Barkas V 901-3
Built: 1957-1957 · Series: Other models
More machines from model year 1957
Not the right version? The data comes from vehicle registers holding many near-identical versions side by side. Photograph the data plate — we read make and type from it. Open the scanner e-mail address required
Barkas – other models: collective page of the East German B1000 van and its Framo predecessors from Hainichen and Karl-Marx-Stadt, three-cylinder two-stroke of 900 to 1,000 cm³, 18 to 28 kW
This page gathers Barkas vans and their Framo predecessors that the register could not assign to a named range. Framo was founded in Hainichen in Saxony and built three-wheeled and small delivery vehicles there for the East German economy from the 1950s; in 1958 production passed to the newly founded VEB Barkas-Werke in Karl-Marx-Stadt (today Chemnitz). From 1961 the Barkas B1000 was built there, produced almost unchanged until the end of East Germany in 1991, based on a three-cylinder two-stroke engine derived from the Wartburg unit.
Read on 3 more paragraphs
The register lists 34 versions here with 18 to 28 kW, all with three-cylinder engines of 900 to 1,000 cm³, kerb weights of 950 to 1,690 kg, gross vehicle weights of 1,439 to 3,500 kg, lengths of 4,600 to 4,730 mm and widths of 1,570 to 1,930 mm.
The Barkas B1000 was for decades practically East Germany's only light van, used equally as a box van, estate, pick-up and ambulance by trades, retail, the fire brigade and emergency services. After German reunification production ended in 1991, and without a direct successor the Barkas remained a symbol of East German commercial-vehicle manufacturing.
When buying a used Barkas or Framo, key checks include frame and floor corrosion, the condition of the two-stroke engine including pistons and cylinder liners, and the sealing of the often simple bodywork. Brakes and wheel bearings should be checked especially thoroughly given the age of the vehicles. Spare parts are available through an active scene of Barkas clubs and East German classic-vehicle dealers; no new parts have been supplied by the manufacturer since the factory closed.
Technical data
Engine
| Power | 18 kWcorrect |
|---|---|
| Cylinders | 3correct |
| Displacement | 900 cm³correct |
Dimensions and weights
| Length | 4,600 mmcorrect |
|---|---|
| Width | 1,850 mmcorrect |
| Unladen weight | 1,050 kgcorrect |
| Gross vehicle weight | 1,940 kgcorrect |
Drivetrain and chassis
| Gears | 4correct |
|---|
Where this model stands
Power-to-weight ratio: 17.1 kW/t (18 kW / 1.1 t)
Stronger than 0% of the vans in the register — out of 7,145 models with a stated power figure.
Calculated from the documented figures above — not a rating.
Frequently asked questions
How much power does the Barkas V 901-3 have?
The Barkas V 901-3 delivers 18 kW.
How much does the Barkas V 901-3 weigh?
The unladen weight is 1,050 kg.
What is the gross vehicle weight of the Barkas V 901-3?
1,940 kg.
What engine does the Barkas V 901-3 have?
3 cylinders, 900 cm³ displacement.
What are the dimensions of the Barkas V 901-3?
4,600 mm × 1,850 mm.
When was the Barkas V 901-3 built?
Production years: 1957.
What to check before buying
- Check the hour meter against the service records — a replaced instrument is the most common gap.
- Compare the data plate and chassis number with the papers.
- Check the weights in the papers against the figures here — attachments change them.
- Ask about parts availability for this build year — the running costs hang on it.
A general list for this type of machine — no substitute for an inspection or an appraiser.
We do not sell machines. We ask the dealers who carry this model and come back with price and lead time.
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This page carries 9 individual figures for this model. They come from 1 recorded source; every figure can be traced there. What we cannot document is not here — we leave gaps open rather than estimate them.
The technical data on this page comes from official vehicle registration records (RDW/Traficom), not from the manufacturer.
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Other models in this series
Sources: [1]
Van in 3D section
Turn the model, look inside and click an assembly — each one is explained.