When I was a teenager, my dad owned a Wartburg (we called it a warthog) saloon that used the same power-plant. One of it's many foibles was a freewheel by default so there was no engine braking, a little disconcerting for this learner-driver at the time, but I soon got used to it. I don't recall the Warthog ever running out of steam in fourth gear, but I do remember it being able to ford deeper than any of the popular Brit motors of the day because the fan was at the back of the engine and didn't throw water all over the electrics. Servicing was easy, you just sat on the inner wing beside the engine, undid the bolts, and lifted it out onto the opposite inner wing with your bare hands 🙂
The Auto Union has a lever to engage or disengage the engine braking. So around town you get a bit of engine braking - (not much as it is a 2 stroke) when on a dual carriageway etc you can “freewheel” and just tap the accelerator occasionally to keep you cruising at speed of the traffic. It is a very simple engine. Having very few moving parts making it very easy to work on.
The Auto Union does not “Run out of steam in 4th” either. Will struggled with the gearbox and changed up too early so the engine bogged down as it dropped out of the powerband. Credit where it is due though, he only drove it for a few minutes and he was on a very narrow country lane and had lots to think about without narrating the video! 😂
I had one years ago in Cape Town , South Africa. It was not a noisy car inside and would cruise in comfort at 70 mph on the open road when other small cars battled just to get to 70.
I was surprised PPC used the title “Low and Slow” to be honest, but they did only drive it down a short country lane. It will easily keep up with traffic and as you say, it will cruise comfortably at 65-70MPH on a dual carriageway or motorway.
I drove both the 1000s coup 1960 and a 58 universal for many, many years in the UK the universal was often the only one on the road in the UK. Both were daily drivers Taunton to Exeter up and down the motorway and Exeter to Chudleigh as a work horse while doing a self build.
I was surprised PPC used the title “Low and Slow” to be honest, but they did only drive it down a short country lane. It will easily keep up with traffic and as you say, it will cruise comfortably at 65-70MPH on a dual carriageway or motorway. As you say, back in the day they would be used as a “daily driver” 😂
Listening back to the video the iPhone recoding inside is car certainly picked up every single sound. It is loud and definitely has a the ring-ding-dind noise of a 2 stroke with an expansion chamber on it, but in my opinion when driving it is not quite as annoying as the video represents.
There is one for sale on Car and Classic at the moment. I noted it doesn't have distributor but a coil for each cylinder. I have been meaning to look it up.
I have one of these and it’s really fun to drive. It’s also amusing at car shows when the crowd gathers around the old two-stroke estate instead the expensive stuff. I’m a bit surprised that they weren’t sold in the UK as DKW/Auto Union had an assembly plant in Ireland building right hand drive models.
Like all two-stroke engines, the Auto Union/DKW 3-cylinder unit can have its power output improved with some very simple modifications to its intake/transfer/exhaust porting. When I was a teenager in the 1960's one of my schoolmates was brilliant at tuning 2-strokes. Whether it was a motorbike with a Villiers 2-stroke, a BSA Bantam, a Lambretta or Vespa scooter, Norman could make it quicker with his rifler files and rotary cutters.
There is a race series in Europe where they use the Auto Union / DKW 3 Cylinder 2 Stoke engine. The cars are similar to the “Cooper 500” raced in the U.K. I have seen a few at Mallory Park, they sound awesome running either 3 flat slide carburettors and 3 expansion chambers - or one large carburettor and one shared expansion chamber. They go very well in a lightweight special!
I love 3 cylinder 2 strokes. The sound is amazing. I used to run Wartburgs back in the 70s. Very similar (I think related) engine. The ones we had were floor change. But I did once drive an older Wartburg with a column change once. Worked fine. I would love another one. I allways liked the looks of the Auto Union saloons. very sleek looking car. Your Auto Union needs someone to love it!
I remember driving a Wartburg Knight (2 stroke 3 cylinder) estate in the late 70s, the enduring memory is of absolutely no engine braking. When you lifted your foot off the accelerator the car seemed to go quicker! As the brakes were truly awful it was a terrifying experience, loved the engine sound though.
@@robertdempster7408 The Auto Union has a lever to engage or disengage the engine braking. So around town you get a bit of engine braking - (not much as it is a 2 stroke) when on a dual carriageway etc you can “freewheel” and just tap the accelerator occasionally to keep you cruising at speed of the traffic. It is a very simple engine. Having very few moving parts making it very easy to work on.
Premix or oil injection? What oil to petrol ratio? Modern two-stroke oils can be used at a ratio of as little as 50:1 which will almost eliminate the smoky exhaust.
Pre-mix 40:1. Castrol A747. It only smokes when first started up. It was rolled out the garage and run down the road to do video. Once warm it doesn’t smoke.
