Every now and again, you get thrown a curveball that reveals you don’t know nearly as much as you thought you did. I consider myself fairly knowledgeable on European makes and models, but this unusual Audi/DKW model referred to the seller as a “Mean Sonara GT” which is seemingly a body kit made for a vintage Audi model by a company called Mean/Apal in Belgium. There cannot be made of these left; find this German oddball listed for €29,900 here on Suchen.mobile.de.
Now, when we hear “body kit”, it tends to conjure up images of Fast and the Furious with huge front air dams and even bigger rear wings. However, in looking at this Audi-based creation, it’s clear the the “kit” featured extensive revisions to whatever model it originally was, and I would welcome your guesses as to which model it was born as. My only guess is – and I believe it’s wrong – is the DKW Auto Union 1000 Spezial 2. That pivoting front end is quite exotic, and it also features a removable targa panel.
The interior leaves no illusion as to the experience this model was attempting to give occupants, with bucket seats that look like they were lifted straight out of a Porsche 356 Speedster. But while we’re distracted by the unusual “body kit” and racy cockpit, let’s also not gloss over how incredibly mint this custom coupe remains. That’s not easy to do, especially with a car that is almost certainly loaded with obsolete parts, so whoever the presumably long-term caretaker was clearly loved this custom Audi.
The listing notes that the engine is a DKW F 102 with approximately 75 horsepower, paired with a “….special gearbox with long final ratio, custom-made” that helps this modified Audi reach a top speed of 180 km/h. The seller further claims it is “…very fast”, which likely has to do with a low curb weight and whatever the “….Mantzel tuning” mentioned in the listing consisted of. This is clearly an item for the Audi collector who has everything, and I doubt we’ll see another one any time soon.
Even in the Auto Union infancy they sure liked hanging the engine past the front axle. Would definitely make this an interesting drive on a track.
This one off DKW special is based on a 1964 DKW F12 Convertible chassis. The DKW Junior 750 cc was upped to F12 specs in ’64 with 889 cc 44 bhp triple with a top speed of 80 mph.
This chassis is powered by a 1175cc 75 bhp triple seemingly way out front rather than tucked inside the original DKW bodywork because it’s wearing Apal Méan Sonora fiberglass with modified front body panel. Not attractive, but…quick? Possibly.
The Apal Méan Sonora was designed with a space frame that accepted a variety of engines with unique Apal Méan Sonora suspension all round for the Mini powered Méan. An impressive machine if not as attractive as “Porsche like” VW based Apal coupes.
Maximum Mini blog with tale of the Mini powers Méan Sonora:
https://maximummini.blogspot.com/2011/12/tale-of-mini-powered-mean-sonora-1.html
The seats would require a periscope for the driver to see anything ahead.
This oddball DKW special is based on the ’64 F12 roadster. As the writer notes the engine is a 1175cc 75 bhp unit. Likely the only front wheel drive Méan Sonora.
Rear wheel drive was standard for the Alpa Mean Sonora with a space frame suitable for a variety of engines. Automobile-catalog dot com has specs on the 1966 – 1972 Méan Sonora 1000 4 cyl, 1500 4 cyl, & 2000 V6 models.
The ads referred to this as, “One Mean Sonora Of A B@?$& GT”…
Sheesh, what a terrible design. Everything screams homebuilt and compromise. Go to the website and check out the huge gas cap bolted to the back of the car and the complicated looking side windows. Yuck…
To each one’s own. I like it and think it’s pretty neat looking.
Let me rephrase that. When I look up Mean Sonora GT I like that a lot. This one looks like someone added a cowcatcher scoop on it.
Ugliest front end since the Edsel!
For U.S.-based prospects, the Auto Union F12 convertible was sold here through the Studebaker/Mercedes-Benz distribution network. The use of the Audi brand name may be misleading here as the brand was not revived until 1965.
Strange brew…know Apal but not this. Meintz was THE Auto Union/DKW tuner who got very good hp from this engine. He was involved with Ginetta to produce DKW engine version of Ginetta G4, better idea than this?Same bssic engine in Saab 2 strokes, I believe.
The angular look of this car is 1970s, by which time its DKW architecture was out of date. So a lot of effort went into something nobody would want.
Those VW fender signals are a deal breaker.
I wish I could “unsee” this. Yikes.
A little eyewash and a heckuva RT16TS powered yellow Méan Sonora life affirming story.
Search – For sale; Ultra rare 1961 Apal Coupe, Made in Belgium! Don’t need full title. It’s at blog.bbt4vw dot com with lovely photos of VW based Porsche like Apal Coupe chassis # 3939591 inside and out.
Petrolicious – “I bet you haven’t heard of a Méan Sonora Before” serves up living life to its fullest of Gerard, builder of a Yellow Méan Sonora in 1972, purchased for his 20th birthday, still around in 1974 when he married the brunette with long hair and smiling eyes. Later sold.
Parents didn’t allow racing at 20 – he was expected to take over family garage. When the duo became garage owners he built spectacular cars on his own even winning the ice race in France, the 24 Herure de Chamonix beating the Mitsubishi factory team.
Fast forward to building a new Méan Sonora which he will race to celebrate his 70th birthday in the La Chataigne event in Burgundy…
Definitely a “different look” and not one I would want to handle, and those seats … what the heck ??