1961 DKW Junior 40S

Highlights

42,750 miles on the clock, believed to be genuine
Original UK-supplied car from Purley, Surrey
Recently recommissioned after barn storage
Original paint coat with characterful patina
Recent mechanical overhaul.

The Appeal

The DKW Junior is a fascinating - and relatively obscure - piece of automotive history. Manufactured by Auto Union of West Germany - the direct predecessor to Audi as we know them - the car hit the market in just as two-stroke cars were beginning to phase out of the public eye. While that seemed fiercely old-fashioned, its spec was remarkable - boasting front wishbones, a twist-beam semi-independent rear suspension, rack steering, telescopic shocks and inboard front brakes. Couple that up with its lightweight, front-wheel drive layout and filled-out Ponton styling and you had a fiercely innovative car, picked out with evocative '60s tailfins!

The 40S variant, with its tuned and ported block, domed pistons, and larger carburettor, provides an extra touch of performance that belies its vintage powerplant - and on a car this lightweight, makes it quite a performer.

This particular 1961 DKW Junior F11 40S is a rare find with only 42,750 miles on the clock, believed to be genuine. It has been recently recommissioned for the road after being barn-stored for quite some time. The car retains its original paint coat, which presents well with a charming patina, and the interior is in excellent order for its age.

Recent mechanical overhaul, bringing that fanciful spec up to fine fettle, this DKW Junior defies its venerable years and is a truly compelling, unique classic for the discerning enthusiast.

History and Paperwork

Registered in 1961
6 previous registered keepers
Original UK-supplied car (Purley, Surrey)
Extensive history, full workshop manuals, and comprehensively serviced for return to the road from barn storage
Earlier service history unknown, no service book present
Barn stored for a considerable time, recommissioned for the road by current owner
Mileage believed genuine, consistent with vehicle and mechanical condition
The history is unusual. The car was registered to the main dealer (Jack Playford Limited) and not sold to a new owner until 1996 when it was 35 years old. Most likely it was initially used as a courtesy car, and then probably as a showroom exhibit. MoTs show that the mileage was 41743 in 2007 and the car has only had an additional 2067 miles added in the last 17 years
MOT exempt - last tested in 2019

The Condition

Body on chassis construction, in an attractive ponton package with evocative tailfins
Original paint coat of Glasurit Zenit Blau with a white roof
Never required structural repairs, still in original paint coat, original interior except for front seat belts
Attractive overall patina, paint polishes up to a good shine
Minor surface rust on sharp body folds and bolt locations
Some scratches requiring minimal paint touch-up
Small ding in the right rear wing visible against the light
Two-tone roof added as part of the 40S specification
Tiny amount of penetrating rust at the base of one front wing, non-structural
Chassis is totally solid and has never required work
Entire underside has been anti-corrosion treated and is in very clean order for its age
Interior in very good order for the vehicle's age
Original interior except for replacement walnut door trims (unique to the 40S model)
Addition of front inertia reel belts and a USB socket for phone or satnav
Some discolouration of the roof lining from a previous smoker
Original floor mats and supplying dealer stickers present

The Mechanics

741cc two-stroke I3 engine
Manual transmission with 4 gears
40S is a dealer-fitted option with:
- Tuned and ported block
- Domed pistons
- Raised compression ratio
- Larger carburettor
Advanced car for its day with:
- Front wheel drive
- Double wishbone front suspension
- Twist beam semi-independent rear suspension
- Rack steering
- Telescopic shocks
- Inboard front brakes
Original mechanical specification
Original engine and transmission, consistent with low recorded mileage
Recently recommissioned for the road with including:
- Overhaul of the fuel system (carburettor and fuel pump rebuild)
- Overhaul of the ignition system (new points, condensers, coils, and a tune-up)
- Honed and new rubber seals fitted to leaking and seized front brake wheel cylinders
- Overhauled other electrics and fitted new bulbs where necessary
- Correctly aligned headlights
- All chassis grease points attended to
- Fresh gearbox oil
- Replaced one perished CV gaiter
- Drained, flushed, and replaced coolant
The vendor recommends a more thorough brake overhaul to fit new wheel cylinders and replace flexible hoses
Vehicle has been in regular use and reportedly drives nicely with everything operating as it should
The vendor highlights that it handles like a contemporary vehicle with modest understeer and responsive cornering
They note it keeps up with modern traffic on the motorway and accelerates strongly away from the lights

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