The P601A was an open-topped "Kübelwagen" patrol car in East Germany. The Drivetrain was identical to the regular Trabant, but it came with stronger bumpers, extra lights, radio equipment, a mount for a machine gun, and most notably an open top and a lack of doors. According to different sources between 6000 and 11000 were built, around 1400 are still in drivable condition.
The main task of the P601A was patrolling the "Kontrollstreifen", the restricted area along the inner-German border. For actual offensive actions the East Germans were using the UAZ 469
There was also a civilian variant called the P601F, without the radio equipment, machine gun mount, and different lights. They found some use in forestry.
by HATECELL
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