The typical colour for Auto Union race cars is silver. And this Type 52 is, of course, also silver, embodying the classic look of Auto Union’s Grand Prix racing cars from the 1930s.
Following the formation of Auto Union AG in 1932 from the four companies Audi, DKW, Horch and Wanderer, Porsche in Stuttgart was commissioned to develop a racing car for the new 750-kg formula. The Auto Union Type A, known internally at Porsche as the Type 22, was developed.
These lightning-fast racing cars captivated the audience. Unlike Mercedes-Benz, which fitted its Grand Prix racing cars with front-mounted engines, the Auto Union cars had their engines positioned behind the driver. A concept that remains ‘state-of-the-art’ in racing car construction to this day.
At the same time as the development of these magnificent and revolutionary mid-engined Grand Prix racers, the Type 52 took shape on the drawing board in Ferdinand Porsche’s design office in 1933. The concept – or rather, the idea behind it – was to build a road-going sports car based on the technology of the Grand Prix racers. Internally, this project was christened the ‘Schnellsportwagen’.
A Gran Turismo of its day, developed for endurance races such as the Mille Miglia, the 24 Hours of Le Mans and Spa-Francorchamps. However, it seems the Type 52 was also intended for discerning customers who wanted to combine the technology and performance of Grand Prix racing cars with the driving comfort of a Gran Turismo.
The Auto Union Type 52 could have become the most fascinating sports car of its time. Yet it remained nothing more than a dream captured in drawings and designs. In 1935, development was finally halted due to a lack of commercial prospects.
As far as we know today, the planned prototype was probably never built either. Many records, photographs and other documents were lost when the Auto Union was dismantled by the Russian occupying forces, a fate that also befell the Grand Prix racing cars.
However, there was still enough material in the archives to bring this project to life after more than 90 years. For Audi Tradition, the motivation behind this ambitious project certainly has something to do with marketing. The advertising slogan ‘Vorsprung durch Technik’ (Advancement through Technology) has thus been brought to life in a most impressive manner. Reflecting on one’s own automotive history is, after all, a very popular tool used by all car manufacturers to demonstrate their capabilities.
Using the surviving archive documents, plans and design drawings, Audi commissioned Crosthwaite & Gardiner to build the Auto Union Type 52. The English specialists also look after Auto Union’s Grand Prix racing cars and, after several years of construction, completed the ‘Schnellsportwagen’ project in 2023. Despite everything, the available documentation made it possible to trace the direction of development and the associated objectives very clearly.
All components were handcrafted specifically for this car. At over five metres in length, the Auto Union Type 52 is an imposing sight: The long, teardrop-shaped silhouette reveals that the engineers led by Ferdinand Porsche designed the car for the best possible aerodynamics and maximum performance.
Unlike the Grand Prix racing cars, the Type 52 was intended to be somewhat more suitable for everyday use. It has a roof, headlights and a little space for luggage. Storage space for the spare tyres has also been provided.
But that was the extent of its comfort. Just like in a racing car, the driver sits in the centre of the Auto Union Type 52, whilst the front-seat passengers sit slightly set back to the right and left. With three people, 70 kg of luggage and 150 kg of fuel and other supplies, the Type 52 has a total weight of 1,750 kilograms.
The engine, including the supercharger, and the gearbox, in conjunction with the open 5-speed gearselector, are taken from the Grand Prix racing car. However, the engineers opted for different technical solutions for the suspension and damping. The fuel tank, originally designed to hold 110 litres, was relocated beneath the seats during development – in the Grand Prix racing car, the significantly larger tank is situated directly behind the driver at the vehicle’s centre of gravity, which offered enormous advantages in terms of weight distribution. The Auto Union Type 52 has drum brakes on all four wire-spoke wheels.
During the development of the Type 52, a few adjustments had to be made to the original plans. For example, the wheelbase had to be made significantly longer than originally planned. The intensive dialogue between Crosthwaite & Gardiner and Audi Tradition ultimately led to the final result that can be admired today.
Perfectly sculpted and stunning in a silk-matt silver paint finish, this masterpiece of technology stands proudly on its wheels. The enthusiasm of the visitors at the Grand Meeting at Rittergut Birkhof was palpable. Young and old, ladies and gentlemen – everyone was so captivated they were left speechless. There was also a hint of awe and incredulity among the visitors.
The Auto Union Type 52 – a true Masterpiece of Technology and a real beauty.
