"Larry Roll K3LT" wrote

That's Traubant, which means "grape." While stationed in Germany, I used
to see them occasionally. Traubant drivers were usually experts in the
navigation of the many back roads of Germany, since they dared not to
venture out on the Autobahns. Their wheezing little 2-cycle engine only
put out about 24 horsepower, the thing simply couldn't accelerate at all.
I've never driven a "Trubby," but I'm told it's a very lawnmower-like
experience.

I spent a month in DL last spring and noticed a few of those still on the
roads. Most of my time was in "previously West Germany", so they may be
more prevalent in other parts of the country. The current
'econo-box-of-choice' seems to be the "SmartCar", a joint effort between
Mercedes and Swatch (yes, the watch company who wanted to launch a ham-radio
satelite with commercial messages a few years ago).

73, de Hans, K0HB