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26th Annual Monterey Historic Automobile Races
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This year's Monterey Historic meeting was an event Audi fans will remember fondly for years to come. Each year the organizers of this now world famous vintage racing event at Laguna Seca Raceway specify a "featured marque" to be honored. This year that honor went to Auto Union, which was represented by Audi. Audi brought over an incredible collection of cars including no less than four Auto Union GP cars from the 30s. The following descriptions come from Audi's press release:
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1936 Auto Union V16 Type C Grand Prix
- Engine: V16 (45deg) mounted behind the driver, all aluminum, 6005cc (75mm x 85mm), two valves per cylinder, single, central overhead camshaft operating inlet valves direct, exhausts via pushrods, Roots-type supercharger, twin-choke Solex carburetor, twin Bosch magnetos, dry-sump lubrication.
- Output: 520bhp at 5000 rpm. 630lb.ft of torque at 2500rpm.
- Transmission: Rear-mounted 5-speed and reverse gearbox; multi-plate clutch running in oil; ZF limited-slip differential.
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- Body/chassis: All-aluminum body except for steel cockpit cowl and fuel tank behind the driver. Twin-tube, chrome-molybdenum steel chassis Suspension: Front, transverse torsion bars, trailing links, friction shock absorbers; rear, swing-axle, longitudinal torsion bars, friction shock absorbers.
"The legendary, revolutionary, mid-engined, 16-cylinder, 210mph, 750kg-formula Grand Prix car that in 1936 gave Auto Union its most successful Grand Prix season in the battle of the Silver Arrows against Mercedes-Benz. That year, in a car identical to this, Auto Union's star driver Bernd Rosemeyer won five Grand Prix and the European Championship, equivalent to today's Formula One World title. With minor modifications, the Type C won another six Grand Prix in 1937."
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1937 Auto Union V16 Type C Streamliner
- Engine: V16 (45deg) mounted behind the driver, all aluminum, 6005cc (75mm x 85mm), two valves per cylinder, single, central overhead camshaft operating inlet valves direct, exhausts via pushrods, Roots-type supercharger, twin-choke Solex carburetor, twin Bosch magnetos, dry-sump lubrication.
- Output: 520bhp at 5000 rpm. 630lb.ft torque at 2500 rpm.
- Transmission: Rear-mounted 5-speed and reverse gearbox; multi-plate clutch running in oil; ZF limited-slip differential.
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- Body/chassis: Enclosed, streamlined aluminum body. Twin-tube, chrome-molybdenum steel chassis.
- Suspension: Front, transverse torsion bars, trailing links, friction shock absorbers; rear, swing-axle, longitudinal torsion bars, friction shock absorbers.
"Auto Union's aerodynamic aluminum masterpiece made its debut in the 1937 AVUS Grand Prix in the shape of two cars for Bernd Rosemeyer and Luigi Fagioli. Rosemeyer set the fastest race lap in his at 171.74 mph. Then the German ace went record breaking with the 'Stromlinie' on the Frankfurt/Darmstadt autobahn. In October 1937 he raised the international flying kilometer record to 252.48 mph and the flying mile to 252.46 mph. Record chasing again on January 28, 1938, Rosemeyer's Auto Union Streamliner, now with a 560bhp 6.5-litre engine and the first ever use of aerodynamic skirts, was blown off the autobahn at 270 mph by a freak gust of wind and the greatest racing driver of his era was killed. This car is a superb recreation of the originals, none of which survives."
1938 Auto Union V12 Type D Grand Prix
- Engine: Mid-engined, 45 degree V12, 2984.9cc (65mm x 75mm), all-aluminum, two valves per cylinder, triple overhead camshafts (central camshaft operates inlet valves), Roots-type single-stage supercharger, twin-choke Solex carburetor, twin Bosch magnetos, dry sump lubrication.
- Output: 425bhp at 7000 rpm.
- Transmission: Rear-mounted 5-speed and reverse gearbox; multi-plate clutch running in oil; ZF limited-slip differential.
- Body/chassis: All-aluminum body. Twin-tube, chrome-molybdenum steel chassis.
- Suspension: Front, transverse torsion bars, trailing links, hydraulic lever-arm shock absorbers; rear, De Dion axle, longitudinal torsion bars, hydraulic lever-arm and friction-type shock absorbers, Panhard rod.
"Built for the new 1938 Grand Prix formula, this model had Tazio Nuvolari as its star driver. He won that year's Italian and Donington GPs. Just three Type Ds survive. This example, owned by Audi, was rescued in pieces from Russia, along with a 1939 485 hp two-stage supercharged model, by Paul and Barbara Karassik of Florida. Both were restored in England by Crosthwaite & Gardiner."
