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Motor Cars
Germany
1950s 1960s

Auto Union 1000 car range and history 

Auto Union 1000 car range and history

Manufacturer:

 Auto Union

Production years:

 1958 to 1963

Class:

 Motor car

Total production:

 18,085 (Germany)

Assembly plants:

 Düsseldorf, West Germany

Top speed:

 83.9 mph, 135 kmh 

Body styles:

 Sedan, station wagon, coupe, cabriolet

Doors:

 2,3 and 4

Chassis/body:

 box-type ladder frame

Suspension front:

 independent

Suspension rear:

 rigid axle

Drive:

 front

Engine Type:

 Petrol engine :981 cc two-stroke straight-3

Engine Displacement:

 1.0 litre

Engine location:

 front

Engine power:

 32–40 kW

Transmission:

 mechanical; gears: 4

Steering:

 rack-and-pinion

Cooling:

 water

Brakes:

 drum

Fuel:

 mixture, 80 oct petrol, 20 SAE oil

Tyres:

 5.60 x 15

Wheelbase:

 2350-2450 mm

Length:

 4170-4325 mm

Width:

 1640-1695 mm

Height:

 1325-1565 mm

Track front:

 50.79 in, 1,290 mm

Track rear:

 53.15 in, 1,350 mm

Weight:

 2,315 1b, 1,050 kg

 

The Auto Union 1000 is a German car with a three-cylinder, two-stroke engine and front-wheel drive built from the late 1950s to the early 1960s. 

History

It is the successor of the "Big DKW 3 = 6" (F93 / 94) and the only Auto Union passenger car with the manufacturer's name as a brand instead of DKW. In August 1963, the DKW F 102 followed as the last West German production car with a two-stroke engine. The Auto Union 1000 largely corresponded to the DKW 3 = 6 (F93 / F94). The main differences were the more powerful engine with more cubic capacity (981 cm³) and on the outside the four rings in the radiator grille and the words "Auto Union" instead of the DKW trademark on the bonnet. Later Apart from the enlarged engine, which now provided in the base model 44 bhp (33 kW), the 1000 featured the old four-ring Auto Union badge across the air grill along with the Auto Union name above it, in place of the DKW badge that had adorned the nose of the earlier model. 

Auto Union 1000 Technical details (1958-1963)

It was available as a four and two-door sedan with doors hinged at the front and as a four-seater coupe without a B-pillar. For the model year 1960 (from August 1959), the two-door sedan and the four-seater Coupé Auto Union 1000 S were given a panoramic windscreen. In 1961 the radiator grille was redesigned with vertical trim. The station wagon, known as the Universal, was produced from 1959 to 1963. 

 A three-door estate version was also offered, branded as the Universal, between 1959 and 1962. For the 1960s, the saloon was renamed Auto Union 1000S and received, a wrap-around windscreen. 

The vehicles had a box profile frame and an all-steel body. At the front, the wheels were individually suspended from lower wishbones and an overhead leaf spring. The levitation axis known from the predecessors was installed at the rear. On request, the vehicles were also available with the " Saxomat " fully automatic centrifugal clutch.

Auto Union 1000 specifications (1958-1963)

Between January 1958 and July 1963, Auto Union produced 171,008 sedans and coupés of the Auto Union 1000 and 1000 S types at the Düsseldorf-Derendorf plant. From August 1959, a station wagon version called "Universal" was added. times was sold. The highlight of the series was the Auto Union 1000 S Coupé de Luxe with disc brakes. In 1962, however, only 18,085 Auto Union 1000 were still manufactured. 

The Auto Union's 981-cc two-stroke three-cylinder engine was available in various states of tune. In the model year 1961/62, Auto Union introduced two-stroke separate lubrication using the "fresh oil automatic" developed in cooperation with Bosch. The system with a separate oil tank and oil pump should make it possible to fill up with petrol without the addition of oil, because petrol stations with a two-stroke mixture became less common. If the mixing ratio had already been reduced from 1:25 to 1:40 in 1956, the engine could now be operated at full load at 1:60 and at idle speed at 1: 400. According to advertising the new system should ensure especially the engine a longer service life, which was not achieved in practice. In the extremely cold winter of 1962/63 in Europe an unusually large number of crankshaft damage occurred because the oil, which was viscous at low temperatures, was not adequately transported through the thin line into the carburettor Power was delivered via a four-speed manual gearbox, controlled using a column-mounted lever.

