DKW
(1928 - 1970)
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Germany
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DKW - aren't they those cute Volkswagen competitors that helped shape the Swiss street scene in the 1950s and early 1960s with their characteristic two-stroke noise and subtle oil plume? Yes, exactly - and they have an interesting pre-war history.
When you think of the DKW transporter, you are instinctively reminded of the milkman who carted fresh dairy products from house to house in the morning. But the DKW also served well as a mule in other sectors. And it formed the basis for DKW's automobile production after the war. This report summarizes the history of the practical multi-purpose vehicle, showing it in historical pictures including operating instructions!
DKW broke completely new ground with the special class. The two-stroke with 896 cm3 and 34 hp reached 120 km/h, but the competition had to make a big effort if they wanted to keep up. And obviously no one in the 1950s was complaining about the unusual driving noise or the special scent, but 'hobby' test driver Sponsel was delighted with the new model. This article reproduces the original wording of the test at the time and shows the DKW special class in a wealth of historical images, including original brochures.
As early as 1934, Auto Union AG from Saxony founded the sales company "Auto Union Brazil Limitada" in Rio de Janeiro. However, the branch was never really able to gain a foothold and by the end of the Second World War it was already over again. After the war, Auto Union GmbH re-entered the Brazilian market in the same year as VW. This was at a time when South America was on the rise and the government had begun to develop its own national automotive industry. Auto Union took part in this by supporting VEMAG and, a little later, "Elektro-Industria Walita SA" from Sao Paolo. VEMAG eventually produced DKW models itself, which proved successful on the Brazilian market. A hoped-for deal in the armaments business failed to materialize because the American competition had too much influence... This is the first part of the report on Auto Union's South American experiment.
The public saw the DKW "Monza" for the first time at the 1955 Frankfurt Motor Show, although it was not yet called the "Monza" but the "DKW-based sports coupé". The attractive little car was exhibited on the Dannenhauer and Stauss stand and had a hard time - at the same time, BMW presented its "507", which immediately became the superstar of the event with its ravishing lines, pushing all the other exhibits into the background. This article takes a look at the history of the DKW Monza, of which only around 155 were built, and shows some rarely seen pictures.
In 1956, Auto Union GmbH laid to rest a project that was not only ambitious but also highly innovative. The company had spent six years developing new models, focusing almost consistently on the development of a production body made of plastic. This report describes the history of the project and the reasons for its failure, illustrated with many previously unseen images.
Rarely in the history of the automobile has a proven model had to wait so long for its successor, has an 'interregnum' (as it would be called in history) lasted so long. A few thousand veterans from the heyday of the little DKW have survived the years and are still clattering more or less doggedly on the roads today, holding up the aged banner. Now, however, they can finally go to their well-earned rest. The 'late-born' is here, the succession is assured! In 1959, Hobby magazine had the opportunity to drive and test the DKW Junior. And they were impressed by what was on offer: the DKW Junior was a very good performer. The DKW Junior was described as a carefully constructed and fully equipped car. More detailed observations can be found in the full version of this test report from 1959.
The DKW Junior had largely done away with the usual two-stroke prejudices and brought Auto Union a significant sales success. However, it still had a few unpleasant peculiarities: running on a mixture of fuel and lubricating oil caused wrinkled noses and made refueling difficult. The Junior de Luxe presented in 1961 showed better manners and consistently made up for the weaknesses of its predecessor. This article quotes a test report from February 1962 and shows the saloon in extensive historical images and sales material.
When the Auto Union 1000 S came onto the market, its design and most of its technology were already 20 years old. This didn't stop DKW fans from buying the 50 hp two-stroke, as it was not only possible to be among the fastest on the road, but also in slalom races or rallies at the weekend. This driving report tells the story of the two-door Auto Union 1000 S and shows it in current and historical pictures, as well as in the sales brochure. Of course, a sound sample is also included.
From 1957 to 1965, Auto Union built the 1000 Sp sports car, initially only as a coupé, later also as a roadster. Around 6,400 vehicles, most of them coupés, were produced and equipped with the proven technology of the DKW/Auto Union mass-produced models. This vehicle report tells the story of the beautiful coupé, describes a vehicle built in 1962 in detail in words and pictures and provides further insights with sales brochures and press documents.
Although originally developed for the military, the Auto-Union Munga soon became very popular with foresters and farmers for civilian use. Unlike many of its competitors, it could also be driven like a passenger car on asphalt roads despite its off-road talent. This article reproduces a test report (more of an experience report, according to the author) from 1962 and shows the "multi-purpose universal all-terrain vehicle with four-wheel drive" in historical photos.
At the beginning of the sixties, the DKW Junior had successfully fought for its place in the car market. But the competition did not sleep. DKW responded with the Junior de Luxe, which, with a displacement increase of 50 cm3, could do almost everything better than the "normal" Junior, which continued to be built initially. At least that was the opinion of engineer Bartsch in his test in the Motor Rundschau in 1962, formulated as always soberly and factually. This report reproduces the original wording of the "major test" at the time and shows the Junior and Junior de Luxe in many historical illustrations, as well as in two sales brochures of the time.
