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 stretched the wheelbase while fitting a Subaru Legacy engine in the trunk. …

Read the rest of the story

nocones
nocones GRM+ Memberand 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 GRM+ Memberand 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 GRM+ Memberand 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....

You'll need to log in to post.

Our Preferred Partners
qlmF3UmOdRjVmmLb0rnPUe4GLjkAlHWX4Jo4oZpgryNhbbc0s0eGttRAbrQBTC0E