The present post is different. It deals with cars from two different makers that literally had the same origin.
That origin was the pre- World War 2 Auto Union DKW brand's model F9 prototype. It did not immediately lead to production due to the war. But postwar, F9 type cars were built. The first to appear were the IFA (Industrieverband Fahrzeugbau, active 1948-1991) F9s produced 1948-1956 in Automobilwerk Zwickau in East Germany. Zwickau was where prewar DKWs were made.
Meanwhile Auto Union was reorganized in West Germany and the DKW brand's model F89 was produced 1950-1954. It lacked the more advanced three-cylinder, two-cycle motor of the IFA F9 because IFA retained important prewar DKW engineering resources. But during 1953-1959, DKW built model F91 ("3=6") that did have such an engine. Also, DKW had a larger market and became more prosperous than IFA and therefore was able to take the lead technically and in terms of marketing attractiveness.
Below are examples of cars of the two brands with shared ancestry.
Gallery
DKW F9 Prototype - 1939
Note the grille design.
Same car, rear-quarter view. Nicely streamlined, though aside from the front fenderline extending over the door, the overall effect is more late-1930s and 1940s. The two-segment, aft backlight window is perhaps the most retrograde feature.
IFA F9
Sales literature for the 1950 IFA F9. The design is the same as the prototype aside from brand identification items on the grille and trunk lid along with different tail lights, chrome grille bars and a few other minor details.
This later IFA F9 sports chrome trim around the windshield panels and a chrome strip along the hood cut and beltline.
Now for walkaround views of a for-sale 1952 IFA F9.
There are now chrome strips covering the trunk lid strakes.
Compare this '52 IFA F9 to the ...
DKW F89 Meisterklasse
1950 DKW F89 Meisterklasse ("Master Class"). The grille differs. Also, this photo seems to be of a car lacking glass.
Another F89. The backlight is one-piece curved glass that the East Germans apparently could not make at the time.
DKW F91 Sonderklasse
A 1953 DKW Sonderklasse ("Special Class") with the larger, three-cylinder motor. It has a one-piece curved windshield and lower-side chrome trim.
Rear quarter view showing the three-segment wraparound backlight window.
Publicity image of the hardtop coupé version of the F91.
That origin was the pre- World War 2 Auto Union DKW brand's model F9 prototype. It did not immediately lead to production due to the war. But postwar, F9 type cars were built. The first to appear were the IFA (Industrieverband Fahrzeugbau, active 1948-1991) F9s produced 1948-1956 in Automobilwerk Zwickau in East Germany. Zwickau was where prewar DKWs were made.
Meanwhile Auto Union was reorganized in West Germany and the DKW brand's model F89 was produced 1950-1954. It lacked the more advanced three-cylinder, two-cycle motor of the IFA F9 because IFA retained important prewar DKW engineering resources. But during 1953-1959, DKW built model F91 ("3=6") that did have such an engine. Also, DKW had a larger market and became more prosperous than IFA and therefore was able to take the lead technically and in terms of marketing attractiveness.
Below are examples of cars of the two brands with shared ancestry.
Note the grille design.
Sales literature for the 1950 IFA F9. The design is the same as the prototype aside from brand identification items on the grille and trunk lid along with different tail lights, chrome grille bars and a few other minor details.
1950 DKW F89 Meisterklasse ("Master Class"). The grille differs. Also, this photo seems to be of a car lacking glass.
A 1953 DKW Sonderklasse ("Special Class") with the larger, three-cylinder motor. It has a one-piece curved windshield and lower-side chrome trim.
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