| Production | |
|---|---|
| Model Year: | 1969 |
| Production Years: | 1966 - 1991 discontinued in 1991 |
Precise measurements of the 1969 Wartburg 353 Tourist, engineered for optimal performance and comfort
| Tire Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Rims Size: | 13 |
| Tire Size: | 185/65 R13 (W:185 | H:65 | D:13) |
The Wartburg 353 Tourist, produced from 1966 through 1991, is the station wagon variant of the iconic Wartburg 353 lineup, which solidified its place among Eastern Bloc automobiles during the Cold War era. Designed primarily as a practical family car, the 353 Tourist balances utility and modest dimensions suited for everyday use. It features 13-inch rims outfitted with 185/65 R13 tires, which provide a stable and comfortable ride on various road conditions. While detailed overall length, width, and height measurements are not provided here, typical Wartburg 353 models measure approximately 4.15 meters (163 inches) in length, 1.60 meters (63 inches) in width, and 1.42 meters (56 inches) in height, providing a compact yet spacious station wagon body style. The body design favors functionality, offering ample cargo space and seating capacity, making it ideal for families and transport needs in a utilitarian style. The Wartburg 353 Tourist remains a symbol of durable, economical transport with its simple mechanical layout and a reputation for reliable service across many years of production. Its 13-inch wheels with relatively narrow tires reflect the standards of the time, focusing on longevity over sporty handling. Today, the Wartburg 353 Tourist is appreciated by vintage car collectors and enthusiasts for its unique place in automotive history and Eastern European motoring culture.
Discover the standout features that make the 1969 Wartburg 353 Tourist a leader in its class
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The Wartburg 353 Tourist station wagon has a length of approximately 4,290 mm (168.9 inches), a width of 1,630 mm (64.2 inches), and a height of 1,410 mm (55.5 inches). These dimensions make it a moderately sized vehicle for its time, providing a spacious interior and cargo capacity suitable for family use while maintaining manageable exterior proportions for driving and parking.
The Wartburg 353 Tourist weighs roughly 1,000 kg to 1,100 kg (about 2,205 to 2,425 pounds), depending on the specific trim and features. This weight is relatively light compared to many Western European and American station wagons of the late 1960s and 1970s, which often weighed more due to larger engines and additional equipment. The lighter weight contributes to its modest fuel consumption and agility in urban environments.
The Wartburg 353 Tourist offers a spacious cargo area that can be expanded by folding the rear seats, allowing for increased luggage or goods space. Exact cargo volume figures are less commonly documented, but its station wagon design prioritizes practicality, making it ideal for families or transporting goods. The layout allows for versatile storage options, characteristic of station wagons in its class during the production period from 1966 to 1991.
With a width of 1,630 mm (64.2 inches), the Wartburg 353 Tourist offers enough cabin space to seat five adults, though it might be a snug fit depending on individual body sizes and comfort expectations. Its interior layout was designed to maximize space utility, typical for station wagons of the era, accommodating five passengers with adequate shoulder room without excessive crowding.
The Wartburg 353 Tourist is equipped with 13-inch rims accompanied by tires sized 185/65 R13. This tire size balances ride comfort and handling for a vehicle of this size, providing suitable road grip and maintaining the original handling characteristics intended by the manufacturer. These sizes are practical for the station wagon’s usage in diverse driving conditions typical across its production period.
Yes, the Wartburg 353 Tourist fits comfortably into a standard home garage. Standard garage dimensions typically are around 2.4 to 3 meters (7.9 to 9.8 feet) wide and around 5 to 6 meters (16.4 to 19.7 feet) deep, whereas the Wartburg 353 Tourist measures approximately 4.29 meters (14.1 feet) long and 1.63 meters (5.3 feet) wide. This makes it well-suited to fit into most common residential garages without issue.
Compared to its predecessor, the Wartburg 311, the 353 Tourist station wagon featured a more modern and aerodynamic design along with various improvements. The 353 model introduced a larger and more spacious body with better weight distribution and updated mechanical components. In terms of dimensions, the Wartburg 353 generally offered slightly increased interior room and more practical station wagon utility compared to the older 311 model, reflecting the evolving standards of the late 1960s and 1970s.
The Wartburg 353 Tourist was competitively sized when compared to contemporaneous Eastern European station wagons like the Trabant 601 Universal and the Lada 1200 wagon. It generally offered slightly more interior space and a sturdier build. While slightly larger and heavier than the Trabant 601 Universal, it matched or was a bit smaller than some Soviet Lada models. Its dimensions and layout made it a practical choice for families needing slightly more cargo space without a marked increase in vehicle footprint.
The Wartburg 353 Tourist was typically equipped with a 993 cc two-stroke, three-cylinder engine producing around 50 horsepower, paired with a 4-speed manual transmission. While not powerful by modern standards, this setup was reliable and sufficient for everyday use, including city driving and modest highway speeds. The vehicle was known for its simplicity and ease of maintenance, characteristics important for drivers in the Eastern Bloc during its production.
The Wartburg 353 Tourist stands at about 1,410 mm (55.5 inches) tall, offering a comfortable cabin height with reasonable headroom for passengers. Its ground clearance varies depending on load and suspension conditions but generally provides enough clearance for typical road conditions in urban and rural Eastern European environments. This combination of height and ground clearance supports versatility, enabling the station wagon to handle uneven roads and light off-road conditions better than many passenger cars of the era.
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