This blog is an archive of DKW related articles, manuals, brochures and posts. It also covers East German successor marques, such as IFA, AWZ, Wartburg, Sachsenring, MZ and IWL.
The Buchan Motorsport channel on YouTube produces excellent motoring history videos. Linked below is a series about the development of Audi's most famous cars, the Quattro. Check it out and give the channel the appropriate likes and subscribe. www.youtube.com/@bsport320
Back in 2016 I began to consider purchasing an IFA F9 or F8. I made several enquiries with oldtimer dealers in Eastern Germany. One of those was KFZ Steffen Lange of Calau. Steffen Lange had a large collection of DKW, IFA and assorted East German vehicles for sale and I often dreamed of loading a shipping container of 'goodies.' One of the vehicles I seriously considered purchasing was this 1953 IFA F9. This is a very early, IFA-built F9s constructed in the former Audiwerkes in Chemnitz. Only 1627 examples of the limousine were ever built as IFA struggled to overcome material shortages, build quality issues, lack of workforce and competing priorities with VEB's demand for truck and tractor production. For the details of these challenges, see here: https://dkwautounionproject.blogspot.com/2020/11/postwar-veb-horch-trucks-and-tractors.html
Among the 'primitive' and distinctive features of these early cars are the split front and rear windscreen, trafficators and a front mounted petrol tank, as East Germany did not have a fuel pump manufacturer at this time.
The car had been sitting for decades and required extensive rehabilitation. From an initial glance, I suspect there have been substantial modifications made to the car's dashboard and gear shift. The fascia and column mounted gear shift appear to come from a later, Eisenach-built F9, however, it could be that this was an early Eisenach assembled car using an IFA-built older body. A transitional example.
After due consideration, I decided not to proceed and ended up buying a 1953 DKW F89P instead. The long restoration process of that car is extensively documented in this blog.
I'm pleased to see however, that the owner of Buchan Motorsport has purchased this rare and interesting car. They have produced two every well-made and detailed videos about the F9 and its importance and this car makes a great, practical addition to their interest. I look forward to seeing more videos about the progress of the car's rennovation.
Part One - DKW F9 - The Forgotten Superstar
Part Two - DKW F9 - How it influences German car industry to today
I would like to give a big shout out to the team at the Buchan B-Sport YouTube channel for putting together two really excellent videos about the history of the DKW F9 and its modern successors. These are really well put together and very interesting. Please enjoy and give them a like. www.youtube.com/@bsport320