DKW vs. Fiat vs. VW - this is the title of the third hobby super test. The third edition of this popular test series chases the aforementioned vehicles with the maximum permissible load weight over a total of 25 mountain passes. Of course, crazy experiments, as they can only come from the hobby testers, are not missing here either... A subsequent dissection of the vehicles and a comprehensive evaluation are of course also included.
The fact that a large majority cannot understand the views of a small minority and collectively shake their heads in resignation is not only seen in times of medical crises. In an automotive context, society was probably similarly divided at the beginning of the sixties. At that time, the dominance of four-stroke engines had long been established, but a few stubborn manufacturers were still producing two-stroke cars, including DKW. Although the F 12 had its flaws, its performance and equipment were more than respectable even in comparison with the four-stroke competition... You can find out more about this small mid-range car in the original test report from 1963 and from the historical photos.
When the 'hobby' makers were allowed to test the DKW F12 in 1963, they had high praise for the little car. Above all, its lightness, safety and excellent equipment were highly praised. Nevertheless, they still had a few niggles. This historical test report from 1963 shows the strengths and weaknesses from a contemporary perspective, supplemented with a sales brochure and many historical pictures of the F 12.
Premium
DKW F12 - The 40 hp Mercedes
Although the F12 was a completely new car, from the outside it was hardly distinguishable from its predecessor, the Junior de Luxe. Only the slightly higher windows made it appear a little more leggy. The two-stroke engine was also retained, which was traditional for DKW, but also had some disadvantages compared to its four-stroke competitors. This vehicle report describes the strengths and weaknesses of the little one and shows it in many pictures.
When everyone else had long since given up on the two-stroke engine, DKW stuck to its guns. In the mid-sixties, they had even developed it into an engine that was almost competitive again: quiet, high-torque, refined - if only it hadn't been for the enormous mixture thirst. The engine prevented a more successful career for the DKW F 102. In 1965, the test report stated that the small quality car would only be bought with a two-stroke engine despite its engine, but not because of it.
Current market prices for DKW
2-Door Sedan, 23 PS, 684 cm3
2-Door Sedan, 23 PS, 684 cm3
Convertible, 23 PS, 684 cm3
null, 23 PS, 684 cm3
Coupe, 23 PS, 684 cm3
Station Wagon, 23 PS, 684 cm3
2-Door Sedan, 34 PS, 896 cm3
Convertible, 34 PS, 896 cm3
null, 34 PS, 896 cm3
Coupe, 34 PS, 896 cm3
null, 34 PS, 896 cm3
2-Door Sedan, 38 PS, 906 cm3
Coupe, 38 PS, 906 cm3
null, 38 PS, 906 cm3
null, 38 PS, 906 cm3
2-Door Sedan, 39 PS, 906 cm3
Coupe, 39 PS, 906 cm3
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Auctioned vehicles of DKW
| Brand | Model | Year | Status | Auction name | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DKW Meisterklasse F 8-700 1938 Sold Henry's Mutterstadt Auktion (August 28, 2015) |
Meisterklasse F 8-700 | 1938 | Sold | Henry's Mutterstadt Auktion (August 28, 2015) | |
| DKW 1000 S 1963 Sold Brightwells Classic & Vintage Cars and Motorcycles (July 13, 2016) |
1000 S | 1963 | Sold | Brightwells Classic & Vintage Cars and Motorcycles (July 13, 2016) | |
| DKW F11 1964 Sold Dorotheum Fahrzeug Auktionen Klassische Fahrzeuge und Automobilia (June 8, 2013) |
F11 | 1964 | Sold | Dorotheum Fahrzeug Auktionen Klassische Fahrzeuge und Automobilia (June 8, 2013) | |
| DKW HOLKA F 8-700 1940 Sold Oldtimer Galerie Toffen Toffen Auktion (April 25, 2015) |
HOLKA F 8-700 | 1940 | Sold | Oldtimer Galerie Toffen Toffen Auktion (April 25, 2015) | |
| DKW F5 700 De Luxe 1937 Sold H&H Classics Buxton Auction (July 23, 2014) |
F5 700 De Luxe | 1937 | Sold | H&H Classics Buxton Auction (July 23, 2014) | |
| DKW AU 1000 S DeLuxe 1964 Sold Barons British Heritage, Classic and Sports Cars (September 15, 2015) |
AU 1000 S DeLuxe | 1964 | Sold | Barons British Heritage, Classic and Sports Cars (September 15, 2015) | |
| DKW 3-6 1954 Not Sold Coys Athens Auciton (June 15, 2013) |
3-6 | 1954 | Not Sold | Coys Athens Auciton (June 15, 2013) | |
| DKW RT 200VS 1959 Not Sold Bonhams The Summer Classic Sale (June 20, 2015) |
RT 200VS | 1959 | Not Sold | Bonhams The Summer Classic Sale (June 20, 2015) | |
| DKW Auto Union Schnellaster Tieflader 3=6 1955 Sold Gooding & Co. The Scottsdale Auctions (January 16, 2015) |
Auto Union Schnellaster Tieflader 3=6 | 1955 | Sold | Gooding & Co. The Scottsdale Auctions (January 16, 2015) | |
| DKW Meisterklasse F 8 Sport 1939 Not Sold Auctionata Berlin Sale (November 24, 2015) |
Meisterklasse F 8 Sport | 1939 | Not Sold | Auctionata Berlin Sale (November 24, 2015) |
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