Auto Union Type C Streamliner by Schuco – Model Car Profile 

The Schuco Rennsport-Legenden Auto Union Type C Stromlinien wagen (Stream-line car) is a leap back to the way toys were produced before 1960, to the days when Schuco was producing a variety of wind-up cars and motorcycles. 

The Studio Series of tin toys brings back the tin wind-up toys of yesteryear in limited numbers aimed at today’s toy collectors.  These tin mechanical wonders in small scale began with the classic “Midget Racer” wind-up clock-spring powered toy.

The series has since grown to include this tin model, a scale replica of Luigi Fagioli’s 1937 V-16 Auto Union Type C Streamliner (Studio VI).       

The first thing that really awes you is the packaging. There is a cardboard slipcover with a nice picture of Luigi Fagioli running the V-16 Type C Streamliner at Avus in 1937.  Once the slipcover is removed, the red box is split and hinged at the rear.  Opening the box reveals the scale streamliner on a banked cardboard stand decorated to replicate the oval track at Avus that saw the Silver Arrows fight for so many high speed records throughout the 1930s.  On the box lid is again the same photo of Fagioli taking a line at Avus on the way to setting a record for the Auto Union team. 

It is the scale tin replica of the number 33 machine that captures complete attention upon opening the box.  The car looks as if it is truly from another world, something many must have thought who would have been present for any of the high speed record attempts held in Germany during the 1930s.  The bright liquid silver metallic paint is of high quality, and eight small exhaust pipes appear on each side of the engine cover to reiterate that this model replicates one of the most fascinating cars of all time.  While no scale is given on the box, the streamliner measures out to be roughly 9 inches long, 4 inches wide, and nearly 3 inches tall at the highest point of the body work.  The markings are of the highest quality, and the cockpit of the car is visible to reveal a brown plastic finish with decals in place to replicate the gauges.  The steering wheel is black in finish and is true to the vintage four spoke design. 

Upon raising the car out of the main box, one finds a variety of accessory components that accompany the tin toy under the banked cardboard stand. These include a driver figure cast in what appears to be a resin material painted to the period specification, with white leather helmet and brown gloves.  The figure’s hands are pre-positioned to “hold” the steering wheel in place while the car is under power.  Also present is a set of tools which include a hammer, a combination wrench, another wrench with a pry bar-like end to remove the wheel covers; and the most important tool of the bunch, the hand crank to insert into the right side of the body just in front of the right rear wheel to wind the spring to give the car power. You also receive a nostalgic set of directions, all in German, just the way you would have in the 1930s. 

Returning to the car, upon inverting the replica to remove it from the cardboard stand, you find that the factory has also included a metal pit stand. The car is rather light, and feels very much like the old toys that were constructed during the classic era of the 1930s and 1940s.  Looking behind the wheel covers, one notices the painted tin wheels done up to recreate the wire wheels used on the original Type C. Just like the real car, these wheels are removable once the covers are taken off, by using the tools that come with the replica. The tires are of grooved rubber construction and even bear the "Fulda" brand name.  The under side of the car is flat and has graphics to show different mechanical aspects, and also bears the three "mythical" words: “Made In Germany”.  

The most fascinating aspect is the window in the rear under panel that allows you to view the differential. Once the spring motor is wound, power is ransferred to the rear wheels via a gear set that turns an exposed working differential. The differential sends the power out to the rear wheels just like a genuine car. Rear suspension is carried out by a swing axle, just as Dr. Porsche’s Type C utilized seventy plus years ago. 

SCHUCO has produced only 1.000 examples of this fantastic model (see Certificate in the foto).

The car is in like new condition (it was always held on a shelf).

Shipping only to UE Countries, USA and CANADA by FEDEX Priority express courier free of charge.  

CUSTOMS DUTIES AND TAXES OUTSIDE UE COUNTRIES: 

Import duties, taxes and charges are NOT included in the item price or in the shipping cost: these charges are the Buyer's charge and responsibility. Please check with your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs will be, prior to bidding or buying.