Audi Tradition has unveiled its stunning re-creation of the Auto Union Lucca in the town that gave it its name. Known in its time as the ‘fastest road racing car in the world’, the original car achieved a recorded speed of 326.975 km/h (203mph) while being driven by Hans Stuck on 15 February 1935 along a straight section of the Autostrada near Lucca, Italy – hence the name.
In its use of advanced aerodynamics, lightweight construction and a high-performance engine, the Lucca was intended to demonstrate Auto Union’s (and therefore Germany’s) technical expertise and innovative strength to the world.
Like Audi Tradition’s other re-creations, this one is the result of a three-year project by the British Crosthwaite & Gardiner concern, custom-made and hand-crafted at its workshops in East Sussex and overseen by Timo Witt, head of Audi’s historical vehicle collection. It is powered by a mid-mounted, specially built 6.0-litre supercharged V16 and drives the rear wheels via a five-speed non-synchronised manual gearbox.
The bodywork is hand-beaten aluminium, and the original was honed in the wind tunnel in order for Auto Union to retake a speed record that had been achieved by arch rival Mercedes-Benz in Hungary, during late 1934. It also achieved a flying mile average of 320.267 km/h, Stuck wresting the record back from Rudolf Caracciola in the process.
Two were built and both subsequently competed at the AVUS Ring in May 1935, though both failed to finish – the streamlining that made them so effective in record-breaking countered their effectiveness in longer races.
As both cars were lost, Audi Tradition sought to fill a gap in its heritage: ‘Audi has not yet had an Auto Union racing car or record-breaking car from the early Grand Prix era in its historic vehicle collection,’ said Stefan Trauf, Head of Audi Tradition.
The Auto Union Lucca will make its dynamic debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, to be held on 9-12 July. There you will hear as well as see it in its full glory. ‘Expect flames!’ said Timo Witt.
