IFA F8

The IFA F8 is a passenger car of the industry association vehicles of the GDR, which was produced as a development of almost identical DKW F8 1949-1955. The F8 is in the series of DKW Front wagons that began in 1931 with the F1 and the first to successfully apply an end to the front-wheel drive in a production vehicle.

History

The Audi works in Zwickau, the first since 1945 had orders to carry out repair work for the Soviet Military Administration in Germany (SMAD ), already planned in 1946 to take up the new car production on the basis of the pre-war DKW F8 again. The first newly-built vehicle was presented in 1947 still under the name " DKW - IFA F8" at the Leipzig Fair. In 1948, the SMAD were presented in Berlin -Karl Horst three prototypes. A year later, the series production began. Pretty soon they wanted to the production of this traditional model but again quit. Extensive foreign orders in 1953 but moved to a continuation of the production, with some improvements, such as a revised front suspension, were realized. For type program to more convertible models joined. Until the final cessation of production in 1955 ran about 25,000 IFA F8 from the tape.

Technology

Motor

Source: IFA F8 page

The IFA F8 had the 0.7 -liter engine of the DKW master class, which is largely unchanged powered the DKW - front car since 1933. On the technique of the built behind the front two-stroke engine with Schnürle - reverse circulation among Thermosiphonkühlung and the flat flow gasifier H30 Berlin carburetor factory. The force was transmitted through a three-speed gearbox ( with lockable freewheeling in all three courses ) on the front wheels. They started with the F8 Dynastart - a combination of starter and alternator.

The engine was further used with changed direction and increased power in the EEZ P70 and served as the basis for the produced until 1990 Trabant engine.

Karosserievarianten

Source: German Automobile

While the original, the DKW F8, was made ​​only as a van, sedan and cabriolet, received the new IFA F8 also a structure as a station wagon and pickup and could be used as versatile. The body was made of wood and was covered with artificial leather. For the fenders and hood grille including steel sheet was used. The convertible body was completely covered with sheet metal. As of February 1953, hoods and other parts of the convertibles of thermosetting plastic ( cotton- fiber reinforced phenolic resin ) were prepared. Luxury convertible and convertible with a special body of the body work Dresden were first introduced at the Leipzig Fair in 1953.

The front wheels were independently suspended, the back of a rigid axle, front and rear suspension by transverse leaf springs with hydraulic lever shock absorbers. On all four wheels to mechanical duplex brakes were. The steering was a rack and pinion steering with straight teeth.