1939 Auto Union V16 Type C/D Mountain Climb
- Engine: V16 (45 degree) mounted behind the driver, all aluminum, 6005cc (75mm x 85mm), two valves per cylinder, single, central overhead camshaft operating inlet valves direct, exhausts via pushrods, Roots-type supercharger, twin-choke Solex carburetor, twin Bosch magnetos, dry-sump lubrication.
- Output: 520bhp at 5000 rpm. 630lb.ft of torque at 2500 rpm.
- Transmission: Rear-mounted 5-speed and reverse gearbox; multi-plate clutch running in oil; ZF limited-slip differential.
- Body/chassis: All-aluminum body except for steel cockpit cowl and fuel tank behind the driver. Twin-tube, chrome-molybdenum steel chassis Suspension: Front, transverse torsion bars, trailing links, hydraulic lever-arm shock absorbers; rear, De Dion axle, longitudinal torsion bars, hydraulic lever-arm and friction-type shock absorbers, Panhard rod.
"The only all-original Auto Union V16 Silver Arrow survivor, this special 'Bergwagen' (Mountain Car) has twin rear wheels for extra traction. First built in 1937 on a short-wheelbase, swing-axle Type C chassis, it won Hans Stuck the 1938 German Mountain Climb Championship. Rebuilt in 1939 with its V16 Type C engine installed in a De Dion axle Type D chassis for the 7.83-mile Grossglockner Mountain Climb (Driver: H.P. M�ller), the last pre-war climb. One of 18 Auto Unions found by the Russians in 1945 hidden near Zwickau and packed on a train to Moscow, it was given to the Zil automobile and truck factory for research. Rescued dramatically from the Zil factory in 1976, hours from planned destruction, by Viktor Kulbergs, president of the Latvia Antique Automobile Club and founder of the Riga Motormuseum, Latvia. Acquired by Audi from the museum in 1995. Restored in England by Crosthwaite & Gardiner."
1939 Auto Union V12 Type D Grand Prix
- Engine: Mid-engined, 45 degree V12, 2984.9cc (65mm x 75mm), all-aluminum, two valves per cylinder, triple overhead camshafts (central camshaft operates inlet valves), Roots-type two-stage supercharger, twin-choke Solex carburetor, twin Bosch magnetos, dry sump lubrication.
- Output: 485bhp at 7000 rpm. 413lb.ft of torque at 4000 rpm.
- Transmission: Rear-mounted 5-speed and reverse gearbox; multi-plate clutch; ZF limited-slip differential.
- Body/chassis: Aluminum body. Twin-tube, chrome-molybdenum steel chassis.
- Suspension: Front, transverse torsion bars, trailing links, hydraulic lever-arm shock absorbers; rear, De Dion axle, longitudinal torsion bars, hydraulic lever-arm and friction-type shock absorbers, Panhard rod.
"Two-stage supercharging and revised bodywork boosted performance (to 205 mph) of Auto Union's Type D Grand Prix car for 1939. With this model, H. P. M�ller won the French Grand Prix and Tazio Nuvolari the Yugoslav, the last pre-war GP. This car is owned by Florida couple Paul and Barbara Karassik, who rescued it in pieces from Russia, along with a 1938 Type D now owned by Audi. Both were restored by Crosthwaite & Gardiner in England."
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1926 NSU Type 6/60PS Grand Prix
- Engine: 6-cylinder, in line, 1482cc (59.1 x 90mm), side-valve, horizontal Roots supercharger driven off the gearbox, Zenith carburetor.
- Output: 60hp at 4000 rpm.
- Transmission: 4-speed with reverse driving through multi-plate clutch.
- Suspension: Semi-elliptic springs, friction shock absorbers.
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"The only survivor of the four NSU works team cars that finished 1-2-3-4 in class and 5-7-8-10 overall out of 23 entries in the first German Grand Prix at the AVUS in 1926. Kl�ble's leading NSU averaged 78 mph for the 400km race. Capable of nearly 109 mph, the 830kg NSUs were advanced for their time. This restored car, chassis number 7583, was reacquired by NSU from Martin Stahn of Berlin in December 1966 in exchange for a new NSU Type 110 car. He bought it in 1931 for 150 Reichsmark and drove it on the road until 1937."
1930 Audi Zwickau Type SS
- Engine: 8-cylinder, in line, 5130cc.
- Output: 100bhp at 3000 rpm.
"Audi introduced this large, top of the range luxury car, with a straight-8 engine built under license from Rickenbacker, in the face of economic recession. Its figure '1' radiator mascot was seen as a symbol of advanced engineering and all that was exclusive in automobile construction. Both a 7-seater Pullman and a more expensive convertible were offered. Production ended when Audi became part of Auto Union in 1932."
1931 DKW F1 Monoposto
- Engine: 2-cylinder, in-line, 598cc, 2-stroke with double action charging pump, open exhaust without muffler.
- Output: 36bhp at 5400 rpm.
- Transmission: Front-wheel drive.
