Here's me driving it off to the body shop…. in July!
I did a little more work today. All that remains is putting the bumpers back on.
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Here's some before and after pix…
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Me, having just rebuilt the carburetor and getting the ignition to run on both cylinders and properly timed. The engine is loud but now runs strong.
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July 2011. The Czech plates are still good till Feb 2012!
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Just before leaving for the body shop
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Today! Back on the road! I cleaned and re-painted the trim pieces, fixed the lock cylinders and door handles and did lots of detail work while waiting for the round tuits to arrive.
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The body work is nearly done, now I have to investigate the noisy motor. We have spare cylinders pistons and heads. I’m hoping the crankshaft is OK.
The clutch, transmission, brakes and suspension seem pretty OK.
