I BOUGHT THE RAREST CAR I'VE EVER OWNED! Never Seen One Before!

[@stanceworks]

Can't say I've ever even heard of one of these, let alone seen one, even on the internet. It's definitely a perfect stablemate for the 700. I'll be ager to see how you tackle it, as I have to imagine almost everything will need to be redone. Fingers crossed someone from Argentina has some parts for you.

[@JohnLudwick]

Yea man, although surprisingly solid, everything mechanical and electrical needs to be redone. Luckily, nowhere near as bad as the 700 was. I’ve since been in touch with a couple friends from Argentina, and a few really interesting things are hopefully coming together there.

[@christovanwyk9168]

this is a DKW F1000. 3 cyl 3 coil 2 stroke.

[@CBALLEN]

I have always wondered, how do you find parts for these rare finds,but you answered it.

[@ChromaticGarage]

This is so rad John, absolutely zero clue this was existed. PS the backward facing Timelapse from the car on the trailer was so nice!

[@JohnLudwick]

Thanks man! I really appreciate that! I’m trying to reach your bar 😂

[@happybeng3642]

@@JohnLudwick this car is a dkw ,engines parts you cant find in germany wilem

[@Dave-ur5ub]

I know that I have a Lamborghini motor and an Audi gated 6 speed that would be badass to build a chassis that will slam it to the ground and mid engine that thing. And I know you could fit it. That car is rare in the States, but not in the world. Nice project. I bought the Kevin Van Voris Demon that went viral for the crash in his driveway. I'm also doing a huge collaboration with alot of well know youtubers out of Tennessee and also Florida.

[@restoreGT]

From Japan 🇯🇵 Please do your best

[@deangelos1980]

I love you guy’s relationship dad and son on the highway can’t beat that time

[@JohnLudwick]

Thanks Michael! I cherish it!

[@neildavies2276]

My dad used to crew for me when I had my drag Beetle. He keeps trying to persuade me to build another one - maybe when my little boy is bigger and can be involved too!

[@airambulancenewzealand5730]

Saw this listed. Great buy. Rare globally. Deserves a full resto

[@jaysone950]

Text book ‘John Ludwig’ car. Safe to say the Mercedes is outta here 😂 Finish that up, punt it down the road and get to work on the Auto Union. That car would’ve PERFECT for Helen. Unbelievable acquisition 🔥

[@jamesfreeland3137]

Hi, there. 👋 I'm in Germany and the Auto Union was a car company that was created by four small companies after WW2. That's why Audi has four rings as ther Logo. One of the companies (rings) was called DKW and they had 2stroke engine. It was the first car my Grandmother owned after the war and it was build right before the war. It's really rare even in Germany. DKW is the keyword I believe. Good Luck. Bye, from Berlin in Germany

[@gaborgenda9225]

I have been in one of these many times, as a passenger! I grew up in South Africa ( was not born there)... There were plenty of these around at that time ( mid to late 1960s) DKW mechanicals are the same...they had a (dangerous!) Freewheeling feature and they were quite a fast, light little car. On a no-limit freeway between Johannesburg and Pretoria, my dad was at 85mph...then a red one of these Auto Union cars actually passed us, with its engine screaming that typical two-stroke sound!! Parts were readily available in South Africa at that time, might be an idea to check that out!

[@guidononya7368]

Very weird but cool looking. I would small block V8 it. You saved it from probably a trip to the scrap yard in it's future. Just making it a running and driving vehicle again is cool enough. I also found a barn find in a barn at a junk yard. I was there looking for trim for my Chevy Nomad wagon and saw the yard mechanic trying to get it running. And hour later it was running and driving, so I bought it. I have a 1955 Austin FX3 English Taxi cab in Wisconsin.

[@JohnLudwick]

Yea man that’s my approach too! Super excited to put it back on the road! That Austin sounds awesome!

[@johnthelwell3244]

I live in the UK and remember a person in my village having a dark green one in the mid 60s. He also had a DKW which was a car from Eastern Germany. This is one rare car even in Europe. Good to see you are going to do something with it.

[@JamesAllmond]

I know that stretch of road well, before that was a gas/food desert! May be a Chevron station or two and that was it for the last 40 years! Glad to see SOMETHING is there nowadays! Check out 2stroketurbo channel! He lives for those little DKWs and 360 Subarus and other 2 stroke weirdness. These are rare enough to restore and not destroy/hot rod. Remember, Audi as a mark died in the 30's and was restarted when they went 4 stroke and got rebadged as Audi, sounded less German I guess...

