David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
12/11/24 12:33 p.m.
feature_image
  • Entrant: Jim Thwaite
  • Total Budget: $1987.90
  • Event Year: 2006

A $2000 Challenge car with ties to the 24 Hours of Lemons is going to be a little nuttier than usual, right? Jim Thwaite won this 1958 Wartburg 311, an Eastern bloc people-mover, via a Lemons essay contest. He stretche…

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nocones
nocones PowerDork
12/12/24 12:36 p.m.

LOL I always liked this car and it has evolved by the subsequent owner to continue to be cool.

Hilarious that you posted this today, as you can now own this cars challenge drivetrain!  For sale on the GRM forum!

David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
12/12/24 2:08 p.m.

So who’s going to get the band back together?

nocones
nocones PowerDork
12/12/24 2:14 p.m.

Sounds like Mr_Asa is strongly considering it.  Quick everyone enable him.  

David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
12/12/24 2:28 p.m.

In reply to nocones :

Enable! Enable!

Is the car now down here in Florida? 

nocones
nocones PowerDork
12/12/24 2:38 p.m.

In reply to David S. Wallens :

Patrick has turned the car into this glorious beast.

https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/build-projects-and-project-cars/top-secret-build-wartburg-20/142060/page1/

I bought the challenge engine/adapter that was on the VW transmission from him when the Wartburg 2.0 Gasser was in early development.  I am now selling that drivetrain plus a few other Subaru parts it accumulated in my garage like a 2nd engine.

Mr_Asa has expressed some interest in this swap kit for a Type 3 VW he has access to.   

David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
12/12/24 2:40 p.m.

Okay, I thought the engine was going back into the Wartburg. I knew Patrick turned it into a gasser and got confused....

dculberson
dculberson MegaDork
12/12/24 11:59 p.m.

I drove this car in its lemons race. No way that was 18 years ago. Right? Guys?

Byrneon27
Byrneon27 HalfDork
12/13/24 7:29 a.m.

^ I was in the same LeMons race and it absolutely was not checks notes... ah beans 

Pete. (l33t FS)
Pete. (l33t FS) MegaDork
12/13/24 8:30 a.m.
dculberson said:

I drove this car in its lemons race. No way that was 18 years ago. Right? Guys?

It was just last summer that we were rebuilding the Jeep knuckles for the Wartburg's new life as a gasser.

David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
12/13/24 9:51 a.m.
Byrneon27 said:

^ I was in the same LeMons race and it absolutely was not checks notes... ah beans 

There’s no way.

Byrneon27
Byrneon27 HalfDork
12/13/24 10:10 a.m.

Maybe actually only 15 but still 

Pete. (l33t FS)
Pete. (l33t FS) MegaDork
12/13/24 11:09 a.m.

Incidentally, do a GIS for "Wartburg gasser" and be amazed/proud.

 

It's hard to believe that it's the same car.

Patrick
Patrick MegaDork
12/15/24 9:17 p.m.

I feel slightly called out. Guess I need to get the carb dialed in...

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