Robur Truck

Produced between 1961 and 1991, the Robur is an iconic symbol of the GDR. Manufactured as a truck and a bus in Zittau, Germany, the Robur came in a wide range of available versions – at its peak, there were as many as 80.

At the Leipzig Fair in 1961, the Robur LO 2500 truck was presented, with a load capacity of 2.5 tons, an engine displacement of 3.3 liters, and 70 HP, marking the beginning of the 30-year history of this iconic truck. The Robur immediately went into mass production, which led to many trucks with different engines and applications, including passenger transport, being released onto roads worldwide.

Despite its weaknesses, the Robur in the 1960s was not an entirely outdated vehicle, as it found many buyers around the world. The undeniable advantages of this vehicle were its simple and durable construction, as well as the availability of many body versions. The price was also an enticing aspect. One of the Robur variants was the LO/LD-1800 with all-wheel drive, which was designed for the military. This version of the truck was used in the Polish People's Army, the East German army, and the armed forces of countries with hot climates – Iraq, Syria, Egypt, and Libya. The Robur's advantage in coping with such a climate was its air-cooled engine.

During the peak production period, at the beginning of the 1980s, as many as 80% of the produced vehicles were exported. The decline of Robur production occurred at the turn of 1989 and 1990, due to customers' overdue payment obligations. Moreover, after the fall of the GDR, local customers increasingly turned to used vehicles from European manufacturers, and the outdated Robur trucks faded into the background.

However, this does not mean that Robur trucks have been forgotten – they remain vivid in the memories of many people, just as they were in the iconic 1980s. Approximately 250,000 units were produced worldwide, allowing the Robur truck to travel to many corners of the world. The T-shirt with a drawing depicting the Robur was created to cherish your and your loved ones' memories. Let it explore even more!

The author of the drawing is the Wrocław artist Paweł Grabowski.