Being the first Auto Union model to see production after WWII, the Schnellaster (Rapid Transporter) van was way ahead of its time. With a transversely mounted front engine, front-wheel-drive, short sloping hood, a flat floor with flexible seating configurations, this van was truly the precursor to the modern compact minivan. However it was anything but rapid when equipped with either a two-stroke 2 cylinder engine of 20 horsepower, or a 3-cylinder engine of 32 horses from 1955 on. Production ran from 1949-62. (Photo credit: Sean Connor)