PERFORMANCE

  • Fuel Consumption 31.7 ml imp gal, 26.4 ml US gal, 8.9 1 x 100 km
  • Max Speed 83.9 mph, 135 kmh
  • max engine rpm: 5,200 rpm
  • specific power: 51 hp/l
  • power- weight ratio: 46.3 lb/hp, 21 kg/hp

Auto Union 1000  station-wagon (1958-1963)

After production in Germany ceased in mid-1963, the Auto Union 1000 S was manufactured by Veículos e Máquinas Agrícolas in São Paulo (Brazil) with minor retouching and in Argentina under license by Industrias Automotriz de Santa Fe (IASF) The line-up consisted of the two- and four-door sedans, the three-door Universal estate wagon, and built without changes until 1970 with about 30,000 copies manufactured. Only limited numbers of the coupé were built and licensed productions of the coupés and Spyder were also built in Spain.

The Auto Union 1000 Sp (Sp for special and not, as is often assumed, for the word "sport”) was a two-seater sports coupe or a two-seater roadster.

The 1000 SP was presented at the IAA in 1957 and manufactured at Baur in Stuttgart from 1958 to 1965. This reached a number of 5004 coupes. From September 1961 to April 1965, 1640 open roadsters were also manufactured.

Compared to the Auto Union 1000 S, the engine output was increased mainly to 41 kW (55 hp) by higher compression (8: 1), but also by slight differences in the engine block and different carburettor system. This 1000 Sp was lower and brought about the name "narrow-gauge Thunderbird ", as the 1000 Sp was sometimes called in the press, to a top speed that at 140 km / h slightly exceeded the weaker motorized 1000 S coupe.

From the 62 models, both the Coupe and the Roadster a two-seater sports car were given rounded side fins at the rear. Subsequently (from chassis number 4,360 / March 1962) there were also disc brakes on the front axle and the fresh oil automatic. Like the other models, the AU 1000 Sp also has sheet metal reinforcements for attaching seat belts. With the use of the automatic fresh oil system, the 32/36 NDIX dual carburettor was replaced by the Solex 40 CIB falling gas carburettor. 

Coupé and Roadster cost DM 11,950 at market launch, later the price was reduced to DM 10,950 and most recently, in early 1965, to DM 9,400. In 1963, the Auto Union 1000 was replaced in Europe by its successor, the DKW F102 the company was then acquired by Volkswagen and the dormant at the time Audi brand was now resurrected.

Auto Union 1000 (1958-1963)

Related items
Auto Union 1000 | Vehicles launched in 1958 | Spanish Automotive 1960s | Germany 1960s | Germany 1950s | Two-stroke Engine | Straight 3 Engines

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Technical

Service
  • Auto Union 1000 maintenance and Service Guide (1958-1963)

    Fuel: mixture, 80 oct petrol, 20 SAE oil
    Gearbox and final drive oil: 4.40 imp pt. 5.28 US pt. 2.5 1, SAE 90, change every 18,600 miles, 30,000 km
    Greasing: every 4,700 miles, 7,500 km, 20 points
    Cooling system capacity: 14.08 imp pt, 16.91 US 81.
    Spark plug type: 1750
    Normal tyre pressure: front 24 psi, 1.7 atm, rear 21 psi, 1.5 atm.
    Width of rims: 4.5"
    tyres: 5.60 x 15
    Fuel tank capacity: 9.9 imp gal, 11.9 US gal
    Carrying capacity: 882 1b, 400 kg (4-door Berlina)

    © Motor car History

Technical
  • Auto Union 1000 Technical details and specifications (1958-1963)


    ENGINE
    front, 2 stroke
    cylinders: 3, vertical, in line
    bore and stroke: 2.91 x 2.99 in, 74 x 76 mm
    engine capacity: 59.86 cu in, 981 cu cm
    compression ratio: 7.2
    cylinder block: cast iron;
    cylinder head: light alloy
    crankshaft bearings: 4
    lubrication: mixture 1:40
    carburation: 1 Solex ICB 40 downdraught single barrel carburettor
    fuel feed: mechanical pump
    cooling system: water

    TRANSMISSION
    driving wheels: front
    clutch: single dry plate
    gearbox: mechanical; gears: 4+ reverse
    synchromesh gears: I, II, III, IV
    gearbox ratios: I 3.820, II 2.220, III 1.390, IV 0.910, rev 3.450
    gear lever location: steering column
    final drive: spiral bevel; axle ratio: 4.710.

    CHASSIS
    type box-type ladder frame
    front suspension: independent, wishbones, transverse leafspring upper arms, telescopic dampers
    rear suspension: rigid axle, transverse upper leafsprings, leading and torque arms, telescopic dampers.

