Auto Union DKW 1000S

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The smart and forward-thinking DKW was manufactured within the titanic Auto-Union group, makers of some of the finest racing cars the world has ever seen.

Before the Second World War, DKW had been Europe’s largest motorcycle manufacturer and a two-stroke specialist. Therefore, it wasn’t surprising that it brought its torquey, high-revving motors to its car models as well.

The Auto Union 1000 ran from 1958 to 1963 and was a more powerful version of the DKW 3=6. The 981cc three-cylinder engine was mounted longitudinally with the radiator behind and drove the front wheels through a four-speed transaxle gearbox. Early versions produced 44bhp, but this was uprated to 50bhp in the S model (as here).

With no transmission tunnel, the compact saloon was roomier than its most direct rival, the Volkswagen Beetle, and came in two- or four-door saloon form and as a three-door estate and a pillarless two-door coupe. From 1961 it gained a ‘Frischolautomatik’ system (clean oil regulator) which greatly reduced the blue smoke emissions so characteristic of two-stroke engines.

With its torquey, high-revving engine and four wheel independent suspension – transverse leaf spring up front and trailing arms at the rear – the 3=6 and the 1000 showed their worth in European touring car racing in the late-1950s.

When tested by The Motor in 1960, a 1000S Coupe had a top speed of 81mph with 26mpg economy although its expensive £1,259 price tag was remarked upon, this being £111 more than the much larger Austin Westminster. Around 171,000 were sold worldwide before production came to an end in 1963.

Dating from the last year of production, this 1000S two-door saloon was first UK registered in December 2015 and has had just one owner since. The vendor states that the car is in “very original condition with very little evidence of any previous restoration and virtually no rust – even the seats are original”. Further described as “an honest car in lovely condition” it is also said “to drive really well with a recent brake overhaul and a good set of tyres”.

Used regularly in the UK and no stranger to film work, it has an MOT until October 2016 with no advisories recorded and is ready to enjoy right away.