DKW F7

DKW F7 Reichsklasse / Meisterklasse

Manufacturer	Auto Union AG
Production	1937–1938
Predecessor	DKW F5
Successor	DKW F8
Layout	FF layout
Engine	584 cc & 692 cc two stroke straight-2
Transmission	3 speed manual
Wheelbase	2,610 mm (103 in)
Length	3,985 mm (156.9 in)
Width	1,480 mm (58 in)
Height	1,500 mm (59 in)
Curb weight	750 kg (1,700 lb) approx

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.

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

The ‘Front Luxus’ Cabriolet version introduced in 1938 shared the 692 cc engine of the Meisterklasse.

The popular F7 was replaced by the DKW F8 in 1939. By this time, approximately 80,000 F7s had been built.

Sources

This article incorporates information from the equivalent article on the German Wikipedia.