Audi welcomes the machine at Goodwood

The 2008 Goodwood Festival of Speed (11–13 July) will see the world debut of an “all-new” Auto Union “Silverarrow” Type D. An authentic reconstruction of the 1939 dual-compressor model, the car will be driven at the event by Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason. The project, commissioned by Audi Tradition, was undertaken by specialist workshop Crosthwaite & Gardiner in East Sussex, with bodywork completed by Roach Manufacturing, near Southampton. It took four years to complete.

The dual-compressor 12 cylinder Type D originally made its debut half way through the racing year at the 1939 Belgian Grand Prix and won two Grands Prix at the hands of Hermann Paul Müller (French GP) and Tazio Nuvolari (Belgrade GP). While heavily based on earlier Type D models, the bodywork of the 1939 car was modified to house the 485hp twin supercharger set up. Auto Union was split apart by Soviet forces after the completion of World War II, and as a result many of the technical drawings and records of their cars were lost forever. With only a few rare photos to work from the team at Roach Manufacturing had a painstaking task to recreate the Silverarrow’s exterior. The company already have a 1937 reconstruction on display at the Audi museum mobile, so their pedigree was well founded. At the completion of this project Keith Roach proudly declared, “it is one of our all-time masterpieces.”

Thomas Frank, Head of Audi Tradition, explained more about their Silverarrow replica program, “our Auto Union Type D from 1938, which to a very large extent is made from original parts and has been exhibited at racetracks for a number of years, will go on display in the Audi museum mobile in the medium term. One reason for this decision is that we need to avoid it being damaged. The new replica will take its place. We will thus still be able to give people the extraordinary experience of witnessing this car in action.”

Pink Floyd drummer, Nick Mason—a bona fide rock legend—has proved his credentials for the car’s Goodwood debut by competing at the Le Mans 24 hour race five times. Mason also has a fine collection of his own rare and classic racing cars with their value well into the millions of dollars. At the 2007 Festival of Speed he drove a 1936 Auto Union Type C. “I must have done something right last year if Audi Tradition is now prepared to let me take to the wheel for this maiden trip. But seriously, it’s a huge honour, which I sincerely appreciate,” said Mason.

The Le Mans connection will continue for Audi at Goodwood with five-time Le Mans winner Frank Biela driving the Audi A4 Supertouring he took to the 1996 British Touring Car Championship. “I’m really pleased to be taking part in Goodwood—in my very own former racing car, to boot! That’s just great!” declared Biela. Audi Sport will also be exhibiting the winning car from Le Mans, the Audi R10.