1937 Auto Union Type-C V16

‘Replica’ is too often considered a dirty word, but it isn’t when it comes to the beautifully engineered masterpieces created by Dick Crosthwaite and John Gardiner. Ecclestone’s Auto Union is an example, evoking the fabled era of the Nazi-supported Silver Arrows grand prix behemoths of the 1930s. Uncomfortable as it might seem when you step back and think about it, the sinister connection to the most devastating 20th century manifestation of humanity’s worst traits hasn’t dimmed our fascination in these awe-inspiring technical wonders. The sturm und drang sensual barrage – sight, sound, smell – on the rare occasions when collections of 1930s Mercedes and Auto Unions have run together at Goodwood transcend the awkward associations of what, in isolation from what the horrors they ultimately represented, was an astonishing era for motor racing – as our edited period account of the their first visit to Donington Park in 1937 attests.

The Germans’ Grand Prix at Donington

Bernd Rosemeyer wins for Auto-Union at 82.86mph; Mercedes-Benz fill second and third places, Lang and Seaman retire

History was made at Donington on October 2nd. A record crowd, which looked like part of that on Epsom Downs for Derby Day, which the first reports give as 38,000 to 40,000 strong, lined the course to watch the Mercedes-Benz and Auto Union teams battle for the first time in this country – and battle they most certainly did, amid a continuous high-pitched howl of sound and the pungent smell of ‘boot-polish’ dope.

Definitely these German teams race each other, fight every inch of the way, the drivers taking heavy medicine. To suggest that they have got their ears to such a pitch of efficiency that racing becomes a mere pageant, a demonstration, is fallacious. Finality is never reached in motor racing and despite the remarkable thoroughness of German preparation each new race brings its own problems. The Donington Grand Prix found weaknesses in the suspension of Lang’s Mercedes and sorely tried the tyres.

As the mist lifted and gave way to brilliant sunshine we saw a moving sight at our premier road-racing circuit. Cars filled every park until finally they were left in the roads outside while their occupants hurried to the course. Programmes sold out and still the crowds poured in. The Auto Unions came round to the pits early, Hasse doing a few preliminary laps. Then the Mercedes team arrived in formation, led by a Lagonda, whose driver gave a Hitler salute before withdrawing.

Quickly the morning passed and at last we had the rather ‘throaty’ spectacle of the two crack German teams drawn up to do battle on British soil. Crowds swarmed, cameras clicked incessantly and the onlookers outside pressed forward to catch every move of the cars and their attendants.

Early laps

The leading cars were setting the astonishing lap speed of approximately 84mph, reaching 170 or so down to Melbourne Corner and leaping into the air at the crest of the sharp rise before the pits. Braking was commenced before the bump on the slope down to Melbourne. Muller, in particular, was driving sensationally in his Auto Union and as Rosemeyer braked hard for Red Gate the whole car juddered furiously, steering column and wheel shaking, and the engine side panels flexing like so much aeroplane fabric! After five laps Lang led at 82.6mph, 7.2sec ahead of Brauchitsch, who was 8.4sec in front of Rosemeyer’s Auto Union, the rear-engined car having passed Caracciola on the previous lap. At Red Gate the German cars would slide very slightly, hesitate as the spinning rear wheels got a grip, then accelerate with smoking tyres and a shattering howl and crash of sound into the wood. Down Holly Wood Hill they slid furiously, cutting the very verges of the grass back from the road-surface.

The finish

The British crowd actually cheered Rosemeyer as he was flagged, but the German National Anthem was not played as is the usual custom, and they clapped the next five finishers. Rosemeyer limped badly, was very sore, and his overalls, soaked in perspiration from head to foot, had to be taped up at the seat before he could meet Mrs Shields and get his bouquet. According to the dailies, he had to toast his victory in lemonade, as the champagne was lost – though many spectators would gladly have handed him their all.

A very disquieting noise was heard as Muller’s Auto Union passed away from the pit. It was only the undershield which had been hit by a stone, and eventually had to be cut away with shears. He and Brauchitsch shook hands smilingly for the press cameras and the winning Auto Union was driven away by a mechanic. It had been a proud day for Auto Union; and for Mr Shields, owner of Donington, and for [circuit founder] Fred Craner. May the latter stage an equally international race in 1938. The crowd invaded the course rather badly towards the end, in spite of the appeals of FLM Harris over the very efficient loud-speakers. Then remained only the vast trek back home, the road as far as Ashby-de-la-Zouch blocked for hours with a slowly moving stream of cars.

Long after it was all over the Mercedes publicity man and an assistant typed reports in the open in the Press enclosure – our last glimpse of German thoroughness. A very great day in British motor sport. WB

Taken from Motor Sport, October 1937

Auto Union Type-C V16

Years 1936-37
Designer Ferdinand Porsche
Races (European Championship) 9
Wins 4
Non-championship wins 8