    STEERING
    rack-and-pinion
    turns of steering wheel lock to lock: 2.70.
    turning circle (between walls): 38 ft, 11.6 m

    BRAKES
    drum; lining area: front 58.29 sq in, 376 sq cm, rear 52.56 sq in, 339 sq

    ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
    voltage: 6 V
    battery: 66 Ah
    generatortype: dynamo, 160 W
    ignition distributor: Auto Union

    DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT
    wheel base: 96.46 in, 2,450 mm
    front track: 50.79 in, 1,290 mm
    rear track: 53.15 in, 1,350 mm
    overall length: 164.17 in, 4,170 mm
    overall width : 64.76 in, 1 ,645 mm
    overall height: 58.86 in, 1 ,495 mm
    ground clearance: 6.69 in, 170 mm
    dry weight: 2,315 1b, 1,050 kg
    distribution of weight: 47% front axle, 53% rear axle

    © Motor car History

    Specifications  Auto Union 1000 

    Auto Union 1000

    2-door saloon,
    2-door pillarless coupé

    4-door saloon

    'Sp' Spezial hardtop,
    'Sp' Spezial cabriolet

    ‘Universal’ 3-door estate

    'S' 2-door saloon,
    'S' 2-door pillarless coupé

    'S' 4-door saloon

    Produced: 

    1957–1960

    1957–1960

    1958–1965

    1959–1962

    1960–1963

    1959–1963

    Engine: 

    3-cylinder-inline engine (two-stroke), longitudinally front-mounted

    Bore x Stroke: 

    74 mm x 76 mm

    Displacement: 

    981 cc

    Max. Power @ rpm: 

    44 hp (33 kW) @ 4500

    44 hp (33 kW) @ 4500

    55 hp (41 kW) @ 4500

    44 hp (33 kW) @ 4500

    50 hp (37 kW) @ 4500

    50 hp (37 kW) @ 4500

    Max. Torque @ rpm: 

    78.5 N⋅m (57.9 lb⋅ft) @ 3000

    78.5 N⋅m (57.9 lb⋅ft) @ 3000

    88.3 N⋅m (65.1 lb⋅ft) @ 3500

    78.5 N⋅m (57.9 lb⋅ft) @ 3000

    78.5 N⋅m (57.9 lb⋅ft) @ 3000

    78.5 N⋅m (57.9 lb⋅ft) @ 3000

    Compression Ratio: 

    7.25 : 1

    7.25 : 1

    8.2 : 1

    7.25 : 1

    7.25 : 1

    7.25 : 1

    Fuel feed: 

    single Solex carburetor

    Fuel tank capacity: 

    45 L (11.9 US gal; 9.9 imp gal)

    Valvetrain: 

    None (two-stroke)

    Cooling: 

    Water

    Gearbox: 

    4-speed-manual with column-mounted lever control & front-wheel drive

    Electrical system: 

    6-volt

    Front suspension: 

    Lower wishbones beneath a transverse leaf spring

    Rear suspension:: 

    Dead axle with trailing arms beneath a transverse leaf spring

    Brakes: 

    drum

    drum

    drum

    drum

    drum (saloon)
    Front discs (coupé)

    drum

    Steering: 

    Rack & pinion

    Body structure: 

    Box-frame chassis. Body secured at eight fixing points

     

     

     

     

    Dry weight: 

    930 kg (2,050 lb)

    970 kg (2,140 lb)

    960 kg (2,120 lb)

    950 kg (2,090 lb)

    930 kg (2,050 lb)

    970 kg (2,140 lb)

    Loaded weight: 

    1,305 kg (2,877 lb)

    1,350 kg (2,980 lb)

    1,200 kg (2,600 lb)

    1,455 kg (3,208 lb)

    1,305 kg (2,877 lb)

    1,350 kg (2,980 lb)

    Track front/
    rear: 

    1,290 mm (51 in) 1,350 mm (53 in)

    1,290 mm (51 in) 1,350 mm (53 in)

    1,290 mm (51 in) 1,350 mm (53 in)

    1,290 mm (51 in) 1,350 mm (53 in)

    1,290 mm (51 in) 1,350 mm (53 in)

    1,290 mm (51 in) 1,350 mm (53 in)

    Wheelbase: 

    2,350 mm (93 in)

    2,450 mm (96 in)

    2,350 mm (93 in)

    2,450 mm (96 in)

    2,350 mm (93 in)

    2,450 mm (96 in)

    Length: 

    4,225 mm (166.3 in)

    4,325 mm (170.3 in)

    4,170 mm (164 in)

    4,210 mm (166 in)

    4,225 mm (166.3 in)

    4,325 mm (170.3 in)

    Width: 

    1,695 mm (66.7 in)

    1,695 mm (66.7 in)

    1,680 mm (66 in)

    1,640 mm (65 in)

    1,695 mm (66.7 in)

    1,695 mm (66.7 in)

    Height: 

    1,465 mm (57.7 in)

    1,490 mm (59 in)

    1,325 mm (52.2 in)

    1,565 mm (61.6 in)

    1,465 mm (57.7 in)

    1,490 mm (59 in)

    Turning circle: 

    11.7 m /
    38' ​4 2⁄3"

    12.0 m /
    39' ​4 1⁄3"

    11.5 m /
    37' ​8 3⁄4 "

