DKW Junior

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DKW Junior DKW F11 / DKW F12
Curb weight		700–770 kg (1,540–1,700 lb) (empty)

The DKW Junior is a

in March 1957. The ‘Junior’ name was given to the (by now) DKW 750 in 1959 when the car went into volume production, but failed to survive an upgrade in January 1963, after which the car was known as the DKW F12. In addition to the saloon, a pretty ‘F12 Roadster’ (cabriolet version) was produced in limited numbers.

The car was known for its

engine. A number of European auto-makers produced two-stroke powered cars in the 1950s, but by the time the DKW Junior came along, the market was beginning to resist two-stroke powered cars as the industry increasingly standardised on four-stroke four-cylinder units which accordingly were becoming cheaper to produce. Two-stroke-engined cars were perceived by some as rough and noisy by comparison.

In terms of its size and pricing, the DKW Junior slotted into the range just below the Auto Union 1000, which itself underwent an upgrade and a name change (from DKW to Auto Union) in 1957. The Junior was therefore from its introduction until August 1963 the only DKW branded car.

Design

The

which were just beginning to appear on one or two of Europe's more fashionable designs at this time.

Despite its modern shape, the body sat on a separate chassis.

Chronology

The DKW Junior prototype exhibited in 1957 featured a two-cylinder 660 cc two-stroke engine reminiscent of the two-stroke engine last seen in the DKW F89 Meisterklasse phased out in 1953.

A new plant was constructed at the company's

In 1961 the DKW Junior retailed for 4790 Marks in Germany

It is not clear whether the DKW Junior de Luxe, introduced in 1961, was intended to replace or to complement the original Junior which, in any case, was withdrawn in 1962. The Junior de Luxe had its cylinders bored out: total displacement was now 796 cc. Claimed power output was unchanged but the torque was marginally increased and the wheel size grew from 12 to 13 inches. Claimed maximum speed increased from 114 to 116 km/h (71 to 72 mph).

In January 1963 the Junior De Luxe was replaced by the DKW F12.[3] Outwardly there was little change, but the C pillar became more angular and the engine was enlarged to 889 cc which was reflected by a claimed increase in output to 40 bhp (30 kW).^[3] Apart from the engines, the big news from the F12 involved the brakes: the F12 was the first car in this class to be equipped with front disc brakes. Although the DKW F12 was enthusiastically received by the motoring press, it's sales were constrained in some countries by high import duties. In July 1965, the F11 and F12 retailed for £998 and £1198 respectively in New Zealand.^[4]

"MOTORMAN" magazine in New Zealand also described the car in July 1965 thus - "The DKW F12 in standard trim is a pleasant car offering quiet and comfortable motoring with excellent amenities. It is rapid for its size and has proved a very reliable conveyance over long distances."

"CAR" magazine in South Africa described the car thus in March 1964 - "By making some subtle changes to the Junior, the manufacturers have succeeded in producing a car in the F12 which is substantially different. It has many features which set it apart from the run of light cars and some ways is something of an aristocrat in its field".^[5]

In August the Junior's 796 cc engine reappeared in the DKW F11 which was in effect a reduced specification F12.

The DKW F12 roadster which appeared in 1964 extracted 45 bhp (34 kW) from its 889 cc three-cylinder engine, and this more powerful unit became available in the F12 saloon for a few months from February 1965.

End of production

Early in the summer of 1965 Volkswagen acquired the

.

Specifications

Technical data DKW Junior & DKW F11/F12 ^[6] (Manufacturer's figures except where stated)

DKW	Junior 2-door saloon	Junior de Luxe 2-door saloon	F11 2-door saloon	F12 2-door saloon	F12 Roadster 2-door cabriolet	F12 (45PS) 2-door saloon
Produced:	1959–1962	1961–1963	1963–1965	1963–1965	1964	1965
Engine:	two-stroke ), front-mounted
Valvegear:	None
Cooling:	Water
Bore x Stroke:	68 mm x 68 mm	70.5 mm x 68 mm	70.5 mm x 68 mm	74.5 mm x 68 mm	74.5 mm x 68 mm	74.5 mm x 68 mm
Displacement:	741 cc	796 cc	796 cc	889 cc	889 cc	889 cc
Max. Power bhp (DIN) / PS:	34	34	34	40	45	45
= kW:	25	25	25	29	33	33
@ rpm:	4300	4300	4300	4300	4500	4500
Max. Torque	63.8 N⋅m (47.1 lb⋅ft)	71.1 N⋅m (52.4 lb⋅ft)	71.1 N⋅m (52.4 lb⋅ft)	78.5 N⋅m (57.9 lb⋅ft)	78.5 N⋅m (57.9 lb⋅ft)	78.5 N⋅m (57.9 lb⋅ft)
@ rpm:	2500	2500	2500	2250	2500	2500
Compression Ratio:	7 : 1	8 : 1	7.25 : 1	7 : 1	7.25 : 1	7.25 : 1
Transmission:	Four speed Front wheel drive
Tyre size:	5.20 - 12"	5.50-13"	5.50-13"	5.50-13"	5.50-13"	5.50-13"
Electrical system:	6 volt
Dry weight:	700 kg (1,500 lb)	710 kg (1,570 lb)	730 kg (1,610 lb)	750 kg (1,650 lb)	940 kg (2,070 lb)	970 kg (2,140 lb)
Loaded weight:	1,080 kg (2,380 lb)	1,095 kg (2,414 lb)	1,120 kg (2,470 lb)	1,120 kg (2,470 lb)	1,020 kg (2,250 lb)	1,140 kg (2,510 lb)
Track front/ rear:	1,180 mm (46 in) / 1,210 mm (48 in)		1,200 mm (47 in) / 1,280 mm (50 in)
Wheelbase:	2,175 mm (85.6 in)		2,250 mm (89 in)
Length:	3,965 mm (156.1 in)	3,968 mm (156.2 in)
Width:	1,575 mm (62.0 in)
Height:	1,430 mm (56 in)	1,440 mm (57 in)	1,453 mm (57.2 in)		1,375 mm (54.1 in)	1,453 mm (57.2 in)

References