The Big DKW 3=6

The Big DKW 3=6
by Jorg Lindner and Thomas Erdmann

For many people, the 'Big DKW 3=6' (Type F 93 and F 94) is the classic DKW par excellence. It embodies exactly what you would imagine a DKW to be: the rounded body with the oval radiator grille, the slightly curved windscreen and the trunk lid with the characteristic longitudinal ribs. In contrast to the DKW F 91, the F 93/94 was produced almost twice as long (September 1955 to August 1959) and sold in significantly higher numbers (a total of 156,993 units). This also explains why the 'Big 3 = 6' has the highest recognition value among all DKWs. There are three production series:

1st series: Model 1956, produced from September 1955 to September 1956 (Chassis number 500 021 to 546 035);
2nd series: Model 1957, produced from October 1956 to September 1957 (Chassis no. 546 036 to 588 410);
3rd series: Model 1958, produced from September 1957 to August 1959 (Chassis number 588 411 to 693 753).

In this issue of Club News, we want to take a closer look at the first series of the 'Big 3=6'.

At the time of the DKW dealer conference on 20th and 21st September 1955, the Dusseldorf plant was like an anthill. In the two days before the opening of the International Motor Show in Frankfurt, Auto-Union revealed what they expected would attract the crowds at the IAA. While maintaining the familiar side aspect from the F91, a new 10 cm widened DKW was presented, which they proudly called "Big DKW 3=6". To complete the surprise, all the DKW dealers over these two days were provided one of the new cars (just under 700 in total) to be taken as a demonstration car at the end of the conference. A contemporary photo shows that these were mainly plain-colored special limousines, but you can also see a few coupes. From today's point of view, the entire campaign was a masterpiece, because anyone who was unable to attend the show in Frankfurt was able to test drive a car at his local DKW dealer practically from the opening day of the IAA on September 22, 1955.

However, this did not apply to three other models of the 'Big 3 = 6' range, which were initially only to be admired at the IAA: the two or four-seater convertible and the four-door sedan. With the latter model, for the first time after the war Auto-Union extended the program to include a four-door model, which received the internal designation F 94. The chassis of this model had been extended by 10 cm. This new model was particularly well received in the export market.

Series production of the convertibles and four-seater sedan began in February 1956, after three model cars were completed in September 1955. The two cabriolet versions only remained in the program for one year, as Auto-Union was unable to agree orders with Karmann, who supplied the bodies. A total of 205 of the two-seater convertibles, including the three model cars, were built. Unfortunately, there is no reliable data on the number of four-seater convertibles. An internal Auto-Union document lists 239 four-seater F 93 Cabriolets, however, it is highly unlikely that such a large number were built in this version, since the four-seater Cabriolet is one of the rarest DKW models. It is more likely that a certain number of planned four-seater convertibles were redesigned into two-seaters, because the same statistics indicate the total number of two-seaters at 132, which the commission documents from Karmann clearly refute. In addition, the last built two-seater convertible delivered on September 27, 1956 with the body number 202 still exists.

With the 'Big 3=6', at least externally, the image of the small and cheap car, for which DKW had represented in the four rings since the 1930s, was finally removed. The 'Big 3=6' was certainly not cheap, especially in comparison to the Volkswagen, which was much more successful. However, in the opinion of the buyers the car was nicely shaped and tastefully decorated. With the new interior, the wider seats (some with a two-tone finish) and new door and side panels, now covered with plastic, the interior exuded elegance and middle-class flair.

From the front, it was the new ‘face’ of the car, the oval radiator grill, which was highly praised and which Auto-Union emphasized in advertising. This first series of the F93 can be easily recognized by the radiator cowling. Decorative strips were attached to the five cross ribs, which were painted in the body color and were surrounded by a chrome-plated frame. Two decorative chrome strips were fitted at the bottom left and right. Initially, the frame was made from one piece, later (from chassis number 531 636) the frame was made separately for manufacturing reasons and the wing strips abandoned. Compared to the DKW F 91, the fastening of the trunk lid had changed. The hinges were now visibly moved to the outside and the trunk was locked with a rod mechanism in the middle. In the advertising at the time, the changes were praised as an enlargement of the trunk. However, that proved a step backwards, because, firstly, this locking mechanism was a somewhat unsteady affair, and secondly, the placement of the hinges on the outside somewhat watered-down the formerly streamlined body line.

The windshield was enlarged by 28% and now fully arched (without a central crease), which made it possible to use parallel wipers. A new heater control, new bumpers and the now standard turn signal system, which at the front (partly in orange, partly in white for certain export countries) is placed sideways underneath the headlights and integrated in the rear (partly in orange, partly in red) in the newly shaped, drop-shaped taillights. The name "special class", which had been introduced with the F91, had been retained. The corresponding lettering continued to sit on the right front fender, while the familiar 3 = 6 lettering adorned the left pendant.

