Audi

D, 1910 – 1939

Audi Automobilwerke GmbH, Zwickau/Sachsen, 1910 – 1939

After leaving the firm A. Horch, which he had founded, August Horch started a new company in 1909 which he at first named August Horch Automobilwerke GmbH, also in Zwickau. He was not allowed to use his own name for the new company, however, so he chose the name ‘Audi’ which is the latinized form of Horch. The first Audi for sale was the B 10/28ps with a 2.612cc engine which appeared in 1910, and was an immediate success. In the Austrian Alpine Trials in 1911 Horch himself drove one of these Audi cars without incurring any penalty points. He was also successful with the same type Audi in the same event in 1912. In 1912 the Audi Type C 14/35ps appeared. In a short-wheelbase version, it became a very well-known completion car and was called the Alpensieger because of its successes in the Austrian Alpine Trials of 1913 and 1914. Other pre-World War 1 Audi models were the Audi D 18/45ps and the Audi E 22/50ps. After the war the Audi G 8/28ps appeared as a new model and types C, D and E were carried were carried on. The 1922 ohv Audi type K succeeded the C, the 3.5-litre engine developing 50bhp. With the type Audi M 18/70ps ohc 6-cylinder of 1924 Audi started a range of 6- and 8-cylinder cars. The 1928 type Audi R or Audi Imperator 8-cylinder model for sale with a 4.872cc 100bhp engine was the last true Audi; all the following Audi-models were to some extent assembled cars.

J.S. Rasmussen became the main shareholder of Audi in 1928. He had acquired Rickenbacker machinery lines from the USA and engines of Rickenbacker type were fitted to the Zwickau (8-cylinder 4.371cc and 5130cc) and Dresden (6-cylinder 3.838cc) models. In 1931 a small Audi with 4-cylinder 1.1-litre Peugeot engine and D.K.W. chassis appeared. In 1932 Audi became a member of the Auto Union together with Wanderer, Horch and D.K.W. Two front-driven models (UW and 225) followed with 6-cylinder Wanderer engines. The last pre-war Audi was the Audi Type 920, rear-driven again and with 6-cylinder 3.281cc engine.

The Audi factory and the other Auto Union production plants were nationalized in 1945. 

Source: Georgano, encyclopedia of motorcar; HON

The information is written with the greatest of care. However, if you have any suggested amendments please contact us at office@prewarcar.com

Hansa

D, 1906 – 1939

(1) Hansa Automobil – Gesellschaft mbH, Varel, 1906 – 1914, Bielefeld, 1913 – 1914

(2) Hansa-Lloyd-Werke AG, Varel, 1914 – 1929, Bremen, 1929 – 1931

(3) Hansa-Lloyd und Goliath-Werke Borgward & Tecklenborg, Bremen, 1931 – 1937

(4) Hansa Lloyd-Goliath-Werke Carl F.W. Borgward, Bremen, 1937 – 1939

The Hansa works were founded with the intention of producing small cars. The first was a Hansa 7/9ps car with a single-cylinder 720cc De Dion engine based on the French Alcyon. The Hansa appeared in 1906, and was sold under the name HAG. After a few more models with proprietary engines such as Fafnir the Hansa 6/14ps appeared in 1907 with a 4-cylinder engine of the Hansa company’s own design. A wide range of models was offered during the following years. Among them were the Hansa Types D (10/30PS, 2.612cc) and Hansa E (15/50PS, 3.815cc) of 1911 with overhead valves, a feature which was rare at that time. Hansa cars were produced in considerable numbers and Hansa cars were renowned for their high technical standard and their good workmanship.

In 1913 Hansa took over the Westfalia works at Bielefeld and Hansa cars were built there in 1913 and 1914. The Hansa Type F (2.515cc) took part successfully in the 1914 Austrian Alpine Trial. In 1914 Hansa merged with Lloyd, the firm adopting the name Hansa-Lloyd. The production of Hansa cars was carried on until World War 1. After the war Hansa concentrated on light and medium-sized cars which were marketed as Hansa. The Lloyd factory specialized in the heavier cars and commercials, which were sold as Hansa-Lloyds. Post-war models were the Hansa P 8/36PS with a 4-cylinder 2.063cc engine, also available in a short-wheelbase sports version, and two cars, a 13/60PS (6-cylinder, 3.262cc) and a 16/70PS (8-cylinder, 3.996cc) which were equipped with American Continental engines.

In 1929 Hansa was taken over by Borgward-Goliath. Production in the Varel works ceased and Hansa private cars were subsequently built only in Bremen. The Hansa Konsul, Hansa Senator, Hansa Matador and Hansa Imperator were family and prestige cars with 4-, 6-, and 8-cylinder engines with capacities up to 5.8-litres and outputs to 100bhp. The 3.2-litre Hansa Senator was an unusually large four for the period, and the Hansa Matador had a 2.6-litre Continental engine, and the combination of independent rear suspension and a backbone frame. In 1933 the small Hansa 400 was introduced. It had a 2-cylinder 2-stroke rear engine of 400cc and was later available with a 500cc engine. A new model, the Hansa 1100, with all independent suspension appeared in 1934. It was in production until 1939 and became very popular. Other models were the 6-cylinder ‘Hansa 1700’ (also available in a twin-carburettor sports version), the ‘Hansa 2000’ and the ‘Hansa 3500’ Privat.

After 1938 Hansa cars were marketed as Borgwards. In 1958 the Hansa name was revived for the flat-four Goliath; it had previously been used as a type name for some Borgwards.

Source: Georgano, encyclopedia of motorcar; HON

The information is written with the greatest of care. However, if you have any suggested amendments please contact us at office@prewarcar.com