John Mitchell, founder of Kilgarvan Motor Museum, Kilgarvan, Co Kerry first bought this lovely blue 1963 DKW Junior in 1968 when it was only five years old and “it was practically new”. John drove the car for a number of years and then sold it onwards.
In recent years it was through a casual conversation with a DKW collector known to the Mitchell family that John found out that the man who had bought his 1963 Junior had then died shortly afterwards.
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On Sunday 11/6/2023 our feature story, only available to view on the ‘Ireland Made’ page on www.patreon.com recounts the world-wide success of Armagh-born coachbuilder John Stephenson credited in the 1830s with inventing the first tram (streetcar) to run on rails.
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The DKW collector had then bought the car and dry-stored it for the next 40 years. As John Mitchell’s was the last name in the taxbook, the collector was now enquiring would John like to buy his old car back? And so, it came to be that after 54 years of separation, John Mitchell and his beloved 1963 DKW Junior were reunited again.
After a recommissioning the bodywork and getting the engine running, John tells us in the video of his indescribable joy in driving the car again after 54 years!
DKW is derived from “Dampf-Kraft-Wagen,” meaning “steam powered vehicle.” DKW gained recognition for its motorcycles and in 1931, expanded into automobile production. The following year, DKW merged with Audi, Horch, and Wanderer to form Auto Union which later became Audi.
From 1952 at a factory in Ballincollig, County Cork, Jim Hennessy imported, assembled and sold DKW cars, motorcycles and vans that arrived in kit form. John Mitchell’s DKW Junior was assembled in Ballincollig in 1963. However, Irish production came to an end in 1964 when Volkswagen acquired Auto Union.
Come to Kilgarvan Motor Museum this summer and receive a great welcome from the Mitchell family. They are passionate about preserving Ireland’s motoring heritage by showcasing classic and vintage vehicles including many preserved vehicles that were assembled in Ireland.
The museum is open Tuesday to Saturday all summer, come and see the vehicles from the photo competition. And they don’t just have cars, motorbikes and bicycles, come and see their beautiful gardens and enjoy a snack in the coffee shop.
Information sources:
DKW: The Complete History of a World Marque – Siegfried Rauch & Frank Ronicke
Powdermills (Ballincollig)
The Auto Union-DKW guide – Keith Ayling
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