DKW Junior / F11 / F12 History

Shown at the 1957 Frankfurt Motor Show as the DKW 600, the model reached series production in 1959 under the Junior name, powered by a 741 cc three-cylinder two-stroke producing 34 bhp. A Junior de Luxe variant with a 796 cc engine followed, adding a 'fresh oil automatic' lubrication system that removed the need to mix oil into the fuel — a key convenience step for the two-stroke formula.

By December 1962 exactly 118,986 Juniors had been built, plus 118,619 Junior de Luxe cars, making it one of the most successful small cars in West Germany during that period. In January 1963 the range was reorganised into the F12 (889 cc, 40 bhp, front disc brakes — a class first) and F11 (a simplified 796 cc de Luxe variant introduced June 1965). The F12 also offered a roadster body on a shortened wheelbase.

The Junior/F11/F12 family demonstrated that buyers still accepted the two-stroke if the package was right — economical, front-wheel drive, and practical. Production ended in 1965 as the larger F102 was meant to carry the brand upmarket, though in practice the Junior outlasted DKW's reputation for relevance.