Rare Van! 1957 DKW Schnellaster
A long time ago, but not very far away, I helped a friend of mine haul home a 1972 Volkswagen Bus that was actually given to him– we just had to get it off the property. This might be one reason that, while I can definitely appreciate enthusiasts’ passion for them, I find it hard to fathom the prices that the Kombis now command. In my mind, they’re just not that rare. But this absolutely is rare: a 1957 DKW Schnellaster. Located in Lake Isabella, California, about an hour northeast of Bakersfield on 178, it’s advertised here on craigslist— the seller is currently taking offers. Many thanks to Roger for bringing this unusual ride to our attention!
DKW was (along with Audi, Horch, and Wanderer) a founding member of Auto Union, the predecessor of today’s Audi. The Schnellaster, or Rapid Transport, was actually the very first Auto Union vehicle to be manufactured after the war: with production stretching from 1949 to 1962, it both anticipated and outlasted its companion saloon, the DKW F89, or Meisterklasse. Like the F89, with which it shared a chassis, the first Schnellasters were front-wheel drive, with a 20 hp two-cylinder engine and a three-speed manual transmission. This latter example, however, would have received DKWs new 900cc three-cylinder two-stroke engine– producing a whopping 32 horses– along with the F89’s four-speed gearbox.
Looking at the pictures we find a vehicle that appears to be in pretty nice condition for not having been on the road in over fifty years. The rust that is present seems to be of the surface variety, and the glass looks to be flat (which is good) and undamaged (which is better). The interior shows its age but isn’t springs-and-straw; while the engine is out, it looks to be (mostly) all there. Finding parts for this one might be tough in the States, but look on the bright side: we live in the Internet Age and that whole engine can’t weigh more than 60 pounds, so shipping from Europe or South America won’t be as painful as it could be.
We recently covered another 1957 Schnellaster (see Jim O’Donnell’s amazing article here). That one was located in Washington state, and it does make you wonder how many of these found their way to the West Coast over the years. Regardless of the actual number, surely it’s not even a fraction of the later flood of Volkswagens. With that in mind, if you’re looking for a cool bit of postwar German automotive history but you want something with its engine up front, this is one that’s sure to stand out in almost any setting.
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Comments
Look at that cute face! This is a first for me, never seen one. Looks like the seller is just testing the waters. I would be curious to know what they think it’s worth as it’s kind of hard to put a number on something so rare.
I can just imagine the look on my old mans face, the one who, he and his army biddies pee’d on Hitlers podium in Berlin, pulling into the drive with a “Schnellaster” van. Just that “Schnell” thing would make him see red.
It’s a cool thing, I read, this, and the Fiat Multipla set the stage for mini-vans of the future. Trouble was, at the time,, we wanted big V8’s with Niagara Falls intakes, not 3 cylinder washing machine motors. Their claim was 3=6, meaning it was a 3 cylinder with the power of a 6,,,hmm, not in my world. I’ve ridden in a Multipla, with about the same hp, with 4 adults, he never did get it into 4th gear. I doubt this is any different. I couldn’t care less what they’re asking, they’d have to pay ME to take it.
Howard, my dad had the same attitude towards the “Krautwagens” and would barely allow one in the garage. After a few years of helping me tinker with VW’s and a ’59 Mercedes, he slowly began to realize they weren’t the junk he thought they were. But he did have a lot to say about the Mercedes’ fiberboard heater box.
Hi Fred, my old man was a carpenter, and didn’t know enough about cars to know if one was junk or not, especially foreign cars. Trial and error method. It was more of a downright hatred for the country origin, they threatened his, and his countries very way of life. It was a common theme for many that slogged through the trenches of France, or the horrors of the S. Pacific. A shame really, he missed out on so many great cars from Germany, what I consider the best in the world. You can see how we didn’t see “eye to eye”.
Papa was the same way. Not that he considered them Junk, per se, not like the original rust-prone little Hondas and Subarus that came in shortly thereafter. It didn’t hurt that they were imported by the local Studebaker dealership, the brand he shopped until they died. He just had had a very vivid Backstory to live through, during his formative years in the military.
3=6 referred to the 2-stroke firing as often as a 6cyl. And it probably had twice the horsepower of a 6 of the same displacment.
With only 20 hp on tap, loaded with passengers, this van ain’t going to “machen Sie” much “schnell”
Ah, but the second half of the name is the last half of disaster.
Just sayin’.
put a BUSA motor in it.
Tired.
At least it’s water cooled. I think.
I do like these. I had a 1953 F89 sedan with the 2 cylinder. Very under powered but dressed up much nicer then the comparable VWs of the time. I have pictures of it on my site and brochures of the Van if you are interested.