"Based on a sports version of the DKW F1, the first production car with front-wheel drive, this little 80mph single-seat racing car designed by Baron von Koenig-Fachsenfeld and fitted with a specially tuned DKW motorcycle engine, captured numerous international records on the Montlh�ry circuit in 1931. It is now owned and driven by Frieder Bach of Chemnitz."
1932 Horch 670 Cabriolet
- Engine: V12 (60deg) 6021cc (80mm x 100mm).
- Output: 120bhp at 3200 rpm.
- Transmission: 4-speed gearbox with synchromesh on top three gears.
"Produced from 1931 to 1934, the two-door, 87mph, V12-engined Horch 670 Cabriolet and the mechanically similar, long-wheelbase 600 Pullman-Limousine were the top-of-the-range models for luxury carmaker Horch when the company merged with Audi, DKW and Wanderer to form Auto Union in 1932."
1936 DKW F5 Roadster
- Engine: 2-cylinder, in-line, 692cc, 2-stroke.
- Output: 20bhp at 3500 rpm.
- Transmission: Front-wheel drive with free-wheel transmission.
"This neat little two-seater Roadster-almost a miniature of the big Horchs produced by the Auto Union-was produced from 1935-1938. With 100cc more capacity than in standard DKW F5 models, the smooth-revving two-stroke engine gave the Roadster a maximum speed of nearly 60 mph. It cost just 3,000 Reichsmarks new. Around 400 were built."
1936 Wanderer W25/K
- Engine: 6-cylinder, in line, 1949cc, supercharged, overhead valves, aluminum cylinder head and block.
- Output: 85bhp at 4000 rpm.
"The Wanderer division of Auto Union launched its handsome two-seat sports car at the 1936 International Motor Show in Berlin. The supercharged W25/K ('K' for 'Kompressor'), with engine designed by Ferdinand Porsche and advanced styling had a top speed of over 90 mph, impressive for its day. This car is owned by Florida couple Paul and Barbara Karassik."
1952/53 DKW 250 RM
- Engine: 2-cylinder, 250cc (52 x 58mm), 2-stroke with rotary sleeve valve.
- Output: Approximately 28bhp at 9800 rpm.
"This one-off works DKW team racing motorcycle was a Grand Prix and German Championship winner in 1952. The following year, it finished third in the Isle of Man 250cc Tourist Trophy Race. Riders included W�nsche, Kluge, Hobl, Felgenheier and Hofmann. Maximum speed is around 112 mph.
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Audi also brought over current and past drivers to run some of these cars in demonstration laps including Frank Biela, Emanuele Pirro, Michele Alboreto, and Hurley Haywood. Bobby Unser was spotted around the Audi area but it is unknown if he was re-united with his Pikes Peak winning car or not. Audi's chairman was out driving a number of laps in the 1939 Auto Union V16 Type C/D Mountain Climb car.
Audi Quattro Club USA was the car club present, representing Audi. Members of the club did Audi proud. Over 200 Audi cars filled the club corral and took to the track for two parade laps. Countless examples of ur-Quattros as well as every other recent US Audi imaginable. Notables include an S2 SCCA Pro Rally racing car.
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Many interesting "project cars" including a 5000 Quattro (200 in Europe) with a LT1 (read Chevy Corvette) engine transplant... that one had Audi technical people scratching their heads and muttering in German. Quattro Club USA held their largest ever club banquet with a line up of guest speakers including the Chairman of Audi, the new head of Audi US, and endurance racing great Hurley Haywood who spoke and answered questions for over an hour.
The Monterey Historic Automobile Races are so well covered that I think my photographs better describe the events of that memorable weekend far better than my words. The weekend's events included practice sessions for all categories of cars on Friday, practices and races for 6 categories Saturday, and practices and races for another 7 categories of cars on Sunday. Vintage racing is one of the fastest growing forms of motor sports in the US and it is obvious to see why. Drivers in these events are not all professionals but many famous drivers are on hand. It is quite amazing to see these fields of cars, many priceless and irreplaceable, out running together at speed. In case you think there are no potential hazards, no less than Sterling Moss was involved in an incident that damaged the 1959 Le Mans winning Aston Martin.
The weekend at Monterey in late August should now be on every auto enthusiast's calendar. There are many events in the area over the course of the weekend including two major Concours d' Elegance, classic car auctions, a tour parade of cars from the Pebble Beach Concours d' Elegance, all in addition to the vintage races at Laguna Seca Raceway. Every year that I go there I come away with many amazing photographs and indelible memories. If you have the chance to get to the Monterey Historic Automobile Races, be sure to go, as you will not be disappointed.
Photography and story by Mike Veglia. Mike is a professional photographer in the US and will be covering races from the FedEX CART series for us also. There are many more pictures from this event at Mike's own site. His work can be ordered there: Motor Sport Visions Photography - www.motorsportvisions.com
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