DKW F7
Encyclopedia
The DKW F7 is a sub compact
front wheel drive saloon launched by Auto Union’s
DKW
division in 1937 as a replacement for the DKW F5
.
In addition to the closed saloon, a two door cabriolet saloon was also available. In 1938 a two door coupe cabriolet, the Front Luxus Cabriolet, was added to the range.
Like all the small DKWs of the 1930s, the F7 featured front wheel drive, which at this stage was unusual, and which in the light of subsequent developments can be seen as prescient.
The popular F7 was replaced by the DKW F8
in 1939. By this time, approximately 80,000 F7s had been built.
Compact car
A compact car , or small family car , is a classification of cars which are larger than a supermini but smaller than or equal to a mid-size car...
front wheel drive saloon launched by Auto Union’s
Auto Union
Auto Union was an amalgamation of four German automobile manufacturers, founded in 1932 and established in 1936 in Chemnitz, Saxony, during the Great Depression. The company has evolved into present day Audi, as a subsidiary of Volkswagen Group....
DKW
DKW
DKW is a historic German car and motorcycle marque. The name derives from Dampf-Kraft-Wagen .In 1916, the Danish engineer Jørgen Skafte Rasmussen founded a factory in Zschopau, Saxony, Germany, to produce steam fittings. In the same year, he attempted to produce a steam-driven car, called the DKW...
division in 1937 as a replacement for the DKW F5
DKW F5
The DKW F5 is a sub compact front wheel drive saloon launched by Auto Union’s DKW division in 1935 as a replacement for the DKWs F4 and F2 models.-The body:...
.
The body
Changes between the F5 and the F7 were mostly at a detailed level. However, the entry level Reichsklasse saloon now shared the (hitherto slightly longer) body of the Meisterklasse saloon.In addition to the closed saloon, a two door cabriolet saloon was also available. In 1938 a two door coupe cabriolet, the Front Luxus Cabriolet, was added to the range.
Engine and running gear
The car has the two cylinder two stroke engine of its predecessor. The Reichsklasse engine was of 584 cc with an output of 18 bhp (13 kW). The Meisterklasse’s 692 cc engine had an output of 20 bhp (15 kW). Respective claimed top speeds were 80 km/h (50 mph) and 85 km/h (53 mph).Like all the small DKWs of the 1930s, the F7 featured front wheel drive, which at this stage was unusual, and which in the light of subsequent developments can be seen as prescient.
Commercial
DKW F8
The DKW F8 compact front-wheel drive two-stroke engined saloon was introduced by in 1939. The F8 was slightly shorter than its predecessor despite having a marginally increased wheelbase. The base model, known as the Reichsklasse, was manufactured only till 1940 but the Meisterklasse sedan...
in 1939. By this time, approximately 80,000 F7s had been built.