Another new old Auto Union

An Auto Union A-type has been recreated over a three-year period by restoration experts Crosthwaite & Gardiner. The East Sussex-based firm, which has now either recreated or restored 11 A-Us, was commissioned to build this particular replica by the D’Ieteren Museum in Belgium.

The A-Type was the first V16 Auto Union GP racer, and was used for only one season, 1934. None of the originals have survived, and this example is based on the German GP winning car driven by Hans Stuck Snr.

“We’ve made every nut and bolt on site,” said Dick Crosthwaite. “We had just a couple of technical drawings to help us with the engine and suspension, while Keith Roach could only use photographs to panel-beat the bodywork.”

The A-Type made its first official appearance on March 6, 1934, when Stuck broke three world records at Avus in Berlin, hitting 170mph. In that season Stuck also used it to win the German, Swiss and Czech GPs.