DKW F7

The DKW F7 is a front-wheel-drive, two-stroke, subcompact family car launched by Auto Union’s DKW division in 1937, succeeding their DKW F5 range. In the F7 update, the slightly smaller entry-level 'Reichsklasse' body was dropped – instead all F7s, including the base trim, now got the slightly longer body previously reserved for the 'Meisterklasse' model.

DKW F7 Reichsklasse / Meisterklasse
DKW F7 saloon
Overview
ManufacturerAuto Union AG
Production1937–1938
AssemblyZwickau
Australia[1]
Body and chassis
ClassSubcompact family car (C)
Body style2-door saloon
2-door cabriolet saloon
2-door coupe cabriolet
coupe utility[1]
van[1]
LayoutFF layout
RelatedToyota EA
Powertrain
Engine584 cc & 692 cc
two stroke straight-2
Transmission3-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,610 mm (103 in)
Length3,985 mm (156.9 in)
Width1,480 mm (58 in)
Height1,500 mm (59 in)
Curb weight750 kg (1,650 lb) approx
Chronology
PredecessorDKW F5
SuccessorDKW F8

Some 80,000 of these front-wheel drives were sold until the 1939 DKW F8 successor was released.

The body

The entry level 'Reichsklasse' saloon now shared the hitherto slightly longer body of the 'Meisterklasse' saloon. Otherwise, changes between the F5 and the F7 were mostly at a detail level.

From launch, a 2-door saloon and a 2-door cabriolet saloon, with fixed sides, were offered. In 1938 a full cabriolet 2‑door, 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).[2]

Like all the small DKWs of the 1930s, the F7 had front-wheel drive,[2] which in its era was still very innovative, but in subsequent decades would become the default drive layout in the majority of cars around the world.

Commercial

The popular F7 was replaced by the DKW F8 in 1939. By this time, approximately 80,000 F7s had been built.[3]

  • DMW F7 saloon
    DMW F7 saloon
  • DKW F7 cabriolet saloon
    DKW F7 cabriolet saloon
  • The DKW F7 Front Luxus Cabriolet, introduced in 1938, shared the 692 cc engine of the Meisterklasse.
    The DKW F7 Front Luxus Cabriolet, introduced in 1938, shared the 692 cc engine of the Meisterklasse.
  • DKW F7 van
    DKW F7 van

Sources
  1. The History of DKW Cars in Australia, heinkelscooter.blogspot.com.au Retrieved 1 May 2016
  2. Odin, L.C. World in Motion 1939 – The whole of the year's automobile production. Belvedere Publishing, 2015. ASIN: B00ZLN91ZG.
  3. Daniel Vaughan. "1937 DKW F7 - conceptcarz.com". conceptcarz.com. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
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