WARTBURG / GERMANY

 WARTBURG / EISENACH / GERMANY  (1956 - 1991)

The first vehicle bearing the name WARTBURG was produced in 1896 by the Fahrzeugfabrik Eisenach AG. However, it did not yet have an emblem (see end of this post). I am referring to the WARTBURG model that was manufactured since 1956 in Eisenach, what was then East Germany, i.e., at the historic site.
The first model from 1956 is also very interesting for emblem collectors and enthusiasts. The car was initially released with an emblem that was visually similar to one of its predecessor, the EMW. The three letters EMW were still present. 

 

This emblem was only used on preseries vehicles and prototypes, so it is extremely rare.

 

Size	14.3 cm x 7.5 cm
Year	1956 only
Estimate

 

 

backside without makers mark

 

 

The Type EMW 340, initially featured a BMW emblem and then its own red and white emblem instead of the blue and white Bavarian emblem.

 

 

regular hood emblem for the type EMW 327 ( attention: there are a lot of repros on the market )

Size	6.1 cm
Year	19
Estimate

 

Here is a real curiosity: the 1956 brochure for the Dutch market. If you look closely, you can see that three different emblems are shown! On the hood the prototype emblem, middle left  the series emblem, and at the bottom left a predecessor emblem. Collectors and friends of Wartburg  are delighted.

 

1956 sales paper; look at the blue circles

 

 

1956 to 1958 series emblem

Size	19.1 cm x 6.6  cm with base
Year	1956 - 1958 ( without VEB letters)
Estimate

 

 

 

1958 to 1961 series emblem. The letters VEB ( = Volkseigener Betrieb ) were added, a political statement

 

Size	19.1 cm x 6.6 cm
Year	1958 - 1961 ( with VEB letters)
Estimate

 

As is common with almost all car manufacturers, the emblem became increasingly abstract and simpler from generation to generation. Supposedly, this made it look more modern. Above all, however, it was cheaper to produce.

Size	17.7 cm x 4.3 cm
Year	1962 - 1983
Estimate

 

 Since 1983 the hood emblem was made in one color: black

 

Size	17.7 cm x 4.3 cm
Year	1983  - 1985
Estimate

 

All WARTBURG emblems shown so far were painted at the factory. However, I was able to find an original enameled hood emblem:

To my knowledge, this much smaller and lighter emblem was used on racing versions of the Wartburg Type 311 / 312.  Three stars because it is enameled!

Size	10.1 cm x 4.0 cm
Year	c. 1958 - 1960
Estimate

 

Here is the next curiosity among the WARTBURG emblems.

The original, standard WARTBURG 311 did not have a clock in the dashboard. This luxury was reserved for the exclusive 313 Sport models. As is well known, the former GDR suffered from a shortage economy, with the result that not all 313 Sport WARTBURG vehicles were fitted with a clock, even though it was intended and there was already a hole in the dashboard for it. To cover up this defect and the hole, the round aluminum emblem shown below was simply mounted. A cheap but ingenious solution!

attention: there are repros for sale

 

 And here finally comes the 1899 WARTBURG:

In the background is the Wartburg factory, where the vehicles with the emblems shown were built. In the foreground is the oldest surviving Wartburg, a model from 1899. Next to it is the Type 311.

 

As expected, the 1899 Wartburg did not yet have an emblem, but only a chassis plate.

 

The old factory still exists; today it houses the AWE museum ( AWE = Automobile Welt  Eisenach). In the background of the photo, we can see Wartburg Castle, after which the vehicles were named and where Martin Luther hid from 1521 to 1522.

 

 For more emblems see older posts or top right ( list of car makers ).

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