This DKW F 89 L Schnellaster is a restored Viehtransportwagen (“cattle transport car”) powered by a 900cc two-stroke three-cylinder engine paired with a 4-speed manual transmission. The truck features a wood-slat enclosed transport bed with a removable canvas top, and was reportedly restored by the previous owner in Germany shortly after he acquired it in 1989. The seller purchased the truck after it was featured on BaT in November 2016, and imported it into the US. Restoration work included a repaint in the original color, and the mechanicals have been detailed and updated with a 12-volt conversion and the addition of a water pump. 57k kilometers (~36k miles) are shown, with 500 kilometers added by the seller. This DKW is now offered with restoration receipts in German, historical documents, an owner’s manual and period parts catalogs, and a clean California title in the seller’s name.

The body reportedly wears an older repaint in the original shade, and new planks were installed on the bed at that time. The lift gate was not refinished, and shows some nicks and surface corrosion. The seller reports that some cracking can be seen on the hood and front bumper. DKW and Auto Union badging is present around the exterior.

The vented driver-side fender passes air to the radiator box as pictured below. Steel wheels wear aluminum DKW center caps with older Firestone Phoenix all-terrain tires on the front driven wheels, and bias-ply road tires in back. Note the side door allowing curbside access to the bed.

The cattle compartment is pictured above with a motor scooter shown for scale. A canvas top is included but not pictured. Pictures from the original owner’s manual showing the truck being used for animal transport can be seen in the gallery below. A sign on the tailgate warns that the truck is only for the transport of a single animal for slaughter (nur für Einzel-schlactungen).

A VDO speedometer and water temperature gauge are the only instruments, and a fuel selector includes an option for a reserve tank. The added water pump is operated with a plunger switch below the ignition. 56,764 km (~36k mi) are shown, with 500 km added by the seller over two years of ownership.

A single bench seat has been reupholstered in black vinyl, and gears are selected with the column-mounted shift lever. The electrical system has been converted to 12-volt, though the new battery is too large for the spare-tire-mounted battery tray.

The “3=6” 900cc two-stroke triple was shared with the contemporary DKW/Auto Union lineup. Power is sent to the front wheels through a 4-speed manual transmission. The barrel fuel tank at left uses a dipstick gauge to measure fuel level, and the radiator is housed in the box to the right right. Note the fixed headlights. The electric water pump was added by the previous owner to aid cooling.

A collection of underbody shots can be viewed in the gallery below.

A folder of receipts and notes in German document refurbishment work and subsequent maintenance, and excerpts are included in the gallery.

A collection of cool period literature includes brochures, owner’s manuals, registration documents, and DKW parts catalogs. Videos showing the function of the lights and turn signals can be seen below.