Robur Truck

Produced between 1961 and 1991, the Robur is an iconic symbol of the GDR. Manufactured as a truck and bus in Zittau, Germany, the Robur offered 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 payload capacity of 2.5 t, an engine displacement of 3.3 l, and 70 HP, marking the beginning of this iconic truck's 30-year history. The Robur immediately went into mass production, resulting in many trucks hitting global roads with various engines and applications, including passenger transport.

Despite its weaknesses, the Robur in the 1960s was not an entirely outdated vehicle, as it found many buyers worldwide. 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 attractive aspect. One variant of the Robur was the LO/LD-1800 with all-wheel drive, designed for military use. This version of the truck was used by 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 air-cooled engine was an asset in dealing with such climates.

At its production peak, in the early 1980s, up to 80% of manufactured vehicles were exported. The decline in Robur production occurred around 1989 and 1990, due to customers' untimely fulfillment of 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after the fall of the GDR, local customers increasingly turned to used vehicles from European manufacturers, and the outdated Robur trucks faded into obscurity.

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 and sold worldwide, allowing the Robur truck to explore many corners of the world. The t-shirt featuring a drawing of a Robur was created to cherish your and your loved ones' memories. Let it explore even more!

The author of the drawing is Wrocław artist Paweł Grabowski.