Auto Union Type C – Bernd Rosemeyer (Pink Kar) Part 3: Front brake drums

    

Following the previous posts about Auto Union Type C, this time I want to set apart history and talk a little bit about  ‘How it’s made’.

As the original Pink kar Auto Union Type C had a rude suspension arm and didn’t have the detailed brake drum, I found a easy solution.  The front brake drums were created from some plastic nails used to hang pictures.

Removing the metal nail and sanding the face to glue in the inner part of wheel hub as shown in the photos, you can see that the solution is very close to looks like the real shape of the brake drum.

The best advice I can give is that if you open your eyes you will discover useful things surrounding you. It’s not usually about been a great builder but a smart observer to find what you need.

I hope you find this solution useful.

Auto Union Type C – Bernd Rosemeyer (Pink Kar) Part 2

Today I’m going to continue talking a bit more extended about a car I’ve already posted: The Auto Union Type C.

Further than its unusual appearance by 1936: double rear wheels, mid-engine layout, smooth edges… there are some things you’re missing.

First of all, you can maybe image it if you take a look at the rear. Yes, you’re sight it’s ok, it counts eight exhaust pipes per side. This monster was powered by a 6 litres V16 engine and, wait for it, a pair of superchargers too. It was able to produce an impressive 510 horsepower, for a 830 kg car. This sounds even more scary if you realise there was no electronic components or driving aids. Those four rear tyres could be induce to wheelspining at speed over 150km/h. Keeping this car under control was just simply a crazy challenge.

To improve handling, this car introduced a new concept: the Limited Slip Differential, designed by Porsche previous year, which actuates as a passive traction control.

Together with mid-engine, the relative position of fuel tank in middle of both axles, just behind the driver, and allowed by engine rear layout, was a good solution to improve weight balance and not to modify weight distribuition with fuel usage.

What about the mad men who would want to drive this fatal car,  Bernd Rosemeyer? When he drove by first time this beast he had no experience in racing cars, this meant a fearless man for a radically new racing car, this meant success. It only took him a few races to consolidate as a reference driver. His fame was raising and his public image improving which led him to be chosen for the Nazi Party, an ‘honour’ not ‘recommended’ to refuse, only with the condition of not wearing the SS uniform. His career continued with several victories and finally with the European Championship in 1936. It’s also known as a speedman. He repeatedly broke the speed record on public roads with a streamlined Auto Union, reaching 432km/h, which at the end would cost him his life, attemting a new record of 432,7km/h, still unbeated nowdays.

Auto Union Type C – Bernd Rosemeyer (Pink Kar)

One of the most amazing cars in history: Auto Union Type C driven by german racer Bernd Rosemeyer.

The Type C was introduced in 1936 to race in European Championship and Grand Prix throughout the continent.

Its mid-engine layout, smooth lines and double rear wheels made the Type C one of the most advanced to its time car in history. Mid-engine design was taken by Ferdinan Porsche from another one by Benz and Its well known as the first successful mid-engine car in history of racing. There was no winner mid-engine car again until 1959, the Cooper Climax T51, more than 20 years later.

The Silver Arrows dominance could only be stopped by outbrake of World War II .

In next posts we’ll talk about technical specs of this unusual and extremely powerful car and its successful german-nazi driver Bernd Rosemeyer, a trully speedman.