    12.0 m /
    39' ​4 1⁄3"

    11.7 m /
    38' ​4 2⁄3"

    12.0 m /
    39' ​4 1⁄3"

    Tyre/Tire sizes: 

    5.60–15“

    5.60–15“

    155SR–15“

    6.00–15“

    5.60–15“

    5.60–15“

    Top speed: 

    130 km/h (81 mph)

    120 km/h (75 mph)

    140 km/h (87 mph)

    120 km/h (75 mph)

    135 km/h (84 mph)

    125 km/h (78 mph)

    Fuel Consumption: 

    10.0 litres per 100 kilometres (28 mpg‑imp; 24 mpg‑US)

    10.5 litres per 100 kilometres (27 mpg‑imp; 22 mpg‑US)

    10.5 litres per 100 kilometres (27 mpg‑imp; 22 mpg‑US)

    10.5 litres per 100 kilometres (27 mpg‑imp; 22 mpg‑US)

    10.0 litres per 100 kilometres (28 mpg‑imp; 24 mpg‑US)

    10.5 litres per 100 kilometres (27 mpg‑imp; 22 mpg‑US)

     

     

    Specifications 

    Type

    AU 1000 Coupé

    AU 1000 four-door

    AU 1000 Sp

    AU 1000 Universal

    AU 1000 S Coupé

    AU 1000 S four-door

    Construction period

    1957-1960

    1957-1960

    1958-1965

    1959-1963

    1959-1963

    1961-1963

    Superstructures

    L2, Cp2

    L4

    Cp2, Cb2

    K3

    L2, Cp2

    L4

    engine

    3 cyl. Row, 2-stroke

    3 cyl. Row, 2-stroke

    3 cyl. Row, 2-stroke

    3 cyl. Row, 2-stroke

    3 cyl. Row, 2-stroke

    3 cyl. Row, 2-stroke

    Bore × stroke

    74 mm × 76 mm

    74 mm × 76 mm

    74 mm × 76 mm

    74 mm × 76 mm

    74 mm × 76 mm

    74 mm × 76 mm

    Displacement

    981 cm³

    981 cm³

    981 cm³

    981 cm³

    981 cm³

    981 cm³

    Power kW (PS)

    32.3 (44)

    32.3 (44)

    40 (55)

    32.3 (44)

    37 (50)

    37 (50)

    at speed (1 / min)

    4500

    4500

    4500

    4500

    4500

    4500

    Torque (Nm)

    78.5

    78.5

    88.3

    78.5

    78.5

    78.5

    at speed (1 / min)

    3000

    3000

    3500

    3000

    3000

    3000

    compression

    7.25: 1

    7.25: 1

    8.2: 1

    7.25: 1

    7.25: 1

    7.25: 1

    consumption

    10 l / 100 km

    10.5 l / 100 km

    10.5 l / 100 km

    10.5 l / 100 km

    10 l / 100 km

    10.5 l / 100 km

    transmission

    4-speed with freewheel and steering wheel gear / up to models 1960 1st gear not synchronized

    Top speed

    130 km / h

    120 km / h

    140 km / h

    120 km / h

    135 km / h

    125 km / h

    Curb weight

    930 kg

    970 kg

    960 kg

    950 kg

    930 kg

    970 kg

    Perm. total weight

    1305 kg

    1350 kg

    1200 kg

    1455 kg

    1305 kg

    1350 kg

    Electrics

    6 volts

    6 volts

    6 volts

    6 volts

    6 volts

    6 volts

    length

    4225 mm

    4325 mm

    4170 mm

    4210 mm

    4225 mm

    4325 mm

    width

    1695 mm

    1695 mm

    1680 mm

    1640 mm

    1695 mm

    1695 mm

    height

    1465 mm

    1490 mm

    1325 mm

    1565 mm

    1465 mm

    1490 mm

    wheelbase

    2350 mm

    2450 mm

    2350 mm

    2450 mm

    2350 mm

    2450 mm

    Front / rear track

    1290 mm / 1350 mm

    1290 mm / 1350 mm

    1290 mm / 1350 mm

    1290 mm / 1350 mm

    1290 mm / 1350 mm

    1290 mm / 1350 mm

    Tropic

    11.7 m

    12 m

    11.5 m

    12 m

    11.7 m

    12 m

    wheel size

    5.60-15 ″

    5.60-15 ″

    155 SR 15

    6.00-15 ″

    5.60-15 ″

    5.60-15 ″

    An electro-pneumatic clutch ( Saxomat ) was available on request .

    • L2 = 2-door sedan
    • L4 = 4-door sedan
    • Cp2 = 2-door coupe
    • Cb2 = 2-door convertible
    • K3 = 3-door station wagon

Manuals

Download: Workshop manuals Tech Guides exclusive to registered users.

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