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Bernd Rosemeyer Silver Arrow

"Bernd Rosemeyer."

Buy NOW while supplies last.

This sharp vintage photo features Bernd Rosemeyer struggling with the Auto Union Silver Arrow. (click BUY ART to add to cart)

Import Charges – Please know that if you live outside the USA, you "may" have to pay import charges collected by your country. (Note: This print is recognized as DUTY-FREE in most countries, and many of our international customers report paying "no import charges.")

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From the Owen Art Studios' exclusive classic-vintage photo collection, this historic black and white picture of auto racing from the 1930's has been beautifully restored and enhanced.

It's 1937 at Donnington Park and German racing star Bernd Rosemeyer wrestles the big 16-cylinder 500 hp Auto Union "Silver Arrow" Type-C to victory.

During his short racing career, Rosemeyer became very popular all over Europe and as famous as Michael Schumacher is today. He married young flying ace Elly Beinhorn and they were the first motorsports adventure couple. Rosemeyer was also a pilot and would fly to his races. He once landed next to the Flugplatz section of Nürburgring, and rolled his plane to the pits via the race track.

On January 28, 1938, Rosemeyer died during a world speed record attempt on the Autobahn between Frankfurt and Darmstadt.

The fatal crash: Rosemeyer went out in his Auto Union Streamliner despite reports that the wind was picking up. On his third and final attempt to beat the new Mercedes Benz record of 268 mph, his car was probably caught by a gust of wind or an unforeseen aerodynamic effect and skidded to the left and then to the right and off the road. Rosemeyer was thrown out of the car that was somersaulting through the air. He died at the roadside.

Rosemeyer's father owned a garage and repair shop where young Rosemeyer worked on motorcycles and cars. Starting his career in motorbike racing, he became a member of the Auto Union racing team with hardly any experience in normal race cars. This was later considered a benefit as he was not yet used to the handling of traditional layout race cars. The mid-engined Silver Arrows of Auto Union (Silberpfeil) were hard to drive, and only he, Hans Stuck and Italian legend Tazio Nuvolari truly mastered these 500 hp beasts. Top speed of the Type-C was over 195 mph.

The Type-C: Ferdinand Porsche designed the Type-C and was the driving force in having the mid-engine design. With no driveshafts, it allowed the driver to sit lower in the car. The fuel tank was located in the center to help balance the weight distribution. Despite all efforts, 60% of the weight was on the rear wheels. The high power to weight ratio, uneven weight distribution and the swing-axle suspension system made the Type-C oversteer heavily. Drivers of the car also had a hard time gauging slip with the extremely forward driving position. Cornering was a real challenge. Only the master Bernd Rosemeyer was able to drive the Type-C to its full potential.

Another design focus of the car was to use the largest possible engine within the 750kg weight limit. Auto Union succeeded with this goal and created the largest capacity engine to compete in the 1936 and 1937 Grand Prix races. The large 6 liter engine had a weak boost of 10 pounds per square inch. A roots supercharger was attached to increase boost pressures and work as a displacer.

Auto Union: In 1933, Audi, Horch, Wanderer and DKW teamed together with Ferdinand Porsche and Adolf Rosenberger to create Auto Union. The goal of the new company was to enter the 750kg Grand Prix with a controversial mid-engined race car. The Type-C was the third evolution of Auto Union's racecar, which dominated Grand Prix races in 1936 and 37. Auto Union competed with Alfa in the 12C-36, Maserati in the V8RI and Bugatti in the 59/50 at the 1936 Grand Prixs. The Type-C won 6 victories that year with Bernd Rosemeyer taking the overall victory. The Type-C pulled in 10 victories over the two years it was raced.

Home decorating with motorsports art.Only 500 prints of this restored and enhanced black & white photo were produced for worldwide sale. They are on heavy-weight paper, and are easy-to-frame yourself – no mat is needed and each fits into a standard ready-made frame.

Customer Comments
"Excellent picture – Bernd Rosemeyer. Fast shipping and very good communications." — Lloyd Bedeger, Castro Valley, CA

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