The 1938 Wanderer W25 Stromlinie Special Roadster is a remarkable piece of automotive history, combining groundbreaking design and unparalleled performance. A product of Auto Union, this car not only participated in prestigious Grand Prix races but also took on the brutal challenge of endurance and off-road competitions. The car’s story is a testament to innovation, perseverance, and the spirit of racing that spanned decades, from its creation to its resurrection.
The Auto Union Legacy: A Racing Powerhouse
Auto Union AG, founded in 1932, quickly established itself as a dominant force in the racing world. Known for its involvement in Grand Prix racing, the company also ventured into endurance and off-road racing, both of which were immensely popular during the late 1930s. In 1938 and 1939, Auto Union entered the famous Liège-Rome-Liège race, a grueling long-distance endurance event. For this, they built three streamlined Wanderer sports cars, each equipped with an aluminum body and mounted on the chassis of the Wanderer W25 K.
The Liège-Rome-Liège race, often considered one of the toughest and most demanding in motorsport history, featured a 5,064 km route through harsh terrains. In 1939, Auto Union achieved a remarkable success by winning the team competition, marking a significant achievement in their racing legacy.
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Watch this video to discover the unique Wanderer Stromlinie Spezial, featured on Motorvision International!
The Wanderer W25 Stromlinie: A Car Ahead of Its Time
The Wanderer W25 Stromlinie Special was designed for the brutal conditions of the Liège-Rome-Liège race. With its sleek aluminum body, this roadster was not only a sight to behold but also a highly functional machine. Measuring 4.35 meters in length, 1.65 meters in width, and standing 1.28 meters tall, the car weighed a mere 900 kg. Under the hood, it housed a 2.0-liter, six-cylinder engine designed by the legendary Ferdinand Porsche, capable of producing 70 horsepower at 4800 rpm. This allowed the W25 Stromlinie to reach a top speed of 160 km/h – impressive for a car of its time.
Despite its compact design and lightweight body, the car was built to endure long hours of racing over challenging roads. The Wanderer W25 Stromlinie’s 4-speed manual transmission, with quick-shift functionality, contributed to its efficiency and performance, making it a formidable contender in one of the most challenging endurance races in motorsport history.
Auto Union’s Success at Liège-Rome-Liège
Auto Union’s involvement in the 1939 Liège-Rome-Liège race was marked by notable success. The team secured a prestigious victory in the team competition with their three Wanderer W25 Stromlinie roadsters. The drivers, Momberger/Weidauer and Müller/Menz, finished in 4th place with identical scores, while Trägner/Fritzsching secured the 12th position. Although the team had suffered a setback in 1938 when their leading car was forced to retire due to a camshaft failure, their triumph in 1939 solidified their position as pioneers in endurance racing.
The race itself was an extraordinary test of endurance, with drivers spending more than 100 hours behind the wheel. The only stops permitted were for refueling or minor repairs, as the race traversed harsh European terrains, including the Ardennes, the Alps, and the Apennines. The Liège-Rome-Liège was not merely a race; it was a supreme test of both car and driver.
The Post-War Revival: Restoring the Wanderer W25 Stromlinie
When World War II broke out, the future of the Wanderer W25 Stromlinie, along with much of Auto Union’s racing fleet, seemed uncertain. After the war, many vehicles were repurposed or destroyed, and the Wanderer W25’s whereabouts became unclear. However, in the 1980s, fragments of Auto Union race cars resurfaced, sparking interest in their restoration.
In 2004, Audi took the bold step of rebuilding the Wanderer W25 Stromlinie Special roadsters. Three cars were meticulously restored by European car restorer Werner Zinke GmbH. This was no easy task, as no original designs or detailed plans existed. Instead, the restoration team relied heavily on historical photographs and calculations to recreate the cars as faithfully as possible. The restoration process involved constructing a steel model, followed by a wooden prototype, before meticulously hand-shaping the aluminum body panels using traditional techniques.
The result was three cars that closely resembled the original Wanderer W25 Stromlinie, though with modern modifications. One notable upgrade was the use of a 5-speed gearbox, replacing the original 4-speed unit. This modern touch made the cars more practical and easier to drive, especially in events like the Klausenrennen Memorial in 2006, where these revived legends were put to the test once again.
A Glorious Return: Wanderer W25 Stromlinie on Display
Today, two of the restored Wanderer W25 Stromlinie roadsters are proudly displayed in Audi’s museum in Ingolstadt, Germany. These vehicles serve as a tribute to both the pioneering design of the 1930s and the enduring spirit of Auto Union in the world of motorsport. The third car, however, resides with Belgian Audi importer D’Ieteren.
The revival of the Wanderer W25 Stromlinie is a remarkable feat in automotive restoration, showcasing Audi’s commitment to preserving automotive history. These cars are not just relics of the past; they are symbols of innovation and perseverance, reminding us of the golden age of endurance racing and the incredible engineering behind these iconic machines.
In conclusion, the Wanderer W25 Stromlinie Special Roadster is a car that has left an indelible mark on the world of motorsport. From its performance in the Liège-Rome-Liège race to its revival in the 21st century, the car’s legacy continues to inspire and captivate enthusiasts and historians alike. Whether displayed in a museum or raced at historic events, the Wanderer W25 remains a testament to the power of automotive engineering and the relentless pursuit of excellence.
Video
Watch this video to uncover the lost legacy of the 1938 Wanderer Stromlinie Spezial, a remarkable pre-war car!
