Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Wheels Magazine's DKW reviews

DKW cars and motorcycles enjoyed a good reputation in Australia in the inter-war period and many motoring enthusiasts hoped DKW would make a return to the Australian market after the war. In January 1958 Australia's premier motoring magazine, Wheels, sent their reporter to Germany to test the new DKW 3=6. It received a very positive review but sales never eventuated and less than ten cars were ever imported into Australia.




The following year, in January 1959 Wheels had a four page feature on the DKW 3=6. The article even questioned Mercedes-Benz' failure to promote the DKW in the Australian market.





By 1962 DKW had still not returned to the Australian market but in their August issue Wheels Magazine again sent a writer to Germany to review the new Junior model.




In 1965 Wheels reviewed the DKW F102. Once again it was a positive review and it was forecast that the larger DKW would receive a positive welcome back in Australia. Later the same year the F102 was replaced by the new Audi F103. It would be several more years before Audi's reached Australian shores.


Monday, September 3, 2012

DKW Feature - Unique Cars 1998



Unique Cars magazine Australia published an article in 1998 featuring Gerry Padley's restoration of an Auto-Union 1000S - the 'big DKW.' This car was one of only six DKWs imported in 1958 as a test of the market. Unfortunately none of the cars sold and all were abandoned. Gerry found the car and restored it over a number of years. He also owned a DKW Munga and several DKW motorcycles and was a founding member of the DKW Club of Australia, now the Historic Register of German Vehicles. http://news.drive.com.au/drive/motor-news/1958-dkw-f93-20060607-13ydf.html

The car is now owned by Gerry's son Neil.