The term “Silver Arrow” is a somewhat generic descriptor for pre-World War II German Grand Prix cars. While many of the Mercedes pre-war racers were saved during and after the Second World War, the same can’t be said of grand prix cars from Auto Union, the forerunner of what we know as Audi today.
Following the war, the surviving Auto Union racers were seized by Russia as spoils of war. Some were lost to history, while others were found in parts after decades of searching. Seeing the Mercedes Silver Arrows run at a car show or historic rally isn’t that uncommon, but seeing a surviving Auto Union Silver Arrow run is a rare sight.
Also, don’t forget that you can get discounted new car pricing with a free quote through qualified local dealer partners.
For this year’s Goodwood Revival, the Earl of March was able to gather the surviving ten Silver Arrow cars from both manufacturers, featuring them in exhibition drives with legends like Jackie Stewart and Jochen Mass at the wheel. As challenging as it may be to drive a modern Formula One car, it takes a special kind of crazy to pilot a 400-horsepower vintage F1 car, with no safety features and skinny bias ply tires, around a track at speed.
Given the priceless and irreplaceable nature of the cars, we doubt that either Mercedes-Benz or Audi will be offering us a drive in a Silver Arrow any time soon.
Kurt Ernst has been passionate about automobiles and driving nearly his entire life. His early years were shaped working in the family service station, though his real passion was auto racing. After graduating from the University of Colorado, Kurt spent a year club racing with the Sports Car Club of America, before focusing on a business career in marketing and project management. Later, his passion for writing and the automotive hobby found him freelancing for a variety of automotive news sites, including Automotive Addicts and Motor Authority, where his work was syndicated and appeared in several national publications. Recognized as an expert in the automotive field, Kurt joined Hemmings Motor News as an Associate Editor in 2013, and in the years since has progressed to Editor, Hemmings Daily; Managing Editor for Hemmings Motor News, Hemmings Classic Car, Hemmings Muscle Machines, and the Hemmings Daily; and now, Managing Editor, Hemmings Auctions. Kurt was instrumental in organizing the Hemmings Motor News Concours d’Elegance from 2013-2019, and has served as a judge at this event and The Vintage Racing Stable Concours d’Elegance. A Skip Barber Racing School graduate and prolific writer, Ernst is also skilled in copyediting, project management, brand development, and public relations.
