Wanderer W25 K “Sport Two-Seater” Project for Restoration
Highlights
Data & Facts
This Automobile
The Wanderer Type W25 K (K for compressor) as a ‘sports two-seater’ – commonly referred to as a roadster – was launched in 1936 as a direct competitor to the BMW 328. As a supercharged model, it remained a true rarity, whose significance is now duly recognised by the sophisticated collector scene – especially when it comes to original examples.
Rarely the history of a pre-war automobile can be traced as accurately and completely as in the case of this example. This Wanderer W25 K ‘Sport Two-Seater’ was completed by AUTO UNION in Chemnitz in December 1936 and delivered to its first owner in Iserlohn (Germany). The first vehicle registration certificate is available as an original document. It also shows four further owners in Germany until 1955. The car was then sold to Sweden, where it remained for the next 50 years. The last owner purchased the car from its Swedish owner about 20 years ago and drove it to Norway on its own axles.
By chance and with a little luck, we had the extremely rare opportunity to discover this example as one more original Wanderer W25 K for the well-versed collector and enthusiast community. Its completeness and originality make it particularly suitable for a restoration. For those who would like to enjoy accompanying a restoration, this car is a perfect occasion. This would allow to look forward to the completion of this rare and significant German pre-war automobile and also provides the opportunity to finalise the car according to your own taste.
The leather seats are still in good condition today and we would not replace their covers. They proudly bear the patina of around 90 years and make this example a living and authentic witness to its long life. The car is supplied with a brand-new cylinder head with camshaft and several chrome parts.
Model History
By joining the Auto Union in 1932, the Wanderer company managed to solve its financial problems, which had been causing it difficulties since the end of the 1920s. Four years later, it launched one of the greatest roadsters of the time – now thanks to sufficient funds for the development of new projects.
In the spring of 1936, Auto Union presented the Wanderer W25 K Sport Two-Seater with supercharger at the International Automobile and Motorbike Exhibition in Berlin – a powerful, compact and very attractive roadster that was also intended to enhance Auto Union's sporty image in the production models. The same model was also available as a two-seater convertible with larger doors, crank windows and a weatherproof folding top.
The 2-litre six-cylinder in-line engine was a construction by none other than Ferdinand Porsche. The engine was combined with a four-speed manual gearbox and drove the rear wheels. In the standard version, the engine offered 40 hp. Its power was then increased to 85 hp by a volumetric Roots compressor, a modified cylinder head, two Solex carburettors and an adapted sports exhaust. The W25 K was the only Wanderer model to be fitted with an engine casing made of light metal. Thus, the engine produced 85 hp and allowed a top speed of 150 km/h. As a result, the W25 K had 5 hp more output than its direct competitor, the BMW 328.
The car's chassis was based on a frame with longitudinal and transverse steel beams and used four ATE Lockheed hydraulic drums as a braking system. Equipped with a proven floating axle, the sophisticated chassis provided excellent road holding. Despite initial considerations, the car was not used in motorsport events by the factory.
In 1938, production of the W25 ended after a total of 258 vehicles (roadster and cabriolet), the last 37 of which were delivered without a supercharger. Today, collectors worldwide are delighted by the interesting technology, the timelessly beautiful design and the sporty handling of the compact roadster.
This Automobile
The Wanderer Type W25 K (K for compressor) as a ‘sports two-seater’ – commonly referred to as a roadster – was launched in 1936 as a direct competitor to the BMW 328. As a supercharged model, it remained a true rarity, whose significance is now duly recognised by the sophisticated collector scene – especially when it comes to original examples.
Rarely the history of a pre-war automobile can be traced as accurately and completely as in the case of this example. This Wanderer W25 K ‘Sport Two-Seater’ was completed by AUTO UNION in Chemnitz in December 1936 and delivered to its first owner in Iserlohn (Germany). The first vehicle registration certificate is available as an original document. It also shows four further owners in Germany until 1955. The car was then sold to Sweden, where it remained for the next 50 years. The last owner purchased the car from its Swedish owner about 20 years ago and drove it to Norway on its own axles.
By chance and with a little luck, we had the extremely rare opportunity to discover this example as one more original Wanderer W25 K for the well-versed collector and enthusiast community. Its completeness and originality make it particularly suitable for a restoration. For those who would like to enjoy accompanying a restoration, this car is a perfect occasion. This would allow to look forward to the completion of this rare and significant German pre-war automobile and also provides the opportunity to finalise the car according to your own taste.
The leather seats are still in good condition today and we would not replace their covers. They proudly bear the patina of around 90 years and make this example a living and authentic witness to its long life.
The car is supplied with a brand-new cylinder head with camshaft and several chrome parts.
Model History
By joining the Auto Union in 1932, the Wanderer company managed to solve its financial problems, which had been causing it difficulties since the end of the 1920s. Four years later, it launched one of the greatest roadsters of the time – now thanks to sufficient funds for the development of new projects.
In the spring of 1936, Auto Union presented the Wanderer W25 K Sport Two-Seater with supercharger at the International Automobile and Motorbike Exhibition in Berlin – a powerful, compact and very attractive roadster that was also intended to enhance Auto Union's sporty image in the production models. The same model was also available as a two-seater convertible with larger doors, crank windows and a weatherproof folding top.
The 2-litre six-cylinder in-line engine was a construction by none other than Ferdinand Porsche. The engine was combined with a four-speed manual gearbox and drove the rear wheels. In the standard version, the engine offered 40 hp. Its power was then increased to 85 hp by a volumetric Roots compressor, a modified cylinder head, two Solex carburettors and an adapted sports exhaust. The W25 K was the only Wanderer model to be fitted with an engine casing made of light metal. Thus, the engine produced 85 hp and allowed a top speed of 150 km/h. As a result, the W25 K had 5 hp more output than its direct competitor, the BMW 328.
The car's chassis was based on a frame with longitudinal and transverse steel beams and used four ATE Lockheed hydraulic drums as a braking system. Equipped with a proven floating axle, the sophisticated chassis provided excellent road holding. Despite initial considerations, the car was not used in motorsport events by the factory.
In 1938, production of the W25 ended after a total of 258 vehicles (roadster and cabriolet), the last 37 of which were delivered without a supercharger. Today, collectors worldwide are delighted by the interesting technology, the timelessly beautiful design and the sporty handling of the compact roadster.