What are the defining characteristics of the modern mini-van? Front wheel drive? Transverse engine? Front wheels set forward of the passenger cabin? A one-box design with a short and sloping aerodynamic hood? A flat floor throughout, and flexible seating and transport accommodations? And which one was the first? Renault Espace or Dodge Caravan? How about the DKW Schnellaster (Rapid Transporter)? It had them all, in 1949. Time to give it a little recognition.
In light of the endless arguments about the origins of the modern minivan, the truth is it’s essentially impossible to say who truly came first. But in terms of the qualities that define the modern space-maximizing van, especially with the engine, transmission and front wheels set ahead of the passenger compartment, the DKW makes a very compelling run for the title. If there’s any better challengers for the title, please step forward now.
It shouldn’t be surprising that DKW would pioneer this remarkably space-efficient design, since DKW can rightfully also be called the pioneer of mass-production FWD cars, period (see full story here). Beginning in the late twenties, DKW developed a series of highly successful cars, using transverse-mounted two-stroke engines. They were some of the best selling cars in Germany during the thirties, and DKW continued building later three-cylinder two-strokes into the mid sixties until Auto-Union was sold to Mercedes, and a modern four stroke engine was substituted in the seminal Audi.
In 1949, DKW put its compact two-cylinder drive train to good use in the roomy Schnellaster series, which also comprised panel vans, Kombi, pickups, and other specialized bodies. The Schnellaster preceded the VW Bulli Transporter into production, albeit briefly. Obviously, the two competed for the same turf, as did their automobiles. Needless to say, the VW outsold the DKW, and eventually Auto Union exited the commercial market, especially since it wouldn’t have fit with Mercedes’ own portfolio of similar vehicles, which included the FWD Hanomag.
The two-stroke’s heyday was the thirties, and even though it survived into the early sixties, its limitations were becoming increasingly obvious in the fifties. That, among other reasons, probably best explains why the VW Bus came to dominate this market, despite the intrusion of its rear engine into the passenger compartment, making a flat load space impossible.
One thing is clear: the Schnellaster was obviously named with tongue firmly planted in DKW’s cheek. The first series had a 700cc two cylinder that produced 20 hp, had a three speed transmission, and a top speed of 70 kmh! That’s 43 mph; not exactly schnell by any stretch of the word. But then the VW Bus started out with 25 hp, so it’s not like it was exactly a rocket in comparison.
Later models enjoyed a steady increase in power (30 hp), and in 1955 the 3=6 version feature the 900cc three-cylinder 32 hp engine from the respective DKW/Auto Union cars, whose slogan indicated that three two-stroke cylinders had the same power pulses ans smoothness as a four-stroke six cylinder engine. Eventually, the original design was replaced by the more typical engine-between seats Donau and its later evolution, the boxier Imosa, as seen in this ad from Spain, which also shows the older van as still available.
The DKW’s FWD layout made an ideal platform for campers, too. Even an American company made an this early RV, the Flintridge Caravan, but it challenges the mind to imagine what its 33 hp could do, especially on on mountainous terrain. Definitely “a new concept” in patience. But then I have vivid memories of riding in a fully loaded (nine adults and a few kids) 30hp VW Bus through the Alps to Switzerland. The magic of low gearing and spectacular scenery made it doable and bearable. But the wide open roads of the US might be a just a bit more challenging.
This is the German RV version, by Westfalia. With a little VW three-pot TDI swapped in, this would be awesome, and probably get 30-35 mpg. I want! Schnelllaster lovers, head to schnellaster.de. (Pictures courtesy of that site)
So what made me think of the little Schnellaster this rainy morning? Well, this is what started my train of thought. And then I remembered the wurst-wagen! There was a DKW Schnellaster that was always parked on the main street in Innsbruck that the proprietor sold the best hot dogs out of its side window. I loved that van as much or more than the hot crunchy würstel that came out of it. Sometimes I would hear him coming or going; I still associate the sound and smell of a two-stroke with hot dogs. And its distinctive shape, and roomy body thanks to its one-box FWD layout left a lasting impression on me. Perhaps Fergus Pollock took a trip to Innsbruck in his youth too.
Awesome little van Paul I thought this article might reappear in the wake of yesterdays DKW history lesson. I dont know if any of these made it to NZ we do have the cars so theres probably some here. These like all vans of the era were not designed for high speed freeway use but for round town deliveries where speed is of little use.
I had a 58 CA Bedford similar ideas top speed about 60mph but it could turn inside a triumph Herald the steering lock was incredible no horsepower but geared low it had been a tractor service van in a previous life and could carry all the equipment needed to split and strip a Massey Fergusson on farm and the results back again speed was unneccessary.
Hi Bryce & others . . . Yes indeed this is a DKW Schnellaster here in NZ !
It was a private import though via South Africa in the early 60s.
Its in storage awaiting restoration.
