Old Audis Redux

[Pete Kraus <Pete_Kraus@EMORY.ORG>]

>It is most likely a DKW.  I didn't think there were any Audi's in the       
>50's.  The Audi name was revived in the early 60's (or maybe late 50's)
>for the Audi 90.  This was a more refined variant of a DKW with a
>normal 4 stroke engine.

>Of course my mind is as fuzzy as my face, so may be wrong...

>- -steve

Steve's basically right.  When Auto Union (the '30s conglomerate of
DKW, Wanderer, Audi and Horch) resumed post WWII production in
1949, they chose to concentrate on the DKW line of three cylinder, two
stroke, front wheel drive cars and light trucks.  (Incidentally, I seem to
recall a technological link to Saab's post-war two-stroke 92 series but
don't remember any details.)  The final DKW model F102 sedan was
introduced in 1964.  VW took over Auto Union in 1965 and used the
F102 as a basis for a new line powered by a 1700cc four cylinder four
stroke engine developed by Mercedes-Benz.  It is said that VW decided
to revive the Audi name for this product because pre-war Audis were
front drive four strokes.  In any case, the Audi 60 was introduced in
1966 and spawned an entire range of models marketed through the
early '70s. 

Merlin may have seen one of those rare T-bird lookalike DKWs
(1000SP?), or perhaps one of the more mundane models imported in
the U.S. during the '50s/early '60s.  DKW did a hardtop coupe that was
pretty in a slightly old-fashioned way.  Worth restoring?  How big a fan
are you?

Someone brought the Ro80 into this thread.  NSU, who went broke
making them, is a different company from Auto Union.  I think NSU was
bought by VW, too, hence a link.  The Ro80 was quite advanced for its
time.  I remember how impressive they seemed in the early '70s while I
was stationed in Germany.  I saw one just a couple of weeks ago here
in Atlanta.  Still impressive for its time.  Too bad the rotary engine was
woefully under-developed, causing no end of premature failures.  The
warranty claims killed NSU.  Many cars were repowered with piston
engines (the 1.7 liter Ford V-4 being a common and, in my opinion,
terrible choice), which partially spoiled the concept.  Too bad Mazda
rotaries, which eventually became nearly bullet-proof, weren't available
in time.  Today, the Mazda would make an excellent conversion in the
spirit of the original.  But give me a Mazda 5-speed to go with it.  The
standard NSU semi-automatic (no clutch pedal) was (is) to me the
answer to a question no one has asked.

While we're still on old cars, sorry I missed the ESPN collector car
piece featuring a slick silver Auto Union race car.  Most likely it was
one of several mid-engined V-16 and V-12 models developed by none
other than Ferdinand Porsche Sr. during the '30s to ensure German
supremacy in a racing series that might be regarded as the forerunner
to Formula 1.  The Germans succeeded.  With a few notable and heroic
exceptions, Auto Union's main competitor during the period was
Mercedes-Benz whose cars were even more formidable.  There are
several wonderful (but expensive) books on the subject for those who
are interested.  Contact me privately.

Sorry if I've carry on too long.  Get me started on automotive history and
it's hard to stop me.

Pete
Pete_Kraus@emory.org
Stone Mountain, GA
'85 4KSQ
'89 F250 4x4 diesel
'95 Z28