During the Sandinista regime in the 1980's, Nicaragua received large numbers of East German IFA and Robur trucks. Many received "bus" bodies and have become synonymous with rural buses. The IFA's clearance makes them particularly suited for this type of work. Unfortunately, their technical quality is mediocre, and especially the brakes are a source of concern. In Nicaragua, IFA has become an acronym for a vehicle with failing brakes! Regularly newspapers report on accidents with IFA trucks because of brake failures. But still, they continue to be used......

The bodywork may vary from a simple wooden structure to an adapted school bus body that has been salvaged from an old school bus. One of the buses shown has a Blue Bird bus body. IFA's smaller brother is the Robur, also from East Germany. Smaller numbers are used as rural buses in a very basic form. One is shown.

Chassis Manufacturer:

IFA, East Germany

Body Manufacturer:

(various)

Photo Locations:

Nicaragua (various)

Photo Date:

1998, 1999, 2001

Photo Provided By:

John Veerkamp

Originally published on WBX:

       15-June-2001