For eleven years – until the border opened in 1989 – the Trabant 601 S de Luxe remained the coveted mass car in East Germany. Production in Zwickau came to an end forever in 1990. It’s no surprise that WIKING honored the Zwickau “racing cardboard” early on by miniaturizing this enduring classic in a subtle alpine blue. A staggering 9,700 East Marks had to be laid down by East German citizens since 1978 if they wanted to own the most expensive version of the 601 S de Luxe, not to mention the waiting time of a good ten years! Automotive modesty was, after all, a forced part of everyday culture in East Germany. In fact, the proud Trabant owner received a special package for the luxury version, which included a narrow shelf under the already spartan dashboard, interval windshield wipers, and a hazard warning system. The body is alpine blue, with a silver chassis. The interior features a steering wheel in agate gray. The headlights are transparent, and the taillights are red-transparent. The grille is silvered, and the front turn signals are printed in orange. The windows have black surrounds, and the front wipers are also black. Door handles are black, and the rear inscription reads "Trabant 601 S de Luxe" in black. Reflectors are printed in signal red, and the trunk lock is silvered. The rims are silver with black hubcaps and wheel nuts.