Listening back to the video the iPhone recoding inside is car certainly picked up every single sound. It is loud and definitely has a the ring-ding-dind noise of a 2 stroke with an expansion chamber on it, but when driving it is not quite as annoying as the video represents
The exhaust has had the large stock silencer back box removed and a “cherry bomb” fitted by Custom Chrome in Nuneaton. It has an expansion chamber as standard that has not been modified in any way
Very, VERY cool LOOKING car, but by the looks of your many struggles thats about it haha! I've never seen a bizarre manual gearbox that you change on the steering column? Looks very Old School VW?
Jim Clark's first race was in a two stroke DKW., part of the Auto Union group.
As a boy in Cape Town one of our neighbours had a deek, ring ding ding ding every morning, I do love the sound of triples tho 2 and 4stroke.😊
I’d love one. Absolutely essential for attending Just Stop Oil demonstrations, not forgetting to adjust the 2 stroke mix down from 20:1 to 10:1!
This one is currently for sale on Car & Classic if you are seriously interested drop me a message - www.carandclassic.com/l/C1764608
@@geofkwilson427 Cheers, I’ll take a look. 👍🏻
When I was a teenager, my dad owned a Wartburg (we called it a warthog) saloon that used the same power-plant.
One of it's many foibles was a freewheel by default so there was no engine braking, a little disconcerting for this learner-driver at the time, but I soon got used to it.
I don't recall the Warthog ever running out of steam in fourth gear, but I do remember it being able to ford deeper than any of the popular Brit motors of the day because the fan was at the back of the engine and didn't throw water all over the electrics.
Servicing was easy, you just sat on the inner wing beside the engine, undid the bolts, and lifted it out onto the opposite inner wing with your bare hands 🙂
The Auto Union has a lever to engage or disengage the engine braking. So around town you get a bit of engine braking - (not much as it is a 2 stroke) when on a dual carriageway etc you can “freewheel” and just tap the accelerator occasionally to keep you cruising at speed of the traffic. It is a very simple engine. Having very few moving parts making it very easy to work on.
The Auto Union does not “Run out of steam in 4th” either. Will struggled with the gearbox and changed up too early so the engine bogged down as it dropped out of the powerband. Credit where it is due though, he only drove it for a few minutes and he was on a very narrow country lane and had lots to think about without narrating the video! 😂
The sound reminds me of my 1975 Kawasaki KH250 .... I probably still have the smell of 2 stroke in my leathers .....
I had one years ago in Cape Town , South Africa. It was not a noisy car inside and would cruise in comfort at 70 mph on the open road when other small cars battled just to get to 70.
I was surprised PPC used the title “Low and Slow” to be honest, but they did only drive it down a short country lane. It will easily keep up with traffic and as you say, it will cruise comfortably at 65-70MPH on a dual carriageway or motorway.
Here in Brazil we have This cars, was made in Brazil by DKW,Wemag, peoples calls then Vemaguet...
3 cilindro, Two Strokes,betwin 50's an 60's👍🏼🇧🇷😎🤣
I drove both the 1000s coup 1960 and a 58 universal for many, many years in the UK the universal was often the only one on the road in the UK.
Both were daily drivers Taunton to Exeter up and down the motorway and Exeter to Chudleigh as a work horse while doing a self build.
I was surprised PPC used the title “Low and Slow” to be honest, but they did only drive it down a short country lane. It will easily keep up with traffic and as you say, it will cruise comfortably at 65-70MPH on a dual carriageway or motorway. As you say, back in the day they would be used as a “daily driver” 😂
Absolutely love these super rare here I’ve owed a Trabant and one of these or a Wartburg are on the list the sound of the 3 cylinder is amazing
Couldn't agree more!
The noise inside is horrendous! Thanks for taking the effort to make this and give us an impression of how it drives.
Glad you enjoyed! Yeah, it's an experience most certainly. I wouldn't want one though 🤣
Listening back to the video the iPhone recoding inside is car certainly picked up every single sound. It is loud and definitely has a the ring-ding-dind noise of a 2 stroke with an expansion chamber on it, but in my opinion when driving it is not quite as annoying as the video represents.
There is one for sale on Car and Classic at the moment. I noted it doesn't have distributor but a coil for each cylinder. I have been meaning to look it up.
It's most likely the same one as the owner is selling his on C&C!
@@ppcmagazine I think it looks ace. I don't mind noise but too much for me.
I have one of these and it’s really fun to drive. It’s also amusing at car shows when the crowd gathers around the old two-stroke estate instead the expensive stuff. I’m a bit surprised that they weren’t sold in the UK as DKW/Auto Union had an assembly plant in Ireland building right hand drive models.
Like James Bond arriving, sun glasses,screaming engine and smoke screen 😂😂 brilliant keep them coming 👍
Glad you enjoyed. We can keep making these - we just need you guys to keep sharing the videos to feed the algorithm gods 🤣
Sound is amazing! 1L two stroke, and roars like real sport car))).
I love the way that the scenery speed doesn't seem to correspond with the engine speed haha.