The three-cylinder engine known from the F 91 and its exhaust system had been refined. The power rating was now 38 hp at 4200 rpm. The slightly higher weight of the F 93 required a modified brake system (wider pads, smaller brake cylinders). The frame with engine and transmission suspension also had to be changed for the wider car, including stronger welded cross braces. The capacity of the 'banana-shaped' tank around the spare wheel was increased by three liters to 45 liters compared to the F 91. From chassis no. 516 164 the cable harness was changed and from chassis no. 525 254 the battery is reduced to 6 V 66 Ah.

In addition to the roller blinds installed behind the radiator screen, a standard built-in thermostat (up to chassis number 545 887) ensured that the three-cylinder engine remained at safe operating temperature. What was new, together with the modified carburetor, was the possibility to make a warm start in addition to the cold start aid. By pulling the start gassifier button to the first catch (halfway) only air was sucked in via the start mixture channel. As a result, the overrich mixture could be choked from a "drunk" engine and the engine started more easily.

The body variants offered for the F 93 models were most numerous in the 1956 range. The customer had the choice between:

Limousine Normal: Model 6893, fully synchronized 3-speed gearbox, fixed rear side windows, single-color upholstery, without front armrests, without trim strips on the body, without rubbing strips, narrow trim strips on the front and rear window frames, slotted rims, aluminum hub caps, spartan equipment (e.g. without steering wheel lock);
Price: DM 5,295.00

Special limousine: Model 6803, lock-synchronized 4-speed gearbox, fixed rear side windows, two-tone upholstery, without front armrests, narrow trim strips on the body, without rubbing strips, narrow trim strips on the front and rear window frames, slotted rims, aluminum hubcaps, tubeless tires only on request, better equipped;
Price: DM 5,695.00

Luxury coupe: Model 6813, lock-synchronized 4-speed gearbox, two-tone paint (roof offset), retractable rear side windows, two-tone upholstery with synthetic leather, lockable glove compartment lid (up to chassis number 522 706), armrests at the front , wide trim strips on the body, with rubbing strips and. Stone chip protection, wide trim strips on the front and rear window frames, perforated rims, chrome-plated hub caps, tubeless tires as standard, even better equipped (e.g. with clock);
Price: DM 5,995.00

Four-door limousine: Model 7009, lock-synchronized 4-speed transmission, four doors with crank windows, triangular windows that can be opened at the front and rear, one-piece rear window, continuous seat at the front, other equipment such as luxury coupe;
Price: DM 6,495.00

Cabriolet 4-seater: Model 6807, like luxury coupe but with two-tone full synthetic leather upholstery, body by Karmann;
Price: DM 7,295.00

Cabriolet 2-seater: Model 6808, like 4-seater Cabriolet, body from Karmann;
Price: DM 7,895.00

The 'Universal' was not yet included in the program for the Big 3=6 models, however, in order to be able to offer the customer a DKW in a combi version in 1956, Auto-Union continued production of the old F 91 Universal for another year. According to the customs at the time, the above-mentioned Prices (June 1956) do not include a heater, which cost DM 160 extra. This was included separately in the price lists, although the car could not be ordered without the so-called air conditioning system. But with this trick, the official base price could be a little more 'advertising effective'.

For the Coupe, you could choose the color 'aluminum' in addition to the well-known 'light ivory' for the painting of the roof. This so-called silver roof looked particularly elegant and classy in combination with a black painted body. A popular accessory was the folding sunroof, which was available at an additional cost of DM 385 for both limousine versions and for the coupe. This extra was a little more expensive for the four-door car at DM 425.

A DKW special brochure for police vehicles from October 1955 shows a F 93 as a four-door convertible (OTP - open touring car police), which was, however, a retouched photo of the corresponding F 91 model. At that time, it was probably still planned to build the F 93 in this special version, but this variant never went into series production. https://dkwautounionproject.blogspot.com/2019/03/dkw-police-vehicles.html

Unfortunately, the big sporting successes achieved in the F 91, like winning the European Championship in 1954, could not be achieved with the F 93, even if the "Big DKW 3=6" in some smaller races and rallies could achieve spectacular results. The first series of the F 93 / F 94 ran until the end of September 1956. A total of 46,128 vehicles were built in this first series, including 3,876 normal sedans and 4,366 four-door sedans. In October 1956 the production of the second series started, which came along with some optical and technical changes, which we will cover in the next edition.

Jorg Lindner and Thomas Erdmann. Originally published in German in the AUVC Nachrichten magazine Volume 92 March 1998