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V16 Auto Union supercar 1936
"This is how Professor Ferdinand Porsche's
roadgoing V16 Auto Union supercar would
probably have looked. This artwork was
especially commissioned by Classic and
Sportscar and is by technical artist Brian
Nation, who had just a handful of factory
drawings on which to base his highly
detailed cutaway. Although the car was
never made, the influence of Komenda's
wind cheating shape was to be seen
decades later in the Porsche 911."
"Think Gordon Murray's mid engined, three seater McLaren F1 is novel? Ferdinand Porsche proposed just such a supercar*based on his Grand Prix Auto Union*60 years ago! Chris Nixon investigates
Imagine! It is July 27, 1936 and you are standing on the vast concrete apron that forms the starting area at the Nurburgring. Yesterday you were among the 300,000 people who cheered Bernd Rosemeyer to the echo as he won the German Grand Prix for Auto Union. Today, you will be the envy of them all, for he is going to take you on a high speed drive around the 'Ring in Professor Ferdinand Porsche's latest creation.
This extraordinary machine stands silent on the concrete before you, its silver paintwork shimmering in the strong sunlight. Based upon the mid engined Grand Prix car, it is the Professor's idea of what a sports car should be, so low and streamlined, so futuristic that it could have had a starring role in the new film of HG Wells' "Things to Come".
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