[@enfamy_OG]

You are the perfect person for this car! Can't wait for the build! This and the 700 next to each other (both sitting on the ground) is gonna be perfect

[@nicolasgimelli2737]

Hi here in Argentina we have the auto unión 1000s Fissore (for us, it's a rare care too) apparently it's pretty much the same car. Maybe you can find some info in forums under this name. Or you can find info of the dkw 1000s, that was the 4 doors sedan, with the same engine. 👍👍

[@GreenSigmaTH]

If you ask me, i'm seeing WAY more Sunbeam Alpine/Tiger in that front end than an Aston Martin, but that's just my personal opinion. Very unique car regardless!

[@JohnLudwick]

I totally agree!

[@frankhoward7645]

As a former Alpine owner, I saw the same thing. In addition, the black top reminds me of the optional hardtop for the Sunbeam.

[@Duke_of_Prunes]

Sunbeam Alpines were a dime a dozen in college towns 40-50 years ago. Tigers were not common. XKEs, MGs, Fiat X19s, Datsun 240s, and Triumphs were super common. But, I don't ever remember seeing anyone drive an Aston Martin.

[@frankhoward7645]

@@Duke_of_Prunes You are correct about the pricing. I paid $200 for my 6-year-old Alpine in 1972. Of course, part of the reason for the low price was that it didn't run.

[@Duke_of_Prunes]

@@frankhoward7645 They are beautiful cars -- $200 was a deal, even in 1972!

[@thomthom3420]

We still call it DKW - although the company was called Auto-Union (which belonged to Daimler-Benz before ist was acquired by Vokswagen) DKWs were also built in Brazil (Vemag). There is a good classic car scene there. It might help to get in contact. Best from Germany.

[@JohnLudwick]

Yes, exactly!

[@Rev.Clarence]

Rare car indeed! Only 5000 coupes and 1645 convertibles produced between '58 and '65. Has a 2-stroke, 3 cylinder engine, front wheel drive. 0-60 in about 20 seconds. WOW, what a great find!

[@wordreet]

WoW! That's so cool. We knew someone that had a smaller Auto Union, sort of beetle shaped. But I was only 7 to 9 yrs old back then, so don't rem any dtails. Oh, apart from that 2 stroke engine noise.

[@Motormike2025]

Nice to see that car . It's a very rare car . I have a right side drive drive one from overseas. I've owned it for 40 years.

[@JohnLudwick]

Wow that’s amazing! UK market? I imagine they made only a small handful of RHD ones out of the 5,000 coupes produced! That’s crazy!

[@oliverlong2763]

Very cool. Looking forward to see what comes of it!

[@JohnLudwick]

I appreciate it!

[@jayinmi3706]

The blurred out thumbnail had me thinking Type 34 Karmann Ghia. I also was not aware of this car. But cool looking design!

[@danharper726]

All jokes aside it’s funny watching you and your dad work together. You two are a mirror image of each other.

[@JohnLudwick]

That’s definitely not the first time I’ve heard that! Haha

[@rstare1798]

hi there. cool car. there's a lot of rust through, but that's part of building. the nice thing, no matter what you do to it, it won't be sitting at a show next to 50 others for the "purists" to compare. I do Interiors and more and more people are building their toys to drive them and not as worried with perfect restoration. I was looking at the hood thinking it looked like a t-bird right as you were saying it's called a baby t-bird. I like small cars (even though I'm big). go for it and good luck from illinois.

[@JohnLudwick]

Exactly! I’ve always loved the unique characteristics of “preservation” projects and how individual each car can be!

[@jamesvesely131]

I’m so excited to see this come to John spec it’s gonna be awesome to watch it come alone. Can’t wait to see the Mercedes either!

[@JohnLudwick]

I really appreciate that, man! Thank you!

[@paulrubery1042]

That car has loads of character a great find mate good luck with it 👍

[@JohnLudwick]

Thank you!

[@installwebercarburetorsona6159]

Had a DKW 3=6. Roller bearing engine, freewheeling feature, crank triggered ignition using 3 sets of points and 3 coils. IIRC, vintage Harley spark plugs are a match.

[@JohnLudwick]

That’s amazing! I love the 3=6. This 1000 also has the freewheel transmission.

