4th Simson + Ostblock Vehicle Meet Nordsachsen

The East Rolls — East German Vehicle Culture

Simson and MZ — these are the sounds of a whole generation in East Germany. Simson AG from Suhl (Thuringia) built the famous Schwalbe, S 50, S 51, and KR 51 mopeds between 1955 and 1990, which were the first vehicles for many GDR citizens. MZ from Zschopau (Saxony) — the state-owned factory Motorradwerk Zschopau — produced robust mid-range and heavy-duty motorcycles between 1956 and 1990, exported to over 100 countries. The Trabant from Zwickau, with its Duroplast body and two-stroke engine, has become an East German icon. Wartburg from Eisenach built more representative passenger cars. IFA trucks dominated freight transport. Today, these vehicles are cultural heritage — and their enthusiasts maintain them with great dedication.

4th Edition on June 13, 2026

Since 2023, the municipality of Löbnitz and the initiative «Der Osten rollt» (The East Rolls) have been inviting people to the Simson + Ostblock Vehicle Meet Nordsachsen once a year. On Saturday, June 13, 2026, the 4th edition will take place — as always, at the sports field in the Sausedlitz district. From around 10 AM, collectors, clubs, and private owners will present their vehicles. The meet is non-commercial and family-friendly — participants come from Nordsachsen, Saxony-Anhalt, Brandenburg, and Berlin.

What the Meet Showcases

Vehicles are lined up in groups on the sports field: Simson Mopeds — Schwalbe (GDR bestseller), S 50/51 (sport models), Star, Spatz, SR models. MZ Motorcycles — ETZ 125/150/250/251/301, ES 250/2, ETS 250 Trophy. Trabant Cars — 600, 601 (sedan, station wagon, Tramp), 1.1 (the last model with Polo engine from 1989). Wartburg Cars — 311, 312, 353, 1.3 (the Western engine model from 1988). IFA Trucks — W 50 (mid-range), L 60 (heavy). Others — Multicar, Barkas B 1000, Awo 425. The vehicles are in various states of preservation — from original finds and restoration projects to freshly painted concours pieces. Owners are available to answer questions and share their restoration stories.

Family Program

The meet is designed to be family-friendly. In addition to the exhibited vehicles, there are food stalls offering typical GDR specialties — Halberstädter sausages, Soljanka, Filinchen, Vita-Cola. Live music featuring Schlager, rock, and songs from GDR times. A bouncy castle area for children, a drawing table, and a small crafting activity. The meet usually peaks around midday; in the afternoon, it gradually winds down, with some participants gathering for a drive through the region.

Saxony, Nordsachsen, and Sausedlitz

Sausedlitz is a district of the municipality of Löbnitz in the Nordsachsen district, on the western edge of the state of Saxony, bordering Saxony-Anhalt. The municipality of Löbnitz consists of the districts Löbnitz, Roitzschjora, Sausedlitz, and Reibitz. Until 1991, lignite was mined in the Goitzsche open-cast mine southwest of the municipality — the current lake landscape (Goitzsche, Seelhausener See) is a legacy of that time and now makes the area a popular local recreation spot in the Central German Lake District. The Simson meet fits the character of the region: rural, nostalgic, with a fond remembrance of East German identity.