History
The DKW (Dampf-Kraft Wagen = steam powered car) company perfected the two stroke engine in 1927 and by 1937 had become the world's biggest motorcycle manufacturer. In 1931 DKW formed the auto conglomerate Auto-Union with three other Saxon car companies, Audi, Horch and Wanderer.
In 1928 DKW began building simple, wooden cars powered by their two cylinder two stroke engine. They continued to develop their small budget cars range right through the 1930s, becoming the second largest car manufacturer in Germany after Opel. In 1939 they introduced the stunning, streamlined all metal 3=6 sedan but the war intervened.
After the war the company split into fragments. All Auto Union's factories were in the Soviet zone and were nationalised under the IFA banner. IFA released their version of the 3=6 in 1949 and it remained in production until 1956.
DKW meanwhile was re-established in West Germany at Ingolstadt and began their version of the 3=6 in 1953. It remained in production for ten years and hundreds of thousands were sold across Europe, South America and South Africa. All DKWs cars were powered by their small, efficient two stroke engine.
In 1964 VW bought Auto Union and immediately put an end to DKW's two strokes. They re-engined the DKW F106 with a four stroke engine and rebadged it an Audi, re-starting the company we know today.
I Imported this lovely and well maintained 4 door sedan from South Africa in 2012. I am the third owner.
