Jalopnik: auto union

Audi Resurrects Auto Union Type D Racer For Goodwood, Pink Floyd's Mason Behind Wheel

Mark Arnold — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 13:30:00 EDT

At next month's Goodwood Festival of Speed, Audi plans to unveil their authentic reconstruction of a 1939 Auto Union Type D Dual Compressor. The single-seat roadster, a replica of the Grand Prix racer driven by the likes of Tazio Nuvolari and H.P. Müller, will be driven by none other than Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason. Mason'll have to tame the 420 HP V12, the mother-loving engine at the atom heart of the Type D, as it spins those skinny tires up the hill at Goodwood. Luckily, Mason isn't new to priceless classic race cars.

Pink Floyd's big drummer boy owns quite a few cars. OK, that's an understatement. Mason reportedly owns around 40 with "25-30" being what you'd call "serious." He's owned or still owns a Type 35 Bugatti, D-type Jaguar, Maserati 250F, Ferrari 250GTO, just to name a few. So we're pretty sure he'll feel comfortable handling the '39 replica.

Sure, he's a Brit driving a replica of an original Auto Union racer — a car engineered by Ferdinand Porsche, and commissioned by Adolf Hitler and the government of Nazi Germany. See, Nazis and Grand Prix Racing go way back. [via Carscoop, Times Online]

Auto Union Type C

Ben Wojdyla — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 12:00:00 EDT

The LeMans-dominating Audi R10 is an incomparable engineering spectacle. Honed from the finest materials and tested by banks of supercomputers before the first part was even crafted, the LeMans Prototype car is only now being challenged three years after its birth by an improved Porsche RS Spyder. The irony here is though these two teams battle for the same prize, they share the same grandfather, Ferdinand Porsche. Today we examine the R10's oldest and most revolutionary ancestor: the Auto Union Type C.

To tell the story of the Type C, you have to start at the Great Depression. As they were everywhere, the period was hard for Germany, and though the engineering talent of Ferdinand Porsche was well know at the time, the commissions for automobiles had simply dried up. Not one to have his ambitions squelched, Porsche joined with a group of his former associates including Adolf Rosenberger and Karl Rabe to form the Hochleistungs Motor GmbH (High Efficiency Engines company). At this point, development work on a Grand Prix-competitive engine began in earnest without a contract.

In parallel, the companies of Audi, DKW, Horch and Wanderer formed Auto Union in an effort to ride out the storm of the depression by way of leveraged finances and increased purchasing power. As all good, freshly minted European auto makers in the 30's must do, a race car was commissioned, and this one went through Porsche, who had connections to Auto Union through Wanderer. The cash to do the development is what gives these cars a special, perhaps infamous place in history. Adolf Hitler, the newly appointed Chancellor of Germany, had commissioned Mercedes Benz to build a car to dominate racing and had provided 500,000 Reichmarks to do it. After convincing Hitler of the benefit of two entries from Germany, the chancellor split the pot and 250k RM went to each team.

At the time, the front engine, rear-driver layout was considered the state of the art, but flush with funds, Porsche's team set to work bringing the drawings of a low, mid-engined, wundercar to life — and the design would be called the Auto Union Type C. By placing the engine at the rear, fuel tank in the center, and the driver in the front, concessions for the drive shaft and transmission tunnel were no longer necessary. And oh, that engine, a twin-block, 6 liter, 45 degree bank, 32 valve V16, was force fed air through a Roots supercharger and developed 520 HP in its final form. With the uneven 40/60 front to rear weight distribution and the massive power available, the car tended to oversteer and it was difficult for drivers used to a rear seating position to determine the limits of adhesion. Before the advent of the ZF limited slip differential, the car was known to produce wheel spin at speeds as high as 150 MPH.

The front and rear suspensions were considered state of the art at the time. The driver sat over a split axle and torsion bar setup in the front while the rear was managed with a double wishbone and transverse leaf spring suspension. The body stretched over this mechanical symphony was carefully crafted in the German Institute for Aerodynamics and provided both efficient cooling and enviable aerodynamic effect. When completely developed, the 1,618 lb. car was capable of 211 MPH flat out.

Drivers of this infamous car read like a who's who of early Grand Prix driving — Hans Stuck, Ernst von Delius, Achille Varzi and of course Bernt Rosemeyer. It was Rosemeyer who mastered the chassis and drove these cars into legend, securing six victories of twelve races in the 1936 season. The wins lead to Auto Union securing the builders title, and Rosemeyer being awarded the European Champion title. Over the next two years he would win another eight races outright and lose to Mercedes in 1938 only after they tied in race wins, but lost in laps led to the newly developed W125.

The Auto Union Type C, as well its competitor the Mercedes Benz W125, represent a pinnacle of engineering achievement not seen again until the turbocharged racers of the 1980s.The Type C was the exact car that started the racing revolution, the shift which was necessary to go faster and lighter. The move to mid engine racing was ultimately inevitable, but the confluence of history, engineering passion, staggering performance, and intimidating design captures the imagination. It also demands a place in the Jalopnik Fantasy Garage.

