Auto Union’s government-funded race cars demonstrated unparalleled levels of technology during the 1930s, battling with Mercedes-Benz for domination of Grands Prix and hillclimbs.

Of all the Auto Unions, the Type C was most significant of all, but just one survived the aftermath of World War Two – it was liberated from Eastern Germany and taken to Russia, where it was dismantled to investigate its construction, and was then due to be scrapped.

It was rescued and later found in the Riga Motor Museum. Audi bought the car from the museum and used it as the basis for a number of stunning recreations, one of which went to Riga. The original was painstakingly restored by the UK’s Crosthwaite & Gardiner, who were also responsible for the recreations.

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