Barkas B1000 Minibus - (1970) - DeAgostini/IST Models

        Barkas B1000 a fost o furgoneta produsa intr-o fabrica noua din Republica Democrata Germana (DDR), pe locul fostei fabrici Framo, in orasul Karl-Marx-Stadt (actual Chemnitz), vechea fabrica fiind luata de rusi ca reparatii de razboi, la sfarsitul anilor '40. Productia a inceput in 1961 si a continuat pana in 1991. A fost propulsat initial de un motor de 45 de cai, in trei cilindri si doi timpi. Acest motor a fost derivat din cel de la DKW si a fost folosit in paralel si de Wartburg. A fost considerat echicvalentul lui VW T1 si T2 pentru Germania de Est, fiind considerat chiar mai bun din punct de vedere practic si al configurabilitatii, datorita amplasarii frontale a motorului. A fost destinat in principal serviciilor publice, iar persoanele private asteptau pana la 14 ani pt unul. S-au produs aproximativ 175.000 de exemplare.

        Macheta este produsa de IST Models. Ea reproduce varianta microbus a Barkas-ului, alte variante fiind duba inchisa, fara geamuri, si pick-up, pe care sper sa mi le adaug candva la colectie. Produsa de IST, pt DeAgostini, macheta are lipsurile specifice machetelor de revista. Cel mai mare minus mi se pare lipsa farurilor de ceata, care desi optionale ii dau un aspect deosebit Barkas-ului. Am impresia ca nici masca nu urmareste exact conturul corect. Oglinzile si stergatoarele sunt realizate peste medie, inscriptiile de asemenea. Jantele sunt asortate cu caroseria si frumos realizate.


Barkas B1000 Minibus - (1970) - IST Models

         Barkas B1000 was a van produced in a new factory from Deutsch Democratic Republic, on the site of the Former Framo factory, in the actual city of Chemnitz. Production started in 1961 and continued until 1991. It had a 3 cyilinder, 3 stroke, 45 hp engine. This engine derived from the DKW and was also used by Wartburg. Barkas was considered the equivalent of VW T1 and T2 for the East Germany, some features making it even better. It was much more variable in its configuration due to the frontal engine placement. It was mostly used by the public services. Private people waiting upto 14 years to get one. Aprox 175.000 pcs. were produced.

          The scale model is produced by IST Models. It replicates the minibus version of  the Barkas, some other versions being panel van and pick-up, which I hope to add to my collection sometimes. It has some lacks, specific to magazine models. The biggest lack is the missing fog lights. They were optional, to the real car, but they make the Barkas look nicer. It is possible that the front grille is also a bit wrong, but I am not very sure. The mirrors and the wipers are above average, the decals are too. The rims are assorted to the body, and very nice made.