1958 Auto Union 1000 SP - Sold at $6,766

Offered here is the Auto Union 1000 SP sports car from 1958. With it’s delicate lines influenced by both Detroit and Italian Design, this is undeniably a very handsome car, packaging such a lovely looking car, with it’s German built quality makes it in my opinion one of the nicest little sports cars ever built! So what is an Auto Union? Well, the Auto Union name has significant pre war racing heritage, and became part of the DKW family after the war. Up until the 1950’s DKW had produced quality, yet economical family cars, but in 1957 seeking to capitalize on the strong post war market, DKW executives chose to produce a sports car under their elite brand of “Auto Union” that would compete with the Karmann Ghia and Mercedes 190SL. Influenced by The ford T-bird hard top concept car, the 1000 SP was introduced in late 1957 to great public fanfare and admiration. DKW was owned by Daimler benz up until 1965 when in was sold to Volkswagen as a higher end line renamed then as “AUDI”. Through it’s run from late 1957 to 1962 approximately 5000 1000sp’s were made, early examples like his one had the pointed tip fins at the rear, a desired styling feature only available on these first few models. The Auto Union Drive train is a unique 3 cylinder, front wheel drive 2 stroke engine, with separate ignition for each cylinder. Don’t be fooled by the small engine size, it will keep up with the best of them, making it an amazing hill climb racer and rally car. Speed tops out around 85 MPH< but can cruise comfortably at 80 MPH according to road tests from the time. Handling is tight and closely resembles the feel of an MGA, interior is surprisingly very roomy, with room for even the tallest driver and the optional rear jump seat that could seat two adults if need be. Trunk space is more than adequate with spare tire and jack stored under the rug panel. Now to the specifics of this car, this is number 202 off the assembly line, with the early one piece grill and pointed fins true to the designers original plans. I am technically the first owner of this car, although I bought it this year it had only been previously registered to the BA Super Service Station / Europa Motors dealership in town that sold these new. The previous owner drove this car up until 1984 as a promotional vehicle for his business long after DKW ceased to exist. The original “it pays t drive a DKW” window decal is still in place on the rear window from its prior life as a dealer demo. I purchased it from his son after being in storage. So the history is very easy to trace. As for condition, there are signs of bodywork and filler, primarily lower front fenders and rear wheel arches, there was a business card form a body shop from the 1980’s so I assume most of the bodywork was done around that time. I cleaned it up a little since I got it, the body and paint are useable and presentable but I would recommend this car be restored body off to make it perfect. The interior is all original and in very decent shape, the headliner has a small seam split, and seats should be redone, otherwise it’s pretty nice. All lights signals, horn, wipers and even the radio works (when it wants to) I haven’t checked wiring but sometimes the radio works, sometimes it doesn’t, but it is the original deluxe Blaupunkt similar to early porches and benz’s. The engine runs great! Generator has been working well, as does starter. I replaced the head gasket, plugs, fan belt and fan blade when I got it, and have had no troubles. The brakes need to be done, but the emergency brake does work well. I have driven the car in all 4 gears, and shifts well, clutch works well… but I haven’t been able to get underneath to adjust the linkage to get the reverse to work. All 5 rims were professionally sand blasted and painted base clear with new coker Radial wide white walls. The chrome is all very nice except the bumpers which I removed to have done (but never did) the fronts are solid as is the back centre, but the two end corners need to be purchased new (I will provide names of suppliers who have these) and surprisingly as rare as this car is there are lot’s of parts to be had relatively inexpensively. Options on this car include rear jump seat, heater, rear window defog, upgraded radio and locking gas cap. Consider this car either a restoration project, or a neat driver with not much work. I am not wishing to portray this car as a restored car or anything like that, so please don’t expect it. If I were to keep it, I would do brakes next (master cylinder has new parts in it already) re-chrome the bumpers and check the exhaust. Otherwise I think it’s close to being an insured car again. Included are 4 spare hubcaps, various engine gaskets that came with my head gasket, a complete service manual and spare keys. This is a stunning car, and has lot’s going in its favour. You may not see another one for sale so don’t pass up this opportunity to own this stunning piece of Automotive history!

Specs & Details:

Auction Date: 19 Aug 2007
Sold For: $6,766
# Bids: 33
Miles: 2051
Engine: 3
Transmission: manual
Exterior Color: red
Interior Color: tan