1936 Auto Union Typ C
Pilot: Achille Varzi
Team: Auto Union
Race: 3rd place in the Hungarian GP of 1936
Minichamps - 400360014 (diecast)
Published 12/09/18
For the 1936 Grand Prix season Auto Union introduced a new car, the Typ C model. The engine was a 6005 cm³ V16 with 32 valves, coupled to a 5 speed gearbox. Supercharged by a Roots supercharger, it delivered 520 hp to the rear wheels. Basically, it was the same engine of the Typ A of 1934, but enlarged to 6 l. Compared to the preceding Typ B, the Typ C was very similar. The only difference was the bigger engine and a new ZF differential. The new differential, with limited-slip, granted an improvement in handling. Still, 520 hp made the car a handful.
The first Hungarian Grand Prix happened on June 21st, 1936. Népliget Park (“Peoples’ Park”), a big public park east of Budapest’s center, would be the race track. The Silberpfeile were represented by Mercedes-Benz, with three W25 and Auto Union, with three Typ C. However, their main opposition were the 8C-35 and Tipo B/P3 from Alfa Romeo. Until half the race it was a duel for first place between Caracciola’s W25 and Rosemeyer’s Typ C. They were followed by Tazio Nuvolari in a 8C and Achille Varzi in a Typ C. Caracciola had to abandon, and the twisty circuit wasn’t ideal for the Typ C. Slowly Nuvolari took the lead and finished in first, with Rosemeyer in second. Varzi in Typ C #14 managed a third place, but two laps behind .
So, now I got the Typ A, B and C. From a distance all three models look a LOT similar, which they should, since one evolved to the next. Up close though, you can see that they have many minute differences, including in the casting. So it’s not the same body with different race numbers and a few ancillary details added on. Minichamps did a totally smashing job on these cars. In short, I’m really happy to say that they are among the truly best in my collection. They are truly as good as Spark’s finest efforts in resin. Not for everyone, I know, but absolutely fantastic models.