Not much help with your question (it's going to be tough) but I get misty eyed. That was my first car. Obviously you didn't spare expenses and got the S - special edition version.

Friend of mine went as a kid with his parents and brother, a spare engine, spare windshield, and spare everything all the way from East Germany to Soviet Georgia. So, obviously those 26 horse powers can take you a long way.

There was also a German guy who toured the world in a Trabant. Google "Drehorgel Rolf".

Well, you got my thumbs up. Let us know how things turn out :-).

Hi, thanks for the vote of confidence :-) They are amazing machines for sure! We chose it partly to keep costs down, partly because they're easy to repair, but mainly because I love them!

My brother has brought 2 back from Hungary to London and our neighbour, who works with Ferraris, got much more excited them than the cars he works on!

Truth be told, we are still to buy the actual vehicle for this trip, but I'll be sure to splash out and get an 'S' version ;-) Although to my knowledge there was only the 'S' version! The DeLuxe was the upmarket one :-)

Thanks for the tip about Drehorgel Rolf, seems like quite a character. Here are some eye-misting sites for you (and me!) in return :-)

Trans National Trabant Tour 2007
Nomadic Nation | Trabant Trek
TransTrabant Afrika 2009

And yes, we're definitely taking a spare engine - all 7 moving parts of it!

Thanks for the links. That will make for interesting reading.

As far as I remember the basic version was the "Universal" and the S had a bit more bling, like chrome bumpers. The "DeLuxe" had a fuel gauge and you could open the windows in the rear a wee bit. Oh the luxuries :-)) I'm no expert though and could certainly be wrong.

Yes, they are very easy to fix. Head gaskets have been changed at the side of the Autobahn. We also had lots of fun carrying teacher's Trabants into impossible parking spots. Very light vehicle :-)

With an EU registration you shouldn't have trouble as far as Turkey. After that, I would have a very open mind regarding the route. Paperwork hassles aside, some of the countries on your list are already more unstable than usual at the moment and things could deteriorate quickly. So, I would broaden my visa/carnet research to Turkey's Neighbors to have an alternative should you need it. Iran is certainly out on a UK and US passport but anything into Georgia/Armenia/Azerbaijan could be an alternative. American Doug Wotke (rtwdoug) has toured that area recently on a US passport and a US or Bulgarian registered Harley. He's on here and will be hosting a HU meeting in Bulgaria 27-29 May. Not that far from Budapest and some 1st hand information could be had.

Well, no matter what, it'll certainly be a great adventure. Very jealous and starting to think about buying another Trabi :-)

Cheers

Have you managed to get a visa for Saudi?

CURRENT VISA INFORMATION FOR TURKEY.
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U.S.A. citizens
90 days multiple visa available in the boarder gate.20 USD. or 15 Euros

U.K. citizens
90 days multiple visa available in the boarder gate.20 USD. or 15 Euros or 10 GBP.

Insurance available at the boarder gate.I think will cost about 36 TL.(20 USD.)for trabant for 6 months.(must)

Permanent import available at the gate with a stamp on your passport page which is 6 months. At the exit gate it will be cleared by the customs on the page.

But if you will leave Turkey through the east boarders, you need a carnet.

Gasoline almost 2 Euros. Cost for exchange of experiences and advices with many foreign riders you will meet on the way generally free, sometimes . Friendship,boring interest and local supports for your interesting car absouletely free, including our club garage having many tools.

We have many friends on travel in all Muslim countries.Current red lines are;
In the middle east area and arabian countries, fridays are exciting days.Stay away from mosques and main squares, dont take photos of the crowds who are having their humanity rights,(better stay in the Hotel after friday midday pray until sunset) be respectful to traditions and wearings, try to say selamün aleyküm when you will start talking to local people and never talk to ladies you meet on the roads.

Also..:
1-Never enter Yemen, Oman and Bahrain.
2-If you enter Israel, have your entrance and exit stamps on a separate paper.(Acceptable if you ask)
3-No alcohol and no muhabbet with locals in Saudi Arabia. For more information:

Useful link for USA.residents about S.Arabia.
Travelling to Saudi Arabia

for UK.residents about S.Arabia
Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia London

Sure will be very interesting for you to discover this side of the world.You will have a nice and valuable adventure story when you are back in your home country.

Wish you all the best.

mehmet zeki avar

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Mehmet Zeki Avar
''Borderlines divide countries,HU friendship finds a way to reunited"
https://www.facebook.com/mehmet.avar.12?ref=tn_tnmn

i mostly agree with imk except the friday pray. you dont need to too much worry on friday's. where ever you go, just respect the local culture and be friendly always.

getting visa for saudi is very tricky, there are some travelers who got it, but mainly almost impossible. if you do a quick search you will find a lot of info.

have fun and travel safe!!

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ozhan u.
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