En la década de 1930 se desató una carrera internacional por batir récords. La velocidad era mucho más que una simple medida, las carreras de Gran Premio y la constante superación de récords de velocidad eran seguidas y celebradas casi obsesivamente por los medios de comunicación y el público. Con el paso de los años, Alemania se convirtió en escenario de una feroz competencia entre marcas, pilotos y tecnologías, la estrella contra los cuatro aros, Caracciola y von Brauchitsch contra Stuck y Rosemeyer, motor delantero contra motor central. Auto Union AG, fundada en 1932 mediante la fusión de Audi, DKW, Horch y Wanderer, debutó en la temporada de Gran Premio de 1934 bajo la nueva fórmula de 750 kilogramos con el Auto Union Tipo A de 295 CV. Ese mismo año, lidera el ranking de velocidad, el 6 de marzo establece tres récords mundiales y cinco más el 20 de octubre, todos con un solo auto pilotado por el experimentado piloto y especialista en subidas de montaña Hans Stuck.
The Lucca car during the record runs in Italy (14-15 February 1935).The later record-breaking car Auto Union Lucca in the workshop of the racing department in Zwickau.Audi had the Auto Union Lucca recreated by Crosthwaite & Gardiner based on historical photos and various other documents from the archives. After spending just over three years on its construction, the British restoration specialists completed the project in early 2026.Audi had the Auto Union Lucca recreated by Crosthwaite & Gardiner based on historical photos and various other documents from the archives. After spending just over three years on its construction, the British restoration specialists completed the project in early 2026.Audi had the Auto Union Lucca recreated by Crosthwaite & Gardiner based on historical photos and various other documents from the archives. After spending just over three years on its construction, the British restoration specialists completed the project in early 2026.Audi recreated the Auto Union Lucca. After just over three years of construction, the record-breaking car was completed in early 2026. Detail: 16-cylinder-engine with supercharger.Audi recreated the Auto Union Lucca. After just over three years of construction, the record-breaking car was completed in early 2026. Studio shot of the Avus configuration of the car. Side view.Audi recreated the Auto Union Lucca. After just over three years of construction, the record-breaking car was completed in early 2026. Studio shot. Front view.Audi recreated the Auto Union Lucca. After just over three years of construction, the record-breaking car was completed in early 2026. Studio shot. Rear view.Audi recreated the Auto Union Lucca. After just over three years of construction, the record-breaking car was completed in early 2026. Detail: the Auto Union logo as used on the Auto Union racing cars of the 1930s.Audi recreated the Auto Union Lucca. Image taken in Lucca, Italy, at the beginning of May 2026.Audi recreated the Auto Union Lucca. After just over three years of construction, the record-breaking car was completed in early 2026. Driving shot at the first roll-out. Side view.Audi recreated the Auto Union Lucca. After just over three years of construction, the record-breaking car was completed in early 2026. Studio shot. Side view.Audi recreated the Auto Union Lucca. After just over three years of construction, the record-breaking car was completed in early 2026. Studio shot. Side view.Audi recreated the Auto Union Lucca. Image taken in Lucca, Italy, at the beginning of May 2026.Audi recreated the Auto Union Lucca. After just over three years of construction, the record-breaking car was completed in early 2026. Studio shot. Side view.Audi recreated the Auto Union Lucca. After just over three years of construction, the record-breaking car was completed in early 2026. Studio shot. Front view.Audi recreated the Auto Union Lucca. After just over three years of construction, the record-breaking car was completed in early 2026. Studio Top shot.At almost the same time as the successful record attempt in Lucca, a virtually identical version of the record-breaking car is displayed at the International Motor Show in Berlin (February 14 to 24). The promotional poster created for the trade show features – alongside a list of all world and class records achieved by Auto Union brands to date – the Lucca car as the “fastest road racing car in the world,” citing the top speed of 326.975 km/h.At the end of 1934, Auto Union’s racing division brings the car in the wind tunnel at the Berlin Adlershof Aeronautical Research Institute. The findings gained there were incorporated into the design of of what will later become the record breaking car – “a first in European racing car construction,” as the “Automobilrevue” noted at the time.Audi recreated the Auto Union Lucca. Driving shot taken in Lucca, Italy, at the beginning of May 2026.
