Auto Union 1000 SP Roadster

Auto Union 1000 SP Roadster

The Auto Union 1000 SP, produced from 1958 to 1965, was one of the most unusual and distinctive sports cars of its era — a front-wheel-drive roadster powered by a two-stroke three-cylinder engine that combined German engineering ingenuity with styling that was simultaneously attractive and eccentric. The 1000 SP represented Auto Union's attempt to create an affordable sports car using the company's unconventional mechanical layout.

The heart of the 1000 SP was its 981cc three-cylinder two-stroke engine, mounted transversely ahead of the front axle. Two-stroke engines were unusual in automobiles by the late 1950s but offered advantages in simplicity, light weight, and power-to-displacement ratio. The three-cylinder configuration with dual Solex carburetors produced 55 horsepower at 4,500 rpm — modest in absolute terms but competitive with the car's light 820 kg curb weight. The engine required oil to be mixed with the fuel (pre-mix or via an automatic injection system on later models), and it produced the characteristic two-stroke exhaust note — a buzzy, slightly smoky sound unlike any four-stroke engine.

The front-wheel-drive layout was unusual for a sports car in 1960 when most competitors used conventional front-engine, rear-wheel-drive configurations. Auto Union's experience with front-wheel drive dated to the pre-war DKW models, and the company continued this layout into the post-war era. The advantage was packaging efficiency — the compact drivetrain allowed for a spacious interior despite the car's modest overall dimensions. The disadvantage was torque steer and understeer under power, though the 1000 SP's modest power output meant these tendencies were manageable.

The bodywork was designed and built by Stuttgart coachbuilder Baur, famous for BMW convertibles and various custom bodies. The 1000 SP featured a distinctive two-tone paint scheme with contrasting colors separated by a character line running the length of the car. The styling was rounded and curvaceous, with prominent wheel arches, a low hood line, and wraparound windshield that gave the car a sporty, modern appearance. The build quality was generally good, reflecting Baur's coachbuilding expertise.

The interior was simple but functional, with two bucket seats, basic instrumentation, and minimal sound insulation. The soft top provided weather protection when needed, though it was manually operated and required some effort to raise and lower. The driving position was comfortable, and the visibility was good. Heating was marginal — a common issue with small displacement engines.

Performance was modest by sports car standards. The 1000 SP could reach 145 km/h (90 mph) and accelerate to 60 mph in approximately 21 seconds. However, the car's light weight, responsive steering, and willing engine provided an engaging driving experience despite the modest performance figures. Fuel economy was excellent, with careful drivers achieving over 35 mpg.

An interesting option was the Saxomat clutchless transmission system. This electro-mechanical clutch automatically engaged and disengaged when the driver touched the gear lever, eliminating the need for a clutch pedal. The system worked reasonably well and made the car easier to drive in traffic, though it added complexity and weight.

Only 6,640 examples of the 1000 SP were produced during its seven-year run, making it significantly rarer than contemporary British sports cars like the MG MGB or Austin-Healey Sprite. Production ended in 1965 as Auto Union (by then owned by Volkswagen) shifted focus to more conventional front-wheel-drive sedans that would eventually evolve into the Audi brand.

Today, the Auto Union 1000 SP is a rare and unusual collectible — a car that represents a unique moment in automotive history when German engineers experimented with unconventional solutions to create affordable sports cars. The two-stroke three-cylinder engine, front-wheel-drive layout, and distinctive Baur styling make the 1000 SP one of the most unusual sports cars of the 1960s.