Even as the ruins of Germany were still smoking, home mechanics and sportsmen began tinkering with machines and competing in local motor sports. Sporting organisations were reformed and events recommenced. The Authorities in all the Occupation Zones regarded much of this activity as a waste of resources, but it kept people happy through these dark times and, as time went on, there was good prize money to be made. For the motoring industry, whether in the west or east, it was a good opportunity to showcase, test and improve their postwar products. It said "we are back!"
Illustrierter Motorsport was founded in the Soviet Occupation Zone in 1950, reporting on local and international motorsports. As 1954 started and East Germany changed course from hard-line Soviet-style industrialisation towards a consumer economy (see editorial below), Illustrierter Motorsport reflected the new, hopeful vision in its 1 January 1954 cover. The new East German motorscooter, the "Pitty" took pride of place on the front cover. It promised citizens cheap, effective and comfortable personal transport affordable to everyone. Unfortunately, behind the scenes the manufacturer, VEB Industrialwerkes of Ludwigsfelde (IWL), were struggling to address the new machine's many technical challenges. IWL had never built any kind of motor vehicle before, which was a problem in itself. Specialist parts, such as carburetors, brakes, suspension and even wheel rims, had to be manufactured by local workshops who also had little experience with these components. Parts failure was commonplace, consequently, the writers from Illustrierter Motorsport were denied the opportunity to take the machine for a test ride and technical review until March 1954. Even then the Pitty would not be available for sale until Christmas later that year.
West German critique:
https://dkwautounionproject.blogspot.com/2020/06/soviet-zone-scooter-debacle-der-speigel.html
Detailed history:
https://dkwautounionproject.blogspot.com/2019/09/east-german-iwl-scooters.html
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