words: Bill, photos: Sewickley Cars via Bring A Trailer
The last time we feature an Auto Union 1000SP Coupé as a Find of the Day, it was located overseas and was a Thunderbird-esque red with a white top. This one is much closer and is silver with white leather. How close? Despite wearing Ontario tags, it’s located in Pittsburgh, PA.
Here’s the ad:
This 1960 Auto Union 1000 Sp coupe is one of approximately 5,000 examples produced between 1958 and 1965, and it is powered by a 981cc two-stroke inline-three paired with a column-shifted four-speed manual transmission. Finished in silver over a gray and white leather interior, the car reportedly was acquired 13 years ago by the current owner’s late father—an Audi dealer—after being traded in on a new Audi A6. It was reportedly put into dry storage until recently removed and serviced with a new battery, an oil change, and a fuel-system flush. The car is said to run and drive but requires brake and suspension work to be roadworthy. This Auto Union is now offered on behalf of the current owner by the selling dealer with manufacturer’s literature and a clean Pennsylvania title.
The 1000 Sp coupe body was built by Karrosserie Baur in Stuttgart, Germany with styling reportedly modeled after the Ford Thunderbird. This example is finished in silver, and the seller states that body and paint work were likely performed under previous ownership. Various chips, scratches, and stains are noted around the body.
Factory 15″ wheels wear polished hubcaps and are wrapped in Michelin XZX tires in size 165R. The seller states that the leaf spring that attaches to the rear axle on the passenger side is broken, and the braking system has no pressure.
The two-tone leather interior is accompanied by a matching padded dashboard and contrasting carpets. Features include folding front seats, woodgrain trim, a dash-mounted rearview mirror, an AM radio, and climate controls.
Instrumentation includes a 160-km/h speedometer, a tachometer, an analog clock, and gauges for fuel level and coolant temperature. Approximately 82k kilometers (~51k miles) are shown on the five-digit odometer; true mileage is unknown.
The two-stroke 981cc triple features a Solex downdraft carburetor and is mounted longitudinally above the front wheels with a radiator located between the engine and the firewall. The front wheels are driven through a column-shifted four-speed manual gearbox with a freewheel to prevent oil starvation during periods of coasting. The seller states that the six-volt battery was replaced in February 2020, when an oil change was also performed and the fuel system was cleaned.
Corrosion is noted on the underside, and additional photos of the underbody, suspension, and exhaust are viewable below.
The owner’s manual is included in the sale along with other literature and a lug wrench.
There’s show that happens every May in Carlisle, PA called the Carlisle Import & Performance Nationals. It’s a big show for enthusiasts of older (& newer) Audi vehicles. It’s not uncommon to see a row of ur quattros next to a new R8. We’ve been attending this show for years as it happens practically in our backyard and I cannot remember seeing an Auto Union 1000SP there though my mind is slipping a bit. If you bought this, you could just cruise a couple of hours east and show it at Carlisle (ed. note- it is unsure at this time if the show will be occurring in May).
This Auto Union is available on Bring A Trailer but if you’re interested, you’d better hurry…there’s only ~ 6 hours left. You can find the ad and many photos HERE.
