1936 Wanderer W25 Roadster

In 1932, four independent auto manufacturers came together to form Germany's second-largest automobile manufacturer, named Auto Union. This union between Audi, Horch, Wanderer, and D.K.W. was a merger formed with hopes of riding out Germany's economical problems and surviving this difficult point in history.

Saxony Staatsbank had begun the process with Horch, Audi, and D.K.W. Wanderer was the last to come aboard. This union between these four companies was symbolized by the emblems of the four rings, which can still be seen on Audi automobiles today.

The Auto Union had much success during the 1930s with the Grand Prix racing cars. Drivers such as Bernd Rosemeyer, Tazio Nuvolari, and Hans Stuck piloted the Auto Union vehicles to many victories.

Wanderer's main contribution to the Auto Union company was its Porsche-designed inline six-cylinder engine. The design was lightweight and had interchangeable cylinders. It was constructed in various sizes that included 1.7- and 2.3-liters.

The Wanderer Company officially went out of business due to the onset of World War II. The Siegmar and Schönau plants in Saxony were destroyed and production never resumed.

This 1936 Wanderer W25 Roadster was offered for sale at the 2006 Gooding & Company Auction held in Pebble Beach, Ca. It was estimated to sell for $150,000-$200,000. It is powered by a 1962-cc Overhead Valve six-cylinder engine that produces about 60 horsepower. There is a four-speed manual gearbox and four-wheel hydraulic brakes. The wheelbase is 123 inches and there is seating for two.

The W25 was introduced in 1936 and 149 examples were constructed in its first year. A total of 250 were produced through 1938. Each was handmade and assembled.

The styling of the W25 was a mix of European and American influences. The low-cut doors are reminiscent of the early BMW while other aspects of the vehicle lean more toward American production. The windshield was divided into two separate pieces of glass which was the typical 1930s design.

This vehicle has a two-passenger cockpit finished in red leather. There are three round housings for the vehicle's instrumentation which includes a 120 km/h speedometer. The tachometer is calibrated to 4500 rpm. There are oil and fuel gauges on the right.

This W25 Roadster has been treated to a restoration performed in 1999. After its completion, it was shown at the 1999 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance where it achieved a Second In Class. It received a Blue-Ribbon Class Award at the 2002 Meadow Brook Concours d'Elegance. It was the poster car for the 2002 Greenwich Concours. It has resided in the Audi Corporate Museum in Auburn Hills, Michigan for two years.

At the auction, the Wanderer W25 Roadster finished in silver did find a new owner, though it was below the estimated value. The car was sold for $103,400.

By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2007