Lido’s Inspiration: ’58 DKW Schnellaster

Could it be that Lee Iacocca spotted one of these DKW Schnellaster with its front wheels set forward in the passenger cabin, a short sloping aerodynamic hood, and front wheel drive? Flat load floor throughout with flexible seating and cargo accommodations found their way to the Chrysler Minivan. The modern layout featured the DKW’s 3-cylinder engine with 900 cc, producing 32 hp. The van’s layout enabled a flat loading floor only 16” off the ground. Today’s wacky looking but incredibly cute van is very original in appearance. It has only 50,000 original miles and is perfect for restoration. How neat would this be as is with period graphics applied to the side panels- sort of a German Mini Rat Rod look.  It is the price that has us bewildered. The seller states one sold at the Monterey Auctions for over $100,000. It must have belonged to Helmut Kohl or maybe the Beatles toured in it when they played the café houses in Berlin. We can’t find any reference to that sale but consider it an anomaly if it is true. Therefore the price of $23,500 seems sort of ridiculous. But how cool would it be to get your hands on it at a decent price! Click here for the Craigslist ad.