The project was initiated following the competitive success of the DKW 3=6 in European touring car racing and rallying during 1954 and 1955. Racing drivers Günther Ahrens and Albrecht W. Mantzel sought to develop a dedicated sporty body for the 3=6 chassis. They designed a record-breaking silhouette featuring an extremely lightweight plastic body.
Production of the bodywork was initially handled by Dannenhauer & Stauss in Stuttgart, Germany. Over the course of the car's production life, the assembly of complete vehicles moved between several firms: first at Dannenhauer & Stauss, then by Massholder in Heidelberg, and finally by the company Robert Schenk in Stuttgart.
The Monza was built upon the compact chassis of the DKW 3=6, measuring 1.61 metres (63 in) wide and 1.35 metres (53 in) high. Its primary technical advantage was its glass-fiber reinforced polyester coupe body. This construction resulted in a total weight of approximately 780 kilograms (1,720 lb), which was 115 kilograms (254 lb) lighter than the standard 3=6 limousine.
The aerodynamic profile of the Monza, characterized by a low profile and rounded frontal area, significantly reduced air resistance compared to the standard production models. While the 900cc three-cylinder engine remained the same as the sedan, the Monza's reduced weight and improved drag coefficient allowed it to reach a top speed of 140 km/h (87 mph) and accelerate from 0–100 km/h in 20 seconds—an 11-second improvement over the 3=6 sedan.
In December 1956, a team composed of two German and two Swiss drivers conducted an endurance test at the Monza race track in Italy. By driving the car in alternating shifts, the team maintained an average speed of 140 km/h (87 mph) to establish five international world records. This performance solidified the car's reputation and provided the basis for its "Monza" designation.
Fritz Wenk was forced to discontinue production of the Monza in 1958. The cessation was triggered by the 1957 launch of the Auto Union 1000 Sp. Following the release of this new model, Auto Union refused to provide additional new chassis to Wenk, effectively ending the Monza's production run.
The exact number of DKW Monzas produced remains a subject of conflicting reports, as no accurate centralized record was maintained by the various companies involved in its manufacture. The presence of used vehicles converted at the factory and kits sold to the public further complicates the production history.
However, a 2022 analysis of 61 known chassis numbers suggests that total production was likely limited to 75 vehicles, with a margin of error of plus or minus two. As of current records, 50 of these vehicles are known to exist worldwide.
The Monza utilized the DKW "3=6" engine configuration, a three-cylinder two-stroke power plant. The "3=6" name derived from the engine's operation; because the two-stroke cycle produces a power stroke with every rotation of the crankshaft—unlike a four-stroke engine which requires two rotations—DKW engineers marketed the three-cylinder unit as being equivalent to a six-cylinder machine. The engine displaced 900cc and produced 40 hp (30 kW).