DDR Oldtimer- und Simsontreffen Gingst

East German Mopeds and DDR Classics on the Island of Rügen

Gingst, a village of 1,300 inhabitants on the West Rügen peninsula in the Vorpommern-Rügen district, regularly becomes the venue for a meeting in June that attracts DDR vehicle enthusiasts from all over Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and beyond. The grounds of the Kleintierzuchtverein (KTZV) at Wiekstraße 5c are transformed for a day into an exhibition space for Trabant 601, Wartburg 353, Simson Schwalbe and Star, MZ ETZ, IFA trucks, and anything else that emerged from East German vehicle history between 1948 and 1990.

The Format: Trophies, Market, and Dance

The event typically runs from 10 AM to 6 PM. Throughout the day, visitors can admire the exhibited vehicles and chat with their owners. A jury judges the most beautiful cars in the 2-stroke and 4-stroke categories — the winners receive trophies. A dealer mile offers spare parts, accessories, and literature related to the world of DDR vehicles. For children, there's a program with a bouncy castle, DDR sports games, and Simson games (small skill games centered around the cult mopeds). A raffle completes the program. From 8 PM, an evening dance with live music or a DJ invites a convivial conclusion.

History and Growth

The meeting has been held annually since 2023 and is growing year by year. At the 2nd edition in 2024, over 50 vehicles were present, with an impressive IFA Horch H6 truck being a special attraction. The 3rd edition took place in 2025, followed by the 4th edition in 2026. The organizers are the »Interessengemeinschaft Jagdgeschwader Rügen« (Interest Group Jagdgeschwader Rügen), a loose association of classic car enthusiasts from the island, in cooperation with the KTZV Gingst.

Significance for the Region

Meetings like this contribute significantly to the preservation of DDR mobility culture in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Many participants travel from Rostock, Stralsund, Greifswald, or the surrounding hinterland. For the municipality of Gingst on West Rügen, it is an important early summer date — a day when the village becomes a meeting point for a passionate community for a few hours.