Sources: Classics, Wikipedia, DDavid.com, The Supercars, Youtube

Project Car Hell: Auto Union 1000 or Shorty Corvair Van?

Murilee Martin — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 17:15:00 EDT

In a rare upset, a French car actually lost a Choose Your Eternity challenge! Not only that, front-wheel-drive triumphed over a rear-engined machine. Yes, the Fiat 128 Rally beat the Simca 1000GL in our last Project Car Hell! Today we're going to look at a pair of vehicles that do interesting things with the concept of scale: a tiny German Thunderbird or a huge Seattle Hot Wheels car.

Anyone who doesn't like the idea of a 50-year-old front-wheel-drive German car that looks like a Thunderbird and gets its motive power from a three-cylinder two-stroker... well, you've come to the wrong website! And since the rest of you presumably want to walk the walk in addition to talking the talk, we've got just the project to fill that empty space in your garage and create an even emptier space in your wallet: this 1958 Auto Union 1000 SP, which is currently sitting at a nice friendly sub-$2500 price, with no reserve. This is one of the most complete 1000 SPs you're going to find in North America, but as the seller says: "There are likely many missing parts." But haven't you always wanted to take a parts-shopping trip to Germany? Travel tip: airport security personnel frown on brake drum and carburetors in your carry-on baggage. The engine doesn't run (of course), and there's rust, and the upholstery has "exploded" from sun damage, so you'll never run out of things to work on! Thanks to MadHungarian for the tip!

It's tough to out-cool an Auto Union, but a Corvair van with a 70s custom job might do the trick... especially if it's a chopped, shortened Corvair van like this one from 1963. And the price- why, it was only $366.01 at the time of this writing, and that's with no reserve! It's hard to tell from the photos, but this thing may be designed for the driver's head to protrude through the sunroof, Rat Fink style (which means it needs a 5' long gearshift lever for the full effect). Now, the same busybodies who bleat about games of Midnight Drunken Lawn Darts being unsafe will no doubt point their bony puritanical forefingers at this van and tell you that a vehicle with super-short wheelbase and a six-cylinder engine in the back is a deathtrap. Pay them no mind- what this van needs is more power, preferably courtesy of an engine that will make Corvair purists hate you even more than they hate R***h N***r! How about the hairest, most hyperboosted Subaru six possible? Before you can get to that point, however, you'll need to deal with the rust. Lots of rust. Then you'll need to get custom glass made, because it seems to lack a windshield and (probably) door glass. And, of course, you'll need to get the most bongtastic 70s black-light interior money can buy, for reasons too obvious to get into here.

Audi Re-Releases Auto Union Type C As Pedal Car

Ray Wert — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 10:45:00 EDT

The original Auto Union Type C was a V16-powered Grand Prix car with 520 HP. This new Audi-built Auto Union Type C replica announced today will be powered by two feet and may get you the power of about half of a horse depending on how fast your little legs can move. The 1:2 replica of the Auto Union Silver Arrow pedal car, first revealed as a prototype at last year's Paris Motor Show, has now been approved for a collectors run of just 999 foot-powered units. The 1:2 size means it's perfectly large enough to accommodate "budding racing drivers up to 1.35 metres tall." No word yet on pricing, but contact Audi USA to find out more details not included in the full press release below the jump.

Auto Union Type C pedal car Paying homage to the bygone era of motor racing
* Audi brings out the Type C again as a pedal car
* Limited-edition collector's item with only 999 cars built
* Spearheads quattro GmbH's line of lifestyle articles

A body made from aluminium, handcrafted leather trim and an extraordinary design - the vehicle sends Hubert Waltl, Head of Audi Toolmaking, into a rapture the instant he lays eyes on it: "This car is something really special." And, indeed, the car in front of him is no ordinary car - it's the Auto Union Type C pedal car which AUDI AG has brought onto the market as an absolute first. No other car manufacturer offers a pedal car built so elaborately and to such a high standard.

How did Audi stumble upon this idea? "We needed a highlight for our collection which conveys the brand message and, at the same time, is spectacular enough to find buyers," says Katharina Wicker, Head of Audi design - Lifestyle Articles. And this was how the idea came about to design a pedal car that mirrors the company's heritage at first sight. The Type C Grand Prix racing car provided the ideal blueprint for doing this. The Auto Union Silver Arrow dominated the world of motor racing in 1936, racking up a total of ten Grand Prix victories. Furthermore, the Type C is one of the best-selling heritage models in the range of Audi miniatures. The pedal car will therefore be an exhibition piece for "grown-up" fans too.