Wow that awesome. What’s old is new. Does anyone have a new idea in Detroit? I saw one of these little gems in September in Ocean City Maryland. It was hot rodded. Didn’t know what is was until today. Thanks.
Looks awesome rodded like that!
it is a 1958 dkw autounion it has a 4.3 with a turbo, 9” rear 411 gear , 20x 15 wheels on rear ,18×8 on front on air bags
I want this:
Thats cool
The 2nd to last picture looks so much like a VW/Winnebago Rialta it’s scary:
LOVE those cute little visored froggy eyes. The next “Cars” movie should have one of these as a kindly old German professor.
the dkw was a really beautiful design; clearly way ahead of its time.
i’ve been thinking about the espace vs. caravan controversy since i reread the article you linked to here. i’ve come to the conclusion that we’ve been comparing apples and oranges. the espace and the dkw are european “people movers”. the dodge caravan is an american “van”. that’s a significant difference, even if the underlying technology is the same.
chrysler came out with the minivan just after the peak of the custom van era. remember all those “a-team” vehicles with captain seats, etc.? the genius of the minivan is that it took most of the utility of the van package and scaled it down to a k-car. it’s true that the transverse mounted fwd design made it possible but the main thing is that americans recognized it as a “van” not a micro “bus.” the key was the sliding door and easily removable rear seats. you could haul kids and/or cargo. the main difference between the mini van and the van was that the mini drove like and got the gas mileage of a car.
you’ll notice that today all american minivans have sliding doors and european people movers still have conventional doors.
I see so much early Mopar Caravan in this it’s scary.
Ma Mopar was really going after VW in the early to mid 80s (Omni/Rabbit, GLH/GTI, Pickup/Rampage, Scirocco/Omni 024, charger, duster). The Schnellaster Van could have been the proto-Mini K van. I wouldn’t put it past Lido at all..
A fascinating write-up on a stunningly cool van!
Paul, have you ever seen or written an article on the , I think it’s a Scarab van ?. It too was a “before it’s time minivan” I think it used a Ford flathead v-8. If not, then I remember reading about another one that did. Google a 1935 Stout Scarab.
35_Stout_Scarab_DV‑06_PBI_002.jpg
It has a rear engine and movable seats. I have an big box full of old popular mechanics magazines and remember seeing one of these featured in it.
Yes, I’m quite familiar and enamored with the Scarab. In fact, I’ve had periods where I rather obsessed on it. I’ve always had a thing for one-box vehicles, and the Scarab is truly a pioneer in that respect. I’ll get around to it one day again.
Hi Paul, I have just uploaded a photo of a 1951 DKW bus to the Cohort album
Ahh, another Deek. My DKW connection had one of these plus a 3=6 Universal converted to a panel delivery. I miss my Deek!
You have posted two informative articles about the DKW/Auto Union product line. How about a followup article on the DKW Bronco?
http://www.cartype.com/pics/7801/full/dkw_bronco.jpg
Difficult to answer. You did not mention about the Citroen Cube which came out at about the same time. But these vans were more or less trucks.
Now as for the minivans, they were cars with a lot of space. In fact the Espace was driving as well as a Renault 20/30 and could match road holding of many smaller cars and was sold as a higher end vehicle.
The Dodge Caravan did the job from the other end: providing the average family with an affordable spacious vehicle to replace the gas guzzlers that were the full size station wagons.
The Renault Espace arrived before the Dodge Caravan since it was deisgned in the 70s by Matra which made it for Renault at the beginning. Then Chrysler which bought over AMC got the information about the Renault’s project which did intend to introduce its Espace model into the American market through AMC until Chrysler killed all Renault’s dreams (sic !) since they decided to favor their strategic alliance going on with Mitsubishi (sic !).
Competitors or challengers? Well, DKW’s little van was probably the first in production.
But may I offer the classic Fiat 600 Multipla? No, not the hideous four-eyed monstrosity from 1999, the BMW 600-like “Multipla” minivan in the sixties.
Or perhaps the Stout Scarab? A car designed by a man by the name of Stout (do not confuse with Stoat) and aerodynamic, it looked impossibly long, even though it wasn’t that long. It was never put into production.
The Citroen TUB (1939-1941) and then the H van (1947) where prior to the DKW and were the first van with a sliding door…
Put up this on the cohort recently it was a boys Xmas present and really looks like the DKW to me
looks a bit like a nissan S-Cargo
Escargot, monsieur.
Just watched Hitchcock’s 1958 “Vertigo” again and spotted a Schnellaster parked on a San Francisco street. (Photo from IMCDB.)
MikePDX – uncanny that you spotted this too. I saw it for the first time today and have spent the last 4 hours searching out what it was – I couldn’t freeze the film and thought it was a very early VW type 2. Finally, your note pointed to this forum – Thank you Thank you Thank you – now I can sleep soundly – phew!
Road and Track compared one with a VW bus in the December 1956 issue. They ended up buying a DKW for the magazine.