Ambassador on wheels
Rolf Becker
Rolf Becker, a native of Halle, Germany, is on his third visit to America. Each time he visits—the first time right after the Berlin Wall crumbled, the second time in 1996 for the Atlanta Olympics—Becker tours the states in his Trabant, or “Trabi,” considered the Chevrolet of East Germany. He calls himself (and his car) an ambassador to the American people, a bridge between Americans and the people of his East German homeland. His American travels, which have him meeting New York governors and making newspaper headlines across the country, are not his only claim to fame. As a street organ player in the 1980s, Becker played the street organ for, among others, Mikhail Gorbachev, Henry Kissenger and Jimmy Carter. He even holds a Guinness World Record for the longest period of continuous street organ playing. Becker stopped in Reno on his way to Salt Lake City for the Olympics.
Why drive a Trabant?
It is the symbol of East Germany, of the unification [of East and West Germany]. It draws attention. The people in America see it, and they say, “This is a funny Mr. Bean car.” In Hollywood, the value of the Trabi is higher than that of the Rolls Royce. There are hundreds of Rolls Royces and only one Trabi. I would trade the Trabi for a Rolls Royce, but they would have to give me money compensation. I brought the first Trabi car into the United States. … I was driving and first I was alone. I had $100, I had my Trabi, and I had my baby English. I had not then the feel for the people. I think this car is a wonderful advertising space. I had written [on the car], “My next car will be a ?” I had hoped Chevrolet [or another American auto manufacturer] would sponsor me. And then the St. Louis Post—they are very good journalists, it is a paper of image—said, “Have a burger and a beer, and tell me your story.” I did not have much money. And then I was in the St. Louis Post, and after that [I had enough money to go] to L.A.
Why L.A.?
Every good star starts in Hollywood.
How did you end up coming through Reno?
I was in Yosemite. I wanted to go to Las Vegas. I saw the road signs for Las Vegas and I thought I should see it. … It is big and everybody always [wants to go to Las Vegas]. Then a friend told me on the phone, “Do not go to Las Vegas. You have to go to Reno; you will see Reno is better for you than Las Vegas.”
What do you think of Reno?
I looked for a motel for $25, and it was the coldest. [But] the man was nice, and I took another blanket. Then I looked in the room and switched on the heat, and it was like a locomotive, chhrugg, chhrugg. Then I went to Circus Circus for dinner and met Kristi from the RSCVA. She recommended [contacting the National Automobile Museum and the RN&R].
Are you still planning to go to Las Vegas?
No, forget Las Vegas. Next I will go to Salt Lake City for the Olympics.
This isn’t your first Olympic visit. Why do you make it a point to go?
The Olympics is a stage—a stage for life.