By flight in the Czech Republic: Trabant Museum Prague Motol is a tribute to the cars of the defunct brand
The museum includes a period garage or daily necessities from the former GDR.
In today’s part of our traveling series, Vlastimil Kučera took you to the capital of the Czech Republic, Prague Motol. And we will not stress who will bring gifts under the tree. Whether Santa Claus or courier service. It is better to plan a trip to another original museum.
It is not often that the whole street is named after the museum. This is the case in Prague 5 – everyone in the area knows “Trabanťácká” street. And even if it’s just an unofficial topography that you won’t find on the maps, you’ll see a real sign here. It hangs on the STK building, which also houses the exhibition itself.
And then just buy a ticket and wait for the green light at the entrance traffic light. As soon as you ascend to the first floor, you will pass small display cases. Be sure to pay attention to them. In one of them there is also a hand-signed copy of the book of memories with a dedication by Eliška Junková. “My mother also drove cars. I grew up in that environment. But I liked collecting cars more,“Says Martin Hucl, the museum’s owner. So it’s a bit of a continuation of the family tradition.
Helena Huclová raced in Trabant. Maybe that’s why another relative became the patron of the museum – the post-war car racer Viktor Mráz. He also has his place of honor here.
Civil and racing versions of thermoset cars
And you are already in the paradise of a former GDR brand. Trabant 601, which was made of thermosetting plastic in the town of Zwickau, became a symbol of the local industry in the 1960s. At the turn of the 80’s and 90’s, several prototypes with a VW Polo engine drove out of the plant, but shortly afterwards production ended.
“This is the Trabant’s predecessor – the AWZ P70. You can also look at the engine, “ shows smiling Hucl. The engine tour is interactive. Don’t expect highly sophisticated IT systems, but you can look forward to a joke and a surprise.
Visitors to the museum are also very interested in the workshop, which we can set up in the 1980s. You can remember or, conversely, get acquainted with how such workshops and garages were time. What were the brands of the packaging at that time – for example, oils, coolants, engine cleaners.
In the exhibition you will find civilian versions of cars and racing ones. Every car has its own story. Like the Trabant with the ZRB 92-91 brand. By the way – do you know what kind of district it was?
With the exception of the cars themselves, you can learn about important milestones in the history of this defunct brand. The back of the room will take you to the previous regime not only in terms of production, but also politically. There is a green vehicle of the East German border guards.
Bakelite rarities
And just opposite the “part of the Berlin Wall”. The older generation can tell their descendants what it was like. How or not they traveled, how they waited at the borders in long queues, what a foreign exchange promise was, or how “plastic” cars came to you on a concrete highway in the former GDR for a specific sound, but mainly due to a two-stroke specific smell.
The museum also has its outdoor part. You must not miss here. There is an IFA F9 Combi, which was manufactured in the same factory as the later Trabant. Or an exposed bodywork that the owner once bought “in stock” and never used. And even more interesting is the fate of the last series of 444 pieces of Trabant 1.1. They got to Prague from one parking lot in the Turkish port.
Children will again appreciate the “trabi” from the Lego building blocks. There is also a model of the yellow Trabant, with which Dan Přibáň set out on an expedition around the world.
And if you missed a small “bakelite” (I know, it’s derogatory, but widely used at the time) cart, two pieces are for sale. One classic sedan and the other in the station wagon version.
Finally, you must not miss local snacks and shops in one. Here you will find not only souvenirs, such as a unique tin, but also a chance for a unique experience. You can buy a sightseeing tour of Prague by Trabant. Well, tell me – isn’t it worth it?
Info for visitors
Trabant Museum – Plzeňská 215 b, Prague 5 – Motol
Opening hours – the museum is open daily
from 9 am to 5 pm 1. 10. – 30. 9
from 9 am to 6 pm 1. 5. – 30. 9.
Vlastimil Kučera
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