Friday, November 20, 2015

DKW Selling Agents Newsletter - July 1937


Contents
1. Why advertise now?
2. From the mail bag
3. So what?
4. Why always so boring?
5. A cautionary tale...
6. Fixed price for a daring attitude
7. Our representative in Cologne raises a talking point
8. What the Imam of Yemen says about his Meisterklasse
9. You can crash an iron gate with a DKW. Another fact evidences the stability of the DKW body.
10. Aldekerk is certainly not a big city
11. 33 men and 1 DKW
12. DKW Lieferwagen
13. DKW around the world
14. A convincing statement
 


















Resistant against shock and weather.

A well used DKW's bodywork still needs care as they will have seen every kind of weather condition, from wind, dust, rain and snow.

And the bodywork can tolerate blows like a heavyweight boxer, which is proved by accident reports, of which we already have a number where we have read of DKWs that crashed through iron bars or where struck without damage to the body.

It is elastic. There have been cases in which a DKW has overturned or performed similar acrobatic feats without suffering damage because plywood is elastic and is resiliently pressed. This elasticity has preserved many a DKW owner from bodily harm many times.

A boon to the already sensitive nerves of the people of our day is the fact that the DKW plywood bodywork does not rattle and vibrate like a drum, but the vibration noise is absorbed within itself.

It's obvious but also needs to be said - the DKW plywood bodywork is the ideal bodywork.







Here is a link to the DKW Praxis (authorised repairer's magazine) - http://heinkelscooter.blogspot.com.au/2015/04/1938-dkw-praxis-magazine.html

DKW program - Frankfurt Motor Show 29 April 1951


The International Motor Show of 1952 in Frankfurt am Main is the German automobile industry's first opportunity after the war to display on German soil testimony of their unbroken skill and technical ability. For Auto Union,which had undoubtedly suffered the most unfortunate consequences of the war, this is especially true. Before the eyes of the public is presented an impressive overview of what has been created within barely two years literally out of nothing.

The biggest surprise to visitors of the exhibition in Frankfurt is the new DKW luxury two-seater,  coupe and convertible, which is revealed to German and international audiences for the first time. Another surprise is the new DKW meisterklasse as a sunroof sedan and the new DKW universal.  Furthermore, the already known DKW Schnellaster program is enriched with new versions.

Despite the different appearance of all these vehicles, they do have one thing in common: they are genuine DKW vehicles that carry with them 30 years of experience in two-stroke motor technology. They are cars that are famous for their proverbial fuel economy, reliability and unpretentious unique driving characteristics.

This special issue newsletter provides an overview of DKWs extensive production program.
















Thursday, November 19, 2015

DKW - the worthwhile decision!





This 1935 DKW advertisement asks prospective buyers what is the most important attribute for a car purchase - value for money!

DKW F7 Lieferwagen





Translation:
"Auto Union brings the unmatched economy and driving characteristics of the proven and popular DKW FRONT as a panel van with a load capacity of about 500 kg (including the driver). The demand for the greatest possible efficiency in transportation of goods and commodities of all kinds makes the DKW FRONT one of the most appropriate vehicles for transportation purposes. The proverbial frugality of his powerful 700cc, 20 horsepower two-stroke engine, which consumes only about 8 litres of fuel (including oil) per 100km, is suitable to meet your requirements in the best way."

"German businesses stand with the DKW Front vans as means of transport. A fast, economical and reliable addition to your business, with handsome exterior lines, practical and reliable equipment and an engine and chassis that are similar to those of the known DKW championships class, it only lacks the freewheeling. The body is made of the well-known DKW type plywood and provided with the indestructible special coating."

"The impressive handling characteristics of DKW FRONT make it possible to use this car for overland transport, its excellent road-holding and the exceptionally high travel speeds will be an asset to your business, allowing fast and safe transport of particularly high value goods."

"Facilities of the car are plentiful and the interior dignified and tailored to the specific needs of its intended use. The driver's seats are covered with hard wearing leatherette. The spare wheel is located well protected behind the driver's seat and can be accessed by simply folding the seat back."

"The cargo space has interior lighting. The instrument panel is as carefully and lavishly equipped as a passenger car. The dashboard holds a large illuminated speedometer with odometer and all necessary switches to actuate blinkers, lighting, headlight and reserve fuel tap. Within the dashboard there is a spacious storage bay. An electrical windshield wiper is naturally present and operable from the driving seat. The floor of the drivers compartment is protected by a strong rubber mat. The compartment door has a sturdy lock and the driver's compartment doors are of course lockable."

The car is delivered in gray, blue and maroon colors.

DKW introduced the lieferwagen in the mid-1930s. They sold relatively well but as working vehicles very few have survived. Below are a couple of photos of a lieferwagen in Australia.

This car was used as a meat delivery truck.

The owner's son remembers the car being used to carry kangaroos that had been shot by hunters, the floor of the van soaked and stained in blood.

The car was eventually replaced by a Holden FJ van and later scrapped. A few items, such as the steering wheel and radiator were saved.