Embarking on a Unique Journey Across Europe to Africa
Darius Pohle and Eric Gärtner, two passionate Trabant enthusiasts from Zwickau, have set their sights on an extraordinary adventure that will take them from Europe to Africa in their beloved 1982 Trabant 601S. Following previous successful journeys, including an expedition to the North Cape last year and a tour of the United Kingdom planned for 2024, the duo is now preparing for their most ambitious trip yet: a road trip to Morocco. The first leg of their journey is set to take them to Saarbrücken by Friday evening, marking the beginning of a remarkable 9,000-kilometer trek.
Before they hit the road in 2026, the Trabant is undergoing a thorough inspection at the workshop of Frank Hofmann. As Hofmann notes, "The technology will be put to the test over such a long distance." Pohle remains optimistic about the car's durability, recalling that, aside from a minor incident last year, their previous tour went smoothly. He humorously adds, "It's more about the driver failing than the car." Nevertheless, they have packed numerous spare parts, adhering to the adage that anything taken along is less likely to break.
Planning the Route and Anticipating New Encounters
Pohle and Gärtner plan to complete their journey in three and a half weeks, with seven or eight days dedicated to traversing Europe. Their route will take them through Germany, along the French Atlantic coast into Spain, through Portugal, and finally to Gibraltar, where they will board a ferry to Morocco. If conditions permit, they hope to explore the Atlas Mountains and the sand dunes of Morocco, taking their Trabant off-road for an authentic experience.
Darius has long dreamed of driving to Africa in a Trabant, and he envisions this trip as not only an adventure but also an opportunity for enjoyment. "This is a vacation too. Flying would be easy, but the journey is the destination," Gärtner emphasizes. They expect to spend ten to twelve hours a day in the car, but they are excited about the chance to meet new people along the way. Pohle shares, "On the road, you always meet people who want to learn about the car's history, where it comes from, and where we're headed." After their African adventure, the route will lead them back to Zwickau via Mallorca and Monaco, where the Trabant will recuperate from its journey in Hofmann's workshop.
As reported by mdr.de.