[@OsbornTramain]

On Parts, get connected to the Studebaker Drivers Club, Studebaker Packard owned Mercedes Benz of North American in 1958 thru 1965. There were many Studebaker Dealers that sold DKW and Auto Union being that they were owned by Mercedes Benz. Any DKW or Auto Union sold in the USA in this time period were sold thru Studebaker dealers......it's possible that there are parts out there thru some of the Studebaker vendors....the cars are recognized by the SDC and even judged in events should one happen to show up. (although I 've never seen one at a Studebaker show, they are so rare) In New Hampshire, check with Dennis Dupont formerly of Dupont Motors. He's in the Tri Spoke Chapter of the SDC

[@JohnLudwick]

That’s great to know! Thank you! A close friend of my family’s who recently passed was a high end studebaker collector in NH. His name was Bob Valpy, and he had lots of insane pieces.

[@timwegman5776]

I love that little lowered car you brought out of the garage, the way you did it up is totally my style super low with all the original rust lol love it!

[@77Sunsetstrip]

You did good! Never knew that existed. Amazing find!!!

[@JohnLudwick]

Thanks David!

[@rubensidecar5107]

In Argentina they were known as Fissore. There are thousands of “Auto Union” cars that share all the engine, transmission, and complete floor pans with the one you have.

[@patroell]

Cannot wait to see what you do with it! Super cool find!

[@JohnLudwick]

Thanks Pat!

[@johnuhelski8613]

Dude , you are just killing it , where do you find these cool coupes ? Keep up the great work.

[@ferdinandcuevas8457]

Looks like You have scored a unique car . I believe it has the same drive train as the old DKW which merged with Auto Union to form Audi . 3 cylinder 2 cycle 1 coil per cylinder . 🇺🇲🇵🇷

[@jamesk3565]

that is NICE, yea I've never heard of that one before, looking foward to more of her.

[@JohnLudwick]

Thanks James!

[@coreystrandberg9087]

HAH! I remember your comment on the post, this thing is super cool and I’m glad everyone will get to see a documented build on this!

[@JohnLudwick]

Thanks Corey! I’m really excited about it!

[@zjw3504]

I dig this alot! Look forward to seeing it on the road!

[@JohnLudwick]

Thank you!

[@maxbzyli]

Hey look for Wartburg 311/ 353 (East German cars) Engines are pretty much the same (just minor diffs). Maybe Headgasket Waterpump Fuelpump mand Gaskets could fit. Here in Germany you can get pretty much every spare parts for the Wartburgs.

[@bwalton1968]

That’s insane! I hope the motor in that makes the famous popcorn machine sound that the similar powered DKWs made! Love me some pre merger Audi cars!

[@charlesyoung7436]

First year students in the university I went to starting in 1963 were not supposed to have cars. One guy did have a 3 cylinder/ 2 cycle 1950's DKW that he'd park off campus, remove the engine, and tote it to his room to work on. If this Auto Union uses that engine, more parts sources may be out there.

[@johnwren3976]

Looks like Studebaker front end.

[@jeremysomeone]

If you don’t already, watch 2stroketurbo’s channel. He’s into DKW and NSU’s.

[@JohnLudwick]

That’s great to know! Thank you!

[@OldManTinkers]

Ok Lucked upon your channel and can't wait to see the progress, I agree with you 100% lay it out!

[@johnnybaca2898]

Unreal!!! Congrats John you deserve it!!! Your killing it man what a time to be alive!!!!

[@MizTori]

Really cool car. Glad you rescued it! I have a 1959 Singer Gazelle (10in US) and a 1938 Hillman Minx Roadster (2 Known)- Never had heard of or heard of them- but I had to get them. I find a lot of parts through EBay & FB Market place.

[@bartschwartz9233]

Old guy I know(80) had Hellman mink conv a problem car but quricky

[@jefferysmith3930]

What a find! I had never seen one of these until I paid a visit to the Lane Motor Museum in Nashville last November.

[@denniscoughlin7437]

Good luck finding parts!

[@johnnysmith863]

Just found your channel. Looks like the Auto Union will fit in well in your stable! My friend's dad has an Auto Union here in Scotland, said to be one of only 2 in the UK (and the only one driving). I've only seen it once and can't remember which model it is though.

[@JohnLudwick]

Wow, that is amazing! And yea, it’ll definitely fit in around here 😂

[@nathanhale6315]

Love it dude!! I didn't even know that Auto Union existed until now. Cya in Helen and safe travels!!

[@JohnLudwick]

Thanks man! Looking forward to seeing you guys again!

[@rubensidecar5107]

The assembly plant was in the Santa Fe province of Argentina under the banner of DKW, but the cars were known as Auto Union, you can steel buy a complete car in running order for @ the 1000$ marks. Engine spares are relatively easy to find and cheep to buy.

