Istorie
This DKW F8 Meisterklasse Cabriolet has spent its entire life in Germany until being brought into a collection in Italy. It is extremely true to its original spirit, retaining all of its original components.
Full description
Auto Union was an amalgamation of German automobile manufacturers that was founded in 1932. The four individual companies that formed this association were foundering due to the effects of the Great Depression. Horch, Wander, Audi and DKW were the four firms that merged, and their new logo was a series of four interlocking rings which was worn on the grille of each vehicle.
DKW was founded in 1916 to produce steam fittings and set out to produce a steam-driven car.
The F-Series cars were produced by DKW between 1931 and 1942. The first one was the F1, launched in 1931, followed consecutively until 1942 by F2-F8 (plus the F9, presented as a prototype). The DKWs were innovative cars with features like front-wheel drive, a self-start/generator called the Dynastart and a three-speed transmission.
The predecessor models to the F8 were relatively similar, with most changes relating to the chassis construction, body length and minor styling details. When the F8 was introduced in 1939, it was offered with two different engines and two body styles. The Reichsklasse was the base model and had a 589cc, 18 horsepower engine. The Meisterklasse, of which this is an example, had the more powerful 692cc, 20 horsepower engine, which claimed a top speed of 85km/h. The body offerings were a two-door saloon and a two-door cabriolet.
After the War, the car reappeared in 1949 as the IFA F8 and was produced at the Zwickau plant, which now operated under Soviet control. The F8 continued in production at Zwickau until approximately 1955: in addition to the sedan and cabriolet bodies, the delivery van and estate variants were introduced.
This DKW F8 Meisterklasse Cabriolet has spent its entire life in Germany until being brought into a collection in Italy. It is extremely true to its original spirit, retaining all of its original components.
This car has covered 51,423 km.
