Much has been written about the difficult handling characteristics of this car but its tremendous acceleration was undeniable. A driver could induce wheelspin at 150 mph! The initial list of drivers was headed by Hans Stuck. The engine for 1936 had grown to the full 6 liters and was now producing 520 bhp. In the hands Stuck, Varzi and especially new sensation Bernd Rosemeyer the Auto Union Type C dominated the racing world winning 6 of 12 races and Rosemeyer was crowned European Champion.

The race car that Porsche designed was based on a mid-engined layout similar to the famous 1923 Benz Tropfenwagen. This unique car was built under the direction of Max Wagner who was now at Daimler-Benz and was raced by his current business partner, Adolf Rosenberger. The engine for this new car would be the V-16 engine that he had started designing earlier.

It was designed to 6 liter specifications but would start at 4,360cc and 295 bhp. It had two cylinder blocks inclined at an angle of 45 degrees with a single overhead camshaft to operate the 32 valves. The engine was designed to provide optimum torque at low engine speeds. The suspension would be all independent but unlike the Mercedes would use half-axles and torsion bars at the front while at the rear it used wishbones and a transverse leaf spring.

The fuel tank was located in the center of the car directly behind the drive who would be placed well towards the front. The chassis tubes were initially used as water carriers from the radiator to the engine but often sprung small leaks. Additional work needed to be done on the cars behavior during cornering. Accelerating out of a corner would cause the inside rear wheel to spin furiously.

Surprisingly their main competition was the Ferrari-Alfa Romeo team as Mercedes had a dreadful season. After the A.I.A.C.R. decided to delay the new 3-Liter formula for another year. Auto Union which ran on a much smaller budget than Mercedes modified their Type C to contest another year.

Mercedes on the other hand replace their W25 with their new W125, a much improved car that prove the difference bringing Caracciola the European Championship for that year. Though Rosemeyer had won an equal four races, three of the four rounds counting for the championship went to the veteran.

Tags: audi, auto union, vintage