[@brianmccauley4849]

George Achorn of the ACNA recently did a podcast with an owner of one or two of these in Pennsylvania. That guy knew a LOT about them and how to get some parts. Nice find.

[@JohnLudwick]

That’s great know man! Thank you!

[@davidbarlow350]

That engine set up sounds like the running gear you'd find in a Wartburg. Might be useful for spares.

[@JohnLudwick]

Yes, exactly!

[@jamesfreeland3137]

Wartburg is a 3 Cylinder 2 stroke from Eastern Germany (DDR) and he might be lucky. but I doubt it. The Trabant might be a an option too. That's a 2 Cylinder 2 stroke.

[@dionrau5580]

Front, sunbeam tail end, 57 Ford.

[@pstreetgarage7304]

Amazing !! I was thinking the tail fins look like my 62 Comet.

[@devindonoghue1755]

CANT WAIT to see this build!

[@sheliabryant1911]

Sickest corvair ever in the shop.love your work.my son named his daughter corvair.

[@carguy53]

There was one of these at Import Carlisle a couple weeks ago. And if I'm not mistaken, the owner of the Audi dealer I used to work for owned one too.

[@nathanaelstrunk6478]

Awesome find! I'm anxious to see what you will do to it. I've seen the DKW's while growing up in Brazil and they had basically the same mechanicals with the 2 cycle 3 cylinder motors. Good luck!

[@michaeltutty1540]

Very interesting, and a great car. I have only seen one other, and that was on the net. I forget if it was on Hubnut or Furious Driving. I suspect it was the former. Definitely a sweet ride.

[@Javierlynn]

The potential on this is sooooo good!!!!

[@JohnLudwick]

I totally agree!

[@Javierlynn]

@@JohnLudwick not only for its rarity but also with the way your brain ticks. Looking forward to this build.

[@sulistiman]

👏 wow that's awesomely rare first time I've seen anything like this before but it's really cool looking 😎

[@Rebel9668]

I saw on the local news (Louisville station, either WHAS or WLKY) where Kentucky just got it's first Buccee's earlier this year. I've never seen one myself in person, just on videos. I'm in Southern Indiana though so I imagine it'll be a while yet as I seldom travel much.

[@dbeck582]

For Gods sake! go full resto on the Union. as rare as they are it would be worth a mint fully restored

[@ramblerdave1339]

I've known about this DKW 1000 variant since I was about 9 years old, but never seen one in the US. I want one too!

[@UncleJimi838]

Great little Deek sporter! I have a DKW Schnellaster van. Same 3 cyl. 2-stroke engine and, I suspect, suspension. I've done some research on these and may know of some collectors in Washington state. Please respond if you'd like visit about The Auto Union cars. Uncle Jimi

[@JohnLudwick]

That’s amazing!

[@mikeohandley1922]

Growing up, I knew an immigrant (now deceased) who used to race one of those in Switzerland until car racing was outlawed in Switzerland after a horrific race accident where a race car flew off the track and into spectator stands and killed a lot of people. He showed me photos of his car (The same as the one you've featured but color was red.). Interested in a Packard Hawk? There were only 588 ever made.

[@WarrenArmstrong69]

Such an amazing find, looking forward to seeing what you do with it.

[@JohnLudwick]

Thank you!

[@UberLummox]

I know about that model, but know nothing about them other than that. Congrats!

[@seanvatza4728]

You never fail to out do yourself with these radical rarities. Crazy.

[@RearEngineShop]

It’s pretty cool! I’ve never seen one. Nice find. 👍

[@JohnLudwick]

Same here! Thank you!

[@bicyclist2]

I once saw a red one for sale on the website for a exotic car dealer. This shouldn't be hot rodded at all. It needs a complete restoration. Thank you.

[@brentkiely657]

definately it should be restored to as original

[@Nopokenolove]

That’s amazing John, what a rad car

[@gmonnye]

Dude what!!!!! That things stupid cool

[@bagriders]

This is so cool!

[@JohnLudwick]

Can’t wait to get into it!!

[@andromedeawilson4172]

I know of 8 in Mexico! They are being sold for parts! And The Man who selling them also has parts!

[@JohnLudwick]

Please email me if you have any information about them!! [e-mail]

[@GTIBrandon]

What the what is this!? AMAZING! Congrats man!

[@JohnLudwick]

Thank you!

[@AidanTemplin]

Unreal bro!!!

[@s.m.r.5198]

Hey just a tip . 2stroketurbo here on KZbin would know about them and where to get parts . I believe he owns at least one .

[@JohnLudwick]

I’ve heard he’s the guy! I’ll definitely look him up! Thank you!