Thanks for another great video.
Glad you enjoy it!
What a awesome sounding and looking Auto Union.
Like all two-stroke engines, the Auto Union/DKW 3-cylinder unit can have its power output improved with some very simple modifications to its intake/transfer/exhaust porting. When I was a teenager in the 1960's one of my schoolmates was brilliant at tuning 2-strokes. Whether it was a motorbike with a Villiers 2-stroke, a BSA Bantam, a Lambretta or Vespa scooter, Norman could make it quicker with his rifler files and rotary cutters.
There is a race series in Europe where they use the Auto Union / DKW 3 Cylinder 2 Stoke engine. The cars are similar to the “Cooper 500” raced in the U.K. I have seen a few at Mallory Park, they sound awesome running either 3 flat slide carburettors and 3 expansion chambers - or one large carburettor and one shared expansion chamber. They go very well in a lightweight special!
Great fun - nice gear changing Will! 😂
After a couple of minutes Will actual started to find some of them in the correct order 😂
Poor clutch as well.
I love 3 cylinder 2 strokes. The sound is amazing. I used to run Wartburgs back in the 70s. Very similar (I think related) engine. The ones we had were floor change. But I did once drive an older Wartburg with a column change once. Worked fine. I would love another one. I allways liked the looks of the Auto Union saloons. very sleek looking car. Your Auto Union needs someone to love it!
It's great isn't it! And yeah, the sound is lovely too. Glad you enjoyed
I remember driving a Wartburg Knight (2 stroke 3 cylinder) estate in the late 70s, the enduring memory is of absolutely no engine braking. When you lifted your foot off the accelerator the car seemed to go quicker! As the brakes were truly awful it was a terrifying experience, loved the engine sound though.
@@robertdempster7408 The Auto Union has a lever to engage or disengage the engine braking. So around town you get a bit of engine braking - (not much as it is a 2 stroke) when on a dual carriageway etc you can “freewheel” and just tap the accelerator occasionally to keep you cruising at speed of the traffic. It is a very simple engine. Having very few moving parts making it very easy to work on.
Must be how a coffee bean feels when it goes through a grinder
Just less aromatic!
What the actual .... Never seen, or heard anything like it !!! Two stroke ! Absolutely love it 🤤
It's pretty damn cool, eh?
It is an amazingly different car to drive. It is a bit of a “Marmite” car you either love it or hate it. The sound and smell are phenomenal!
Premix or oil injection? What oil to petrol ratio? Modern two-stroke oils can be used at a ratio of as little as 50:1 which will almost eliminate the smoky exhaust.
Pre-mix 40:1. Castrol A747. It only smokes when first started up. It was rolled out the garage and run down the road to do video. Once warm it doesn’t smoke.
@@geofkwilson427 So the "smoke-screen creating" is just hyperbole?
You were getting awfully close to those trees again Ben 😂😂😂, what an awesomely quirky car, i think it sounds awesome from the outside 👍
Close... but crucially not in them 😂
Listening back to the video the iPhone recoding inside is car certainly picked up every single sound. It is loud and definitely has a the ring-ding-dind noise of a 2 stroke with an expansion chamber on it, but when driving it is not quite as annoying as the video represents
Excellent, never heard of one before but now its on the list.
THAT is COOL!
Certainly is!
what an amazing car :) would make a mad mini camper :D
Oh yeah, so much potential!
What a quirky little car, looks fun but it might get tiring quickly.
Yup!
As before I did many thousands of miles in the coup and the Universal daily drive Taunton to Exeter or further not hard to drive and not tiring.
Sweet Audi ;)
Holy crap! What about saving the polar bears? (I'm joking, of course!)
🤣
No Polar Bears were harmed during the filming of the video. 😂
Like a dreadnought laying smoke
Exactly 🤣
I can't imagine Audi making an advert using that thing as a historical prop.
Can or can’t?
Shouldn't smoke as much. Adjust the mixture ratio and use best quality 2 stroke oil.
It was on choke - literally just started up. As soon as it is warm it doesn’t smoke.
40:1 premix using Castrol A747. Only ever use Shell optimax fuel too.
Niiice. Quirky, weird
Would probably benefit from a K20 engine..!
3 = 6
Surely that exhaust can't be standard?
It sounds like a 16 year old's first attempt at tuning their two stroke 50 with an ASBO can....
The exhaust has had the large stock silencer back box removed and a “cherry bomb” fitted by Custom Chrome in Nuneaton. It has an expansion chamber as standard that has not been modified in any way
Very, VERY cool LOOKING car, but by the looks of your many struggles thats about it haha! I've never seen a bizarre manual gearbox that you change on the steering column? Looks very Old School VW?
Yeah it's a very interesting looking thing! Part VW, part bread van, suicide doors. Nuts, basically
Column change Manual Transmission quite common on old stuff, You could buy a Mazda Pick up with this set up into the 1980's.