Showing posts with label Auto Union. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Auto Union. Show all posts

Thursday, December 15, 2016

Volkswagen Dresden


Volkswagen's Transparent Factory in Dresden is a relatively short walk from the centre of the old town. The ultra-modern steel and glass factory was designed by architect Gunter Henn and opened in 2002.

View of the ultra-modern interior

Volkswagen Dresden's main product is the Volkswagen Phaeton as well as being a research and development centre for electric and alternative energy vehicles.

The highly automated factory was built to manufacture Volkswagen's luxury Phaeton model. Beneath the polished wooden floors is an electromagnetic conveyor that transports the cars through the factory. We did the factory tour although the factory wasn't in operation.

The factory tour includes a walk through of the factory's small museum.

Saxony's automotive heritage is celebrated with a fine display of Auto-Union vehicles.

A Horch 830 Pullman with an ambulance body.

A 1934 Audi Front cabriolet

The budget brands - a 1934 DKW F2 and 1928 Wanderer Puppchen

Wanderer's first automobile was the Puppchen in

The DKW F2 was the second generation of DKWs front-wheel drive cars.

DKW F2

Experimental electric powered Golf was trialed in 1976.

Another electric power trial using a Type 2 kombi-wagen.
The XL1 was an experimental diesel electric hybrid car that Volkswagen unveiled in 2002. They were shown at numerous car shows but remained only limited production vehicle. 

The car is a two seater with the driver and passenger seated in tandem. The cars are very effectively streamlined. A rear view camera provides rearward visibility.

A new electric Bulli which incorporates some classic styling elements.

Another new electric light commercial van concept.

Tours of the factory can be arranged through the website: https://www.glaesernemanufaktur.de/en/

Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Tazio Nuvolari Exhibit, Prague Technical Museum


The National Technical Museum, Prague hosted an exhibition about the Italian Grand Prix driver, Tazio Nuvolari between June and September 2016. The exhibition was built around photos that Nuvolari had taken during his racing years.

Nuvolari started his career in motorcycle racing

A Bugatti like the one Nuvolari drove in the 1934 Monte Carlo rally. Behind the car is a photo of Nuvolari in an Auto-Union Type C and an Alfa Romeo.

Nuvolari and his Alfa Romeo

Throwing an Auto Union around the track in 1936

During one Grand Prix race for the Auto Union team Nuvolari hit a stag that ran out in front of his car. The stag was killed but Nuvolari managed to keep his car on the road. After the race he had the stag butchered and served to the team. Here he poses with the head.

One of Nuvolari's photographs of his Auto Union team mate, Bernd Rosemeyer. Rosemeyer was tragically killed attempting to break the world speed record in a streamlined Auto Union like this in 1938.

Nuvolari posing with another Alfa Romeo

1934 MG B

Auto Union overalls

Nuvolari's red leather racing helmet

Nuvolari's camera

One of Nuvolari's photos. Boys posing with a DKW

Nuvolari's widow, Carolina, photographed after his untimely death in 1953. In his obituary he was declared the greatest driver of past, present and future.

For more information about his life and career: http://en.espnf1.com/f1/motorsport/story/170759.html