Rare Car Archive

Makes › Auto Union Germany › Type D · Factory competition · 1938–1939 Ultra Rare

Auto Union
Type D

3-litre V12 GP car

Still being researched: identification guide. Everything shown is checked against the cited sources. Know more? Send us a source.

IDENTIFICATION CARD · AUTO UNION TYPE D 1938–1939
No licensed photograph yet. Photographs are published only when their licence permits it.
11BuiltIndependently researched
0Chassis documentedin this archive
?SurvivingNot yet verified
Contents
  1. 01Overview
  2. 02Production & history
  3. 03Specifications
  4. 04Colours & options
  5. 05Individual cars
  6. 06Reference

01Overview

At a glance

Built
11 Built
Years
1938–1939
Engine
Mid-mounted longitudinal 60-degree V12, two-stage Roots supercharged · 2,986 cc / 3.0 LFactory: 2,986 cc
Power
362 kW / 492 PSFactory: 485 hp · converted
Top speed
310 km/hFactory: 310 km/h
Body
Not yet verified
Designer
Eberan von Eberhorst
In this archive
Not yet verified
Surviving
Not yet verified

Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.

Why it matters

The Type D was Auto Union's final Grand Prix car, a 2,986 cc V12 with two-stage supercharging that replaced the V16 Type C. Eleven were built, and they won the 1938 Italian Grand Prix and the 1939 French and Yugoslav Grands Prix.

How rare is it?

Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.

Model rarityUltra Rare 11 · Built1
Specification rarityNot yet assessed
Colour rarityNot yet assessed
Individual rarityNot yet assessed
Historical rarityNot yet assessed
Survival rarityNot yet assessed

Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.

02Production & history

Production

Every figure says what it counts.

What is countedFigureBasisStatus
Total model productioncars built 111 Factory production Independently researched

Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.

History

Designed under Prof. Eberan von Eberhorst for 1938-1939, the Type D used a mid-mounted 60-degree V12 of 2,986 cc with two-stage Roots supercharging, giving 485 bhp at 7,000 rpm. It had an aluminium body on a steel tubular ladder frame, a De Dion rear axle and Lockheed hydraulic drum brakes. Tazio Nuvolari won the 1938 Italian and 1939 Yugoslav Grands Prix, and Hermann Paul Muller the 1939 French Grand Prix.

Variants

How each version differs from the standard Type D.

No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.

03Specifications

Technical specifications

Engine

Engine familyNot yet verified
Engine codeNot yet verified
LayoutMid-mounted longitudinal 60-degree V12, two-stage Roots supercharged2 Independently researched
Displacement 2,986 cc / 3.0 LFactory: 2,986 cc2 Independently researched
BoreNot yet verified
StrokeNot yet verified
Compression ratioNot yet verified
ValvetrainPushrod inlet valves, overhead-camshaft exhaust valves3 Independently researched
Fuel systemTwo Solex carburettors3 Independently researched
InductionTwo-stage Roots supercharger3 Independently researched
Power 362 kW / 492 PSFactory: 485 hp · converted2 Independently researchedSource states bhp (brake horsepower, mechanical).
Power atNot yet verified
TorqueNot yet verified

Transmission & drivetrain

Gearbox5-speed manual, rear-wheel drive2 Independently researched
GearsNot yet verified
Driven wheelsNot yet verified

Chassis, body & dimensions

ChassisNot yet verified
Front suspensionTrailing links with transverse torsion bar, Fichtel & Sachs hydraulic dampers3 Independently researched
Rear suspensionDe Dion axle with radius arms, friction dampers3 Independently researched
BrakesLockheed hydraulic drums3 Independently researched
SteeringWorm and rocker shaft3 Independently researched
Body constructionNot yet verified
MaterialsAluminium and magnesium3 Independently researched
WheelbaseNot yet verified
LengthNot yet verified
WidthNot yet verified
HeightNot yet verified
Front trackNot yet verified
Rear trackNot yet verified
Kerb weightNot yet verified
Dry weightNot yet verified

Performance

Maximum speed 310 km/hFactory: 310 km/h2 Independently researched
0–100 km/hNot yet verified
Fuel tankNot yet verified

“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.

04Colours & options

Factory colours & interiors

Original paint and trim, with the number of cars in each where a source gives it.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Factory options & codes

Codes are shown exactly as written by the manufacturer.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

05Individual cars

Chassis register

Every documented car, with its colours, history and where it is now. Open a row for the full record. Known chassis are not automatically authenticated originals.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Competition history

Every race result of the individual cars, in date order. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Auction & sale history

Documented public sales of the individual cars. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

See one in person

Museums where an example of this car can be seen.

No example is documented on public display yet. Have a source? Contribute it.

06Reference

Identification guide

How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

  1. 1
  2. 2
    Auto Union Type D specifications Level C Ultimatecarpage.com
    • 60° V12, mid-mounted, longitudinal
    • 2,986 cc (182.2 cu in)
    • 485 bhp (362 kW) at 7,000 rpm
    • 5-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
    • 310 km/h (193 mph)
    Accessed 2026-11-11
  3. 3
    1938-39 Auto Union Typ D Level B Supercars.net
    • Pushrod Intake Valves, OHC Exhaust Valves (Specifications)
    • 2 Solex Carburetors (Specifications)
    • Two-Stage Roots Supercharger (Specifications)
    • Trailing Links w/Transverse Torion Bar (Specifications)
    • De-Dion Axle w/Radius arms Friction Dampers (Specifications)
    • Lockhead Hydrualic Drums (Specifications)
    • Worm and Rocker Shaft (Specifications)
    • Aluminum & Magnesium (Specifications)
    Accessed 2026-11-12

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