Auto Union Type C at Goodwood FOS 2016

Throwback Thursday - a replica Auto Union Type C chassis 14R @fosgoodwood 2016 – powered by a 6 Litre supercharged V16 developing 520bhp / 195mph top speed from 1936. The Auto Union Type C was the most successful model of the Auto Union Silver Arrows before the Second World War.

In 1936 Bernd Rosemeyer won the German, Swiss and Italian GP’s on his way to becoming European Champion. Hans Stuck was runner up making it a great 1-2 for Audi beating the might of Mercedes Benz. Rosemeyer was almost unbeatable in that racing season. Sadly, he lost his life during a record attempt with a Type C Streamliner on an autobahn in 1938.

As well as racing in GP’s, the heavy V16 made the car ideal for the long, tortuous European hillclimb courses. The car pictured here is running with double rear wheels which were fitted for hillclimbs to provide extra traction.

In 1936, Hans Stuck came to the UK and set FTD 45.2s at Shelsley Walsh hillclimb in a Type C on a wet day. On the 16th July 2016, Hans Stuck’s son, ex F1 racer of the 70’s and 1990 DTM Champion, Hans-Joachim Stuck, returned to Shelsley and replicated the run that his father had made 80 years earlier.

The Type C was designed by Ferdinand Porsche. It was revolutionary – mid engined, aluminium bodywork over a tubular frame. This layout would ultimately become the norm for race car design, but was not fully appreciated until the 60’s.

The car was notoriously difficult to drive, attributed to the front and rear suspension which was unpredictable inducing extreme over-steer, or “tail-hapiness”. Only Rosemeyer, and to a lesser extent Hans Stuck, could master the car and achieve wins.

Only 1 Type C survived and was discovered in poor condition, missing several key components and without a body. However, experts were able to build up a complete car from the surviving chassis. From the expertise gained, further replica’s were then produced for Audi.

The car here is being driven by Frank Biela. He enjoyed a great racing career – Sebring 12 Hours 4 wins; Le Mans 24 Hours 5 wins; 1996 BTTC Champion; 1991 DTM Champion; 1993 French Touring Car Champion.

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