Two Strokes: ’61 DKW 1000 Universal
The seller states and we agree, this is one rare bird in these parts – and it is so darn cute! In its time, the DKW 1000 had some sweeping innovations like a wrap-around windshield and a unique self oil mixing system. You need an oil mixing system (AKA clean oil regulator) because this is a 2-stroke engine that requires a mixture of 40:1 gas/oil. Too bad they didn’t plan on really cold winters when they developed the regulator. It had such a narrow feed tube that, in cold weather, the oil didn’t flow through very well. Cost them quite a few crankshafts. Now what we have here is the DKW 1000 hot rod with the big motor. Yes, in 1960, horsepower power was bumped to 50 from 44! Hold on to your driver’s license! Those 50 horses plus a 4-speed column mounted gearshift is the stuff dreams are made of. Handling is enhanced by the sure-footed front wheel drive system – the precursor to the Audi Quattro. DKW was one of the Audi rings in case you didn’t know. So we have a relatively solid car in very useable condition that somehow wound up in an estate sale in South Dakota. You can write your own version of the tale. It is believed to have had 1, long-term owner and 2, short term stewards. We like it because it is cute and would make a neat rally support vehicle. They rallied DKWs we think. See more here on eBay.