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With noisy engines, suicide doors and innovative ideas, DKW Vemag marked an era. The history of DKW Vemag in Brazil involves pioneering, boldness and an end that surprised even the most loyal fans.
The history of DKW Vemag in Brazil begins at a time when Brazil was still in its infancy in the automotive sector. It was in the Ipiranga neighborhood of São Paulo that Studebaker do Brasil emerged in 1945, responsible for assemble disassembled imported vehicles. But it was only in 1952, after the merger with the company Elite, that Vemag – Veículos e Máquinas Agrícolas SA was officially born. Initially, the new company was dedicated to the assembly of trucks and tractors.
It was only in 1956, during the government of Juscelino Kubitschek and the incentives of GEIA (Automotive Industry Executive Group), that Vemag decided to invest in the production of passenger cars. And it did so in a bold way: by establishing a partnership with the German company DKW to produce its vehicles under license. From that moment on, DKW Vemag was officially born, a name that would become iconic among Brazilian enthusiasts.
The line of models that conquered (and intrigued) Brazilians
The first truly national car was made by DKW Vemag. On November 19, 1956, the Universal was launched, the first station wagon manufactured in Brazil. With rounded lines, circular headlights, doors that opened backwards (the famous “suicide doors”) and a simple but functional finish, it was practical and exhibited a unique charm.
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Next came the Candango jeep, launched in 1958. With four-wheel drive, robust attack angles and brave off-road behavior, it was the darling of adventurers although it had a short life, being discontinued in 1963.
Then came the Belcar sedan, also in 1958, with a more urban look and seating for six people. It was comfortable, spacious and maintained the brand's signature: three-cylinder, two-stroke engine and column-shift transmission. In 1964, refinement came with the 1000 series: improvements in the finish, conventionally opening doors and an upholstered dashboard.
It is impossible to talk about the history of DKW Vemag in Brazil without mentioning the elegant Fissore (1964), the sporty GT Malzoni (1965) and the daring Carcará, developed exclusively to break the national speed record. On June 29, 1966, it reached 212,9 km/h on a straight in Barra da Tijuca, an unprecedented feat for a national vehicle at the time.
The height of innovation with the two-stroke engine and its peculiarities
The beating heart of DKW Vemag was under the hood. Its vehicles used a three-cylinder, two-stroke engine, with solutions that were well ahead of their time and others that caused headaches. One example of this was the need to manually mix two-stroke oil with gasoline at each refueling, which generated a lot of smoke and, often, an unbalanced mixture.
The freewheel system, activated by a lever on the dashboard, allowed the car to continue moving as if it were in neutral, even with a gear engaged, which compromised the engine brake, but promised economy and smoothness. It was curious, different and very “à la DKW”.
The pinnacle of engineering came with the Lubrimat system, introduced in 1964 on the Fissore, which automated the mixing of oil and gasoline, making life easier for the driver and reducing smoke emissions. And, despite all the challenges, these engines were durable and delivered honest performance for the time.
The end of DKW Vemag in Brazil: Volkswagen's silent coup
Everything was going relatively well until, in 1965, news from Germany would change the course of DKW Vemag's history in Brazil. Volkswagen acquired control of Auto Union, DKW's parent company, and thus began to determine the direction of production in Brazil. In 1967, Volkswagen do Brasil purchased Vemag.
And that's when the end began. DKW models had already been suffering from falling sales and fierce competition from new cars with more modern and economical engines. VW, interested in expanding its line with the Beetle and its variations, did not give the DKW models room to evolve. Little by little, production was interrupted, until, at the end of 1967, the DKW brand disappeared from Brazilian assembly lines.
It was an unceremonious farewell, but not without importance. DKW Vemag was a pioneer in many aspects and left a technical and historical legacy that is hard to ignore. Its vehicles are still circulated at antique car shows and arouse the curiosity of those who see a noisy engine, releasing blue smoke, with a charm that has lasted for decades.
A noisy, smoky, but unforgettable legacy
Even though the end was discreet, the history of DKW Vemag in Brazil remains alive in the memory of classic car enthusiasts. Your models innovated in design, in technology and were the first to pave the way for the national automobile industry.
With its simple but ingenious engines and peculiar designs, DKW Vemag showed that Brazil could indeed manufacture cars. And more than that: that these cars could be unique, different and striking. The brand is gone, but the unmistakable sound of its two-stroke engine still echoes in the streets of those who preserve this special part of the history of Brazilian motorsports.
Source: Automotive relic
To reach 212 km/h, what would be the power of this engine?
Well told story, despite some mistakes due to lack of knowledge.
It happens a lot, with a car that was discontinued 58 years ago.
Nice cart…
I have three.
This factory was on Vemag Street.
Today, the Tamanduatei subway station is located on this land.
But before the subway it was the logistics center of Di Cico Construction Materials!