The car's execution called for a great deal of technical know-how and creativity. For a start, how large should the pedal car be made? How close should it keep to the original in order to nevertheless demonstrate the quality and workmanship of a true Audi? Which materials are best suited to underlining the Audi brand values of sophistication, progressiveness and sportiness? "The greatest challenge of all was transposing a historical model to a pedal car for children whilst remaining as faithful as possible to the original," reveals Achim Badstübner, director of the Munich design studio that created the first draft designs. Those responsible for the project eventually decided to build the pedal car on a scale of 1:2 to make it large enough to accommodate budding racing drivers up to 1.35 metres tall.

The technical drawings originated in Audi's own tool shop. And in true keeping with the premise "designed by Audi, produced by Audi", special tools and jigs were purpose-designed for the pedal car's manufacture in the Audi tool shop too. The pedal car is made up of over 900 individual parts. It features a hydraulic dual-disc brake and its speed is controlled via the seven-speed hub gear with back-pedalling brake function. Further technical highlights include the aluminium space frame and the body made from aluminium panelling which, just like on the full-size Audi models, symbolise the brand's expertise in the field of lightweight design. The seats, framing and steering wheel have been upholstered in leather by a bag-maker, as in the Audi TT, while the elegant spoke wheels have been custom-made. And because this pedal car seeks to replicate many different aspects of the racing car on which it is modelled, the steering wheel can be removed to make getting in and out easier, just as on the original.

The prototype of the pedal car was unveiled to the public for the first time at the Paris Motor Show in autumn 2006. Visitors to the show were instantly enthralled. "Lots of people even wanted to buy the exhibition model there and then!" recalls Katharina Wicker.

This pedal car, which is limited to a run of 999 models and is far more than just an exclusive collector's item, was an absolute joy to work on for all involved in the project. "It took me straight back to my childhood days. And I wasn't the only one to be seized by that play instinct again," says a delighted Hubert Waltl, Head of Audi Toolmaking. And Achim Badstübner is equally thrilled about the project's success: "Everyone put their heart and soul into this pedal car. And that is something we are all very proud of."

The pedal car can be ordered from the Audi importer for the specific country, who will also be able to provide details regarding the respective price.

DKW do Brasil!

Davey G. Johnson — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 19:00:00 EDT

From 1957 to 1967, Vemag produced DKW cars in Brazil. In racing trim, they made awesome two-stroke noise, much like contemporary Saabs. Which, of course, makes sense, since the two-cycle Saab motors were based on a DKW design. Big noise, low speeds. Auto Union heritage! We so need one of these. And we'll totally wear a fruit hat with lederhosen while driving it.

It's the DKW F800!

Davey G. Johnson — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 20:45:00 EST

Predecessor to the modern minivan, the DKW F800 was woefully underpowered (20hp! Upgraded through the addition of another cylinder to 32!), featured a flat load-floor due to its front-drive configuration, and was built from 1949 to 1962. We'll take ours mid-engined and RWD'd, thanks. An Audi R8 drivetrain seems as if it would do the trick (after all, one must keep with the Auto Union theme now, mustn't one?) Yes, that might be the ultimate sleeper death-hoon van to beat all sleeper death-hoon vans. It just might. – Davey G. Johnson

DKW [Wikipedia]

Related:
The Audi Munga: You Just Gotta Have One [Internal]

Holy Crap! Auto Union Type D Going on the Block!

Davey G. Johnson — Sat, 02 Dec 2006 23:15:00 EST

Excuse us for a second while we wipe the drool from our chin. And our chest. And our toes. Unsavory as it might be, we are literally swimming in a sea of saliva at the moment, and here's why. In the 1990s, this Auto Union was discovered in pieces in the former Soviet Union, having been taken back to the Rodina after the war to be studied in the hopes that the precision of German racecar technology could somehow advance The State's auto industry. It didn't work. We got the Lada instead.

It's since been reassembled and restored, and now Christie's is putting it up for bid. We fantasize about buying the car, getting a vintage racing suit and a red metalflake open-face helmet with "Bruce" emblazoned on it, and tearing through New Braunfels, Texas and on up to Gruene while all the while screaming, "ALUMINUM UND SHTEEL, LEUTE! ALUMINUM UND SHTEEL!" And then going out like Bernd Rosemeyer, only, you know, with more Texas State Troopers. – Davey G. Johnson

Hitler's racing car to set record? [Ananova via Autoblog]

The Auto Union Type D in NYC

Mike Spinelli — Wed, 11 Oct 2006 12:33:03 EDT

Audi feted its new Park Avenue forum this morning, showing off the R8 for the first time on US soil, as it paraded alongside the R10 TDI LeMans diesel racer. As a nod to heritage, Audi also rolled out the granddaddy of them all, the ~~1936~~ 1938 Auto Union Type C D "Silver Arrow," whose roaring ~~V16~~ V12 penetrated the post-rush lull on Manhattan's most exclusive street. Just imagine the sound of an entire field of these things lined up on the N rburgring, and try to forget who was most likely seated in the VIP section. [UPDATE: Behind the wheel is R10 TDI racer Emmanuel Pirro. [UPDATE 2: It's actually a 1938 Auto Union Type D Silver Arrow. Thanks to Benztown for the double-check tip.]