The Auto Union 1000 was the first car to get the old pre-war Auto Union badge (with the four rings) at a time when most cars coming from Düsseldorf were badged as DKW. In truth it was very similar in construction (box frame chassis), powertrain (three-cylinder two-stroke mated to front wheels) and styling to the DKW 3=6 (that's some new math for you guys) that it replaced. However, this 1000S runs on electrons instead of carbon-hydrogen bonds -- find this 1960 Auto Union 1000S Electric Car here on eBay bidding for $5,600 reserve-not-met with 5 days to go, located in Edmonds, WA.
This 1000S wasn't just the recipient of an electric powertrain, the car was given an off-body restoration, complete with chassis and suspension power coating, undercoating, and a single state urethane (not a base coat/clear coat) in Ascot Grey -- the seller did such a good job that Audi sent a video team to Washington state and did a short video about Al Swackhammer's car.
Under the hood isn't a 3-cylinder smokey 2-stroke, but an eco friendly and modern electric powerplant -- a Azure Dynamics 3phase AC24 motor with DMOC445 regenerative braking capable controller. The vehicle still uses the original 4-speed manual transmission, so you will need to do your own shifting, but it does have an electric reverse so you can probably go REALLY fast backwards.
Overall the car looks really nice and well done, but I have no idea what the final price after reserve will be...any guesses from the peanut gallery?
See another cool looking electric? tips@dailyturismo.com
I have written and discarded three responses to this posting, for fear of offending fans of displaced-emission conversions like this one. This will have to do.
ReplyDeleteand thank god for small favors
DeleteLove the look of these. Like a Citroen DS crossed with a Volkswagen Beetle with a dash of Morris Minor thrown in.
ReplyDeleteIm not worried about offending. Ive got nothing against electric conversions but why why why would you do it to such a unique car as this?
ReplyDeletePlus is the 4 speed a good idea? I wonder if it will hold up to the torque
Generally I agree with you that a car needs its original power plant if the engine is unique or defines the car as in this case. On the other hand, there were 171000 of these made so it's not actually that unique. Its mpg and 0-60 numbers were both in the 20's, so while the 2-stroke is cool, it wasn't actually that good.
DeleteLeaving the 4 speed is a good idea. It lets the driver choose if he wants power or speed, or if he wants to shift it like a real car. It also allows the builder to choose a smaller motor and keep batteries, controllers, wires and motors more reasonably sized and priced. The motor he used has 5% less torque than the stock engine. The motor's torque curve falls off at 4500rpm, right where the stock engine hit it's peak hp.
It could be that driving it is a lot like stock, except with a fat guy in the back holding his hands on your ears.