75 Years of the Silver Arrow: the Mercedes-Benz W25 and Auto Union Type A ...
Dear Ultimatecarpage.com visitor,
In 1934 a new era in Grand Prix racing started with the arrival of the 'Silver Arrows.' Constructed with the financial help from the German government, the new Mercedes-Benz and Auto Union machines combined very powerful engines with revolutionary chassis. Unlike their contemporaries the German machines had fully independent suspension.
The most successful of the 1934 cars was the Mercedes-Benz W25. It featured a supercharged straight eight engine that originally produced just over 314 bhp, which was gradually increased to 453 bhp as the engine grew in size. After a difficult start, drivers like Luigi Fagioli and Rudolf Caracciola dominated Grand Prix racing during the 1935 season. The W25 was also set to be the reason for the cars being called 'Silver Arrows' or 'Silber Pfeile' but the truth is a little different. All this can be found in our detailed article that is illustrated with pictures of one of the first W25s built. It was driven up the hill at Goodwood by Jenson Button and Jochen Mass. The featured example was the first 'Silver Arrow' to win a race in 1934.
Where the Mercedes-Benz was still fairly conventional, Auto Union broke new grounds with their Type A. Designed by Dr Ferdinand Porsche, it sported a supercharged V16 engined that was mounted behind the driver. The typical Porsche swing-axles gave it very tricky handling but history would eventually prove Auto Union right. In 6-litre Type C specification, the mid-engined Auto Union was virtually unbeatable in 1936. Unfortunately only very few Auto Unions have survived and none of the original Type As remain. British experts Crosthwaite and Gardiner have come to our rescue in recent years by constructing several absolutely correct 'resurrections' using the original drawings provided by Audi. That made it possible for us to shoot an Auto Union Type A at this year's Goodwood Festival of Speed.
Enjoy the links:
1934 Auto Union Type A - Images, Specifications and Information
1934 - 1935 Mercedes-Benz W25 - Images, Specifications and Information
Regards,
Wouter Melissen
Last edited by Wouter Melissen; 07-22-2009 at 10:55 AM.
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