The Complicated Fate of a Auto Union

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

The Grand Prix cars are symbols of the most prestigious technologies. This is not new: when they created a "race" to supremacy between Mercedes-Benz and Auto Union, the German Third Reich officials wanted to demonstrate their power ahead of Alfa Romeo, Maserati, Bugatti, Delahaye and Talbot.

Then came the war, and the equipment of Auto Union was segregated by the Soviets. The cars were dismantled for the purpose of reengineering. They could only be used with a specially designed fuel: one of them, which still had some in its tank, was tested by the Soviets.

A copy was reconstituted over the chassis 19, which seems to be the only one to have been preserved intact. The rest of it is original, but from other copies.

Thus, this curiosity is the only witness, although disparate, of a model which was prestigious in 1938 and 1939. Bonhams and Butterfields offers this car on sale on August 14 at Quail Lodge, Carmel, California.

If the historical and political interest is felt stronger than the usual quest for original condition, it may perhaps reach its announced estimate: $ 8 million.

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

I do not write articles when I think that an object will not be sold. I made an exception (with the required precautions) for this Auto Union because it was the only survivor of its kind that can claim some authenticity. Of course, this car was not worth $ 8 million. Unsold.