Lăstun

Dacia 500 - Lastun http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Shop/1185/d500c.jpg

Information of this car including the logo and poster can be found at: http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Shop/1185/index.html

This is the first car completely designed and manufactured in Romania. The model has in common with the company in Colibasi Romania only the name, “Dacia”, being totally different. The car was called “Lastun” too. History: In March 1980, The Ministry of Machines Construction decided to design and manufacture a small, economical city car, supposed to be suitable for 2+2 persons (2 adults and 2 children), max. speed 70km/h, max. consumption 2-3 liters gasoline/100km. It was decided to be a 2-door, "coach" type body, front wheel drive, and transversal situated engine. After the tests, it resulted a 2-cylinder, air cooled engine, 499 ccm, 22.5 HP, 3.3 liters gasolione/100km, max. speed 106 km/h. The body was made of synthetic material, (a type of fiber glass), offering a high corrosion resistance. The manufacturer was Tehnometal, which became later Intreprinderea de Autoturisme from Timisoara, Romania. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timisoara) This car was produced only in reduced series, until 1989. At TIB* 1989 it was presented the model DACIA 500 LASTUN with an enlarged body. In this option the car could accommodate four people in a higher comfort, and having more room in the trunk. This model wasn't produced in series production.

• TIB is the International Exhibition Bucharest

Source / about the author: my name is Nick Seghedi. I created the above mentioned web site for "Dacia 500" web site in 1996-1998, using my experience as an owner of a "Dacia 500" also called "Lastun", (see pictures), and also having an involvement with the design of this car; (mostly the logo). Please let me know if you have any concerns of questions regarding the s content. Please note the email dacia500@hotmail.com is not valid anymore you can contact me at: nickseghedi@yahaoo.com