History
Wartburg 311
Introduced in 1956, the Wartburg 311 represented a significant advancement in East German automotive production, replacing the antiquated EMW 340. The car featured a 900cc three-cylinder two-stroke engine producing 37 hp, driving the front wheels through a four-speed gearbox. Its modern three-box styling with pontoon fenders represented current Western design trends, and build quality exceeded most Eastern European competitors. The 311 was extensively exported to earn hard currency, with special models like the camping wagon and coupe variants. Over 200,000 units were produced before the updated 353 model appeared in 1966.