This photo was taken in Glenboro, Manitoba approximately 1963. The late Gerry McLeod owned the 1000s, but later he purchased a SAAB Monte Carlo. I had met Gerry and his family when we lived in Glenboro during the mid-50's. He had the job of taking our National Film Board films from town to town to show to various audiences. I understand the the NFB may have made a film which kind of followed the lives of folks like Gerry McLeod.

I purchased the 1000sp from a Canadian Air Force officer who had served in Germany and brought the car home to Winnipeg with him.

At the time I purchased this car, there was only one other 1000sp in Winnipeg, owned by Dr Phil Smyth and later purchased by Gerry Guse. His car was white over blue, with red leather interior.

I have heard that the Smyth/Guse car is now owned by a car collector in Manitoba who may also own a Horsch or Wanderer.

Dr. Smyth had for many years raced an old DKW sedan which he brought with him when he moved from Ireland to Canada. He later took the engine and transmission and highly modified the engine up to Formula II specs. If nothing else, it was famous for the noise!

My first DKW was an older maroon coloured sedan. Ugly as sin to look at! Complete with suicide front doors. But it did prepare me for the 1000sp. Without the help of the late Peter Wiens, a mechanic from Germany and one of his great assistants, I doubt that this car would have had many years on the road!

I spotted Gerry Guse's 1000sp parked in downtown Winnipeg so I pulled up behind his car and got a photo of them both together. I imagine Gerry and his lovely wife Karen may have been at the theater across the street from where this picture was taken in downtown Winnipeg.

I've found several interesting sites on the Web about DKW's and Auto Union 1000sp. Here a couple:

Dennis Adams
Winnipeg, Manitoba

dra 'at' mts 'dot' net

Updated: June, 2005