[@terranceriley8456]

I ain’t gonna lie, when you guys got that off the trailer and the ramps had come a gutsa, it bloody levelled me hahahaha

[@JohnLudwick]

Hahaha seriously man. Ugh

[@Schlipperschlopper]

Sadly soon all combustion cars including classics will be banned from public streets in entire EU and Scandinavia :-( In Germany the Green Peoples Party gave order to shorten fuel supply from 2025 on by reducing all conventional fuel stations to only one state operated central gas station per city or county. Now they want to slow down all the gas station pumps from 20 litre per minute to 2 litre per minute...From 2027 on in the EU certain car spare parts will be banned too....as exhaust systems, turbo chargers and even some engine and gearbox oils...California and New York will do the same from 2027 on.... So no investments should be done in oil burning cars any longer....They even created a new kind of crime here, called emissions and smoke crime.!!!! (BABBVEN LAWS AND TEBBVEN ORDERS)

[@JamesBond-hu9rg]

A red and Blk one Sold At Mecum at Santa Monica Airport a few yrs back. My Client got it for under $20k. Reminds me of a 57 T bird

[@todddenio3200]

I wish I knew how to send you a link. I came across another extremely rare car to find here in the states. I stumbled upon a 1932 DKW (Pre Audi) 2 door for sale but it's a long distance from you

[@JohnLudwick]

Shoot me an email! [e-mail]

[@nuttyvision1899]

Super awesome score! Im super jelly right now. I cant wait to see what you do with it. It needs a big turbo 1.8t lololol

[@JohnLudwick]

Seriously! Haha

[@ramblerdave1339]

@@JohnLudwick I think a 1000 cc, 4 cyl, 16 valve motorcycle engine, would be a good swap, or a NSU 1000 or 1200 (another Auto Union brand), inline 4 cylinder, air cooled, rear transverse mounted, TT, or TTS option.

[@misterbaker7284]

sick truck Mr.Ludwick!

[@teedub127]

The rarest and one of my favorite cars I've owned is a 1994 Subaru SVX, it was my introduction to all wheel drive but sadly it was a money pit just keeping it on the road.

[@mr.buffallo5597]

Mx-5 chassis for the auto Union

[@nicksothep8472]

The rear looks like a 60 Buick more than anything else

[@BrainsofFrank]

Just stumbled across this video. And I subbed just so I can watch this build progress

[@GrafsGarage3]

My initial thought was beetle pan build... but this car is a gem!!!

[@JohnLudwick]

It really is!!

[@GrafsGarage3]

@@JohnLudwick Im excited to see how this ride will sit down on the ground!

[@danielmariani5321]

hi, here in Argentina, we had Auto union 1000 s, four door, station wagon, and coupe 1000 s Fissore body, it look as 1000 sp, but has some differences, i think the powertrain is same

[@peterhodges6684]

I'm an old car guy, and I have never seen one..... good luck !

[@smallworldbigbus2703]

That Camry in the bushes is begging to give up its front subframe for this haha. Congrats on the purchase!

[@JohnLudwick]

Hahaha that Camry is free to the first person to come and get it out of here 😂

[@smallworldbigbus2703]

@@JohnLudwick I want to see you build a slamry out of it

[@thatsonebadhatharry8610]

Drop it on a Corvair chassis. Or drop a LS in it. Cool car whatever you do with it.

[@eriknelson45]

Sweet ramp set up you got

[@license2kilttheplaidlad640]

My grandfather sold those new used to have dealership items like broshures and calenders but it's all gone now

[@proyectogolfmk2]

Hello from Argentina, there is a few sedan 4 door, pickup and 3door wagoon AutoUnion here

[@williamfullman2639]

HOLY SWEET BISCUITS ive only seen pictures

[@JohnLudwick]

It’s so crazy!

[@ElMirageRacer4763]

Rear end is totally Cortina.

[@marleyman101]

This is unreal, man!!

[@mullerandre95]

A DKW (Deutsche Kak Wagen(German sh#t box) or rather Deutsche Kleine Wunder) My ex mother in law had one and sold it for 50 bucks in good running condition back in the early 90's. I'm from South Africa and we have quite a few of them here. The old round DKW is more common though. You can try the Auto Union or DKW clubs in South Africa too.

[@robertphillips6296]

That is one sad looking car!

[@Yelmer93]

Very excited for you and curious to see what you'll do with it!

[@JohnLudwick]

Thank you!

[@paulaspen7880]

Those wheels as a 3 piece would be killer!

[@JohnLudwick]

Yes man!