The legend roars back to life. Audi Tradition has meticulously reconstructed the Auto Union Lucca, the silver arrow that shattered speed records in 1935 with a blistering 326.975 km/h (203 mph) run. This engineering masterpiece will join Audi’s historic collection before making its dynamic debut at this summer’s Goodwood Festival of Speed.
The original speed king
February 1935: On Italy’s autostrada near Lucca, racing legend Hans Stuck climbed into the cockpit of a sleek silver missile. The streamlined “Rennlimousine” (racing sedan) packed a supercharged 343-horsepower V16. Within seconds, it hit 326.975 km/h – a new world speed record that cemented Auto Union’s reputation. This was the ancestor of modern Audi, born from four German automakers’ 1932 merger.
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Racing against Mercedes-Benz
The 1930s saw fierce competition between Auto Union and Mercedes-Benz. Every speed record set by one manufacturer was immediately challenged by the other. After Rudolf Caracciola pushed Mercedes to 316.592 km/h in late 1934, Auto Union engineers responded with this aerodynamic marvel boasting a then-revolutionary 0.43 drag coefficient.
900-hour resurrection
Nearly 90 years later, Audi entrusted British specialists Crosthwaite & Gardiner with recreating this mechanical jewel. “Every component was hand-built using archival documents and period photos,” explains Timo Witt of Audi Tradition. “The streamlined bodywork and cockpit demanded particular patience.” The project required over 900 hours of painstaking craftsmanship.
Modernized legend
The replica’s hood hides a 6.0-liter V16 producing 520 horsepower – a contemporary interpretation of the original powerplant. Engineers faithfully recreated the 1935 fuel mix: 50% methanol, 40% gasoline, and 10% toluene. Despite weighing just 2,116 pounds, this remains a fearsome machine, as Goodwood attendees will witness when it attacks the hill climb this July.
Key facts
- Original Auto Union Lucca set 203 mph record in 1935
- Audi’s exact replica features period-correct construction
- 6.0-liter V16 produces 520 horsepower
- Public debut scheduled for Goodwood Festival of Speed
- New centerpiece of Audi’s historic collection
This resurrection writes a new chapter for the Silver Arrows legacy. “This car embodies Audi’s innovative spirit from day one,” says Stefan Trauf, head of Audi Tradition. “A timeless masterpiece combining extreme performance with elegant design.”