I had a tough time selling the sedan even though it was running, complete and rust free. Not for the faint of heart but great styling and engineering.
https://karmannghias.org/DKW3/Bro52VanPg10.jpg
Here is a link to a picture of chassis layout
https://karmannghias.org/DKW3/Bro52VanPg2.jpg
I always thought the headlights mounted on stalks and poking though holes in the hood was sorta “special”…
I had the chance get one of these for nearly no money BUT it had a destroyed front spindle. I said “No thanks”, took the VW bus I’d purchased and went home. About a week later I mentioned it to my buddy who said “The spindle is the same as the sedan”.I said “Oh, well THAT’S helpful….” To which he responded, while reaching on to a shelf and waving a hunk of metal at me, “I have a good one right here!”
By the time we were able to back a hold of the guy, he’d scrapped it…
You need parts for a what? Posted 21 days ago.
“Currently taking offers”… Lame!
Ok I got one, I offer you the opportunity to place a value on what your selling and then accept your delusional or maybe whoever agrees to your whim is.
The van is neat though.
Yeah , the engine looks very simple, but even with YOU putting it together in a manner that will be remotely reliable will take some time and money dealing with parts made of unobtanium. I agree with a few of you that say the price should be posted, the guy is fishing for someone that either has one or has wanted one since the war. Ive seen them as cheap as $5k (need work but running) to $90k that look like they were driven there (and they sit on the market for quite a while) the exclusivity is key. Depends if you want a driver or a trailer queen. As far as the engine goes, being in the boat business I cant begin to tell you the virtues of a 2 stroke for power to weight ratios. But on the other side of the coin I am a scooter dealer too and believe all scooters should be 4 strokes and outboards should be 2 stroke. I would probably rebuild the original motor and put it aside and install something more modern without doing any damage for the reliability aspect. Either way you will be dumping a few grand into something you can use very infrequently and it still needs a paint job.
That 3 cylinder can be hotted up like you can’t imagine. I saw a F12 in 1965 on a hill climb trouncing an Alfa Junior … great respect. They could reliably extract up to 60 kWs at the crank.
And the sound, ring-a-ting-ting, awesome. Great following in South Africa.
My father converted them to 12 volts, by simple expedient of wiring two 6 volt batteries in series and of course, a new genie. Starter left standard.
http://www.dkw.co.za/home.html
That’s a very interesting website. Thank you from an old South African motor racing supporter. Ken Tilly. U.K.
DKW´s were built in a variety of South American countries and sold like hot cakes due to their inherent reliability. It is true, a skillful technician can nearly double the horse power output of a Deek 3-cylinder. Their Schnellaster was rather primitive, but the later 3-6 models, especially the Auto Union 1000 were quite luxurious, particularly the gorgeous roadster. Those who disparage those cars haven´t the slightest idea, or are fundamentally against anything German. This applies especially to the war generation who in many cases however didn´t hesitate to plunder POW´s watches and cameras. And then there were guys like General Patton—–.
Makes the perfect get a way van for the bank robbery crew
Go fast and un noticed
That comment made me laugh out loud! Thank you Claudio!
No Price Means Overpriced!
I’ve been interested in Deeks for many years after driving them in Germany in the 1970s. If you’ve been to the Lane Motor Museum and seen the factory DKW engine/gearbox cutaway on the stand, that used to be mine. The Schnellaster isn’t that rare so that parts are impossible to find, just about anything mechanical is available out of south America, mostly Uruguay.
Prices for all types of DKW Schnellaster vehicles have been steadily climbing, and the owner is not too greedy considering the overall condition of this vehicle. And YES, fully restored versions have been selling for over $90,000 if they are done right. I’ve seen examples of rough ones needing all the woodwork re-done [from the front door latch post on back, the entire steel outer body is hung on a wood frame.] have brought more than this owner is asking.
If I still had my shop and I wasn’t retired & unable to work on cars anymore, I’d be looking at this one carefully and checking on shipping costs to Maryland. I’ve had everything from the SP1000 Bauer coupe to a DKW Munga [4 wheel drive military vehicle, like a Jeep], but never had a Schnellaster.
Another way of getting rid of the engine problem would be a cpnversion to a Wartburg 3 cylinder two stroke engine. Used in GDR until 1988, there is no shortage. Differences are hardly noticeable; preferably with a BVF 40 F 2 carburettor – and you gain 18 h.p.
People, who pay 90.000 dollars for a DKW should be put in a straight – jacket in my eyes…they got more money than brains.
The son of my neighbour had one when I was a young lad – unfortuately disappeared before I could get into action. It was a blue 8 seater; I shall never forget…
It’s like one of those portraits hanging on the wall with eyes that follow you around the room.
I think it winked at me.
No doubt from the wrong side of Herbie’s family.
early F7 & later roadster (esp hrd top) catch my eye. They ‘help’ w/the wankel B4 it became the rotary?
Here, love the back door but wanna 5, not 4 door. It could even supply more strength to that pass’s side…
My grandfather had one of these in addition to several VW transporters as a delivery vehicle for his record store in Seattle in the 1950’s. One of his employees, after filling up and not remembering that the DKW was 2 stroke, cooked the motor. My grandfather ditch the DKW and added another VW to his existing fleet.