Vehicle Description
As demand for sporting, high-performance cars rose dramatically in
Germany during the 1930s, BMW led the way with their 328, which
proved formidable in club racing and remains one of the most
successful German racing cars of the prewar era. Wanderer, part of
the Auto Union group including Audi, DKW, and Horch, was one of
BMW's chief rivals and they too wanted a share of this increasingly
popular market. Accordingly, Wanderer commissioned none other than
Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche GmbH to develop its new sports car. Using
Wanderer's robust alloy-block, 2-liter OHV inline-six as a basis,
Dr. Porsche added a supercharger, boosting output to a healthy 85
horsepower. The rest of the new sporting model, dubbed W25 K ('K'
for Kompressor or supercharger), was impressively designed with the
latest sporting technology. The box-section chassis featured
independent front suspension, four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes, and
a four-speed manual gearbox. For coachwork, Wanderer contracted
with Wendler Karrosserie to create the beautifully flowing bodies,
including a cabriolet and svelte two-seat roadster. The latter was
about 150 pounds lighter, making it the natural choice for the
serious sporting driver. The W25 K nearly achieved its goal of
going head-to-head with BMW's 328, as it was very similar in size
and power. While the slightly heavier Wanderer couldn't quite match
the performance of its Bavarian counterpart, it was still a
marvelous sports car, with the cachet of a brilliant supercharged
engine from the pen of the great Ferdinand Porsche. Post-war, Auto
Union's factories fell under Eastern control and while Audi and DKW
survived, Horch and Wanderer were no more. Surviving examples are
highly prized by preeminent collectors, including Peter Mullin,
whose W25 K Roadster has the distinction of being the only German
car within his world-class automobile museum. Offering a
significant opportunity to collectors seeking an extremely rare and
compelling prewar German sports car, this 1936 Wanderer W25 K
Roadster is one of only a handful of known survivors remaining from
the limited 258-car run produced between 1936 and 1938. Previously
under single-family ownership since 1962, the Wanderer was last
road-registered in 1965 and placed into dry storage, with the
Virginia registration plates and inspection sticker still affixed
to the vehicle. While requiring restoration, this Wanderer is
simply a fabulous example throughout, being solid, sound, and
exceptionally complete. Importantly, while the engine is not
running at present, it has been found to turn freely and develops
oil pressure. The supercharger is not currently installed, but it
and the original carburetor and intake manifold do accompany the
sale of the vehicle. Sure to be a welcome entrant to any concours
d'Elegance and classic touring event you should ever care to
participate in, this 1936 Wanderer W25 K offers an extremely
compelling opportunity to restore and enjoy a great and truly rare
prewar sports car. Renowned among knowledgeable collectors for its
prodigious performance, this Wanderer will also be a true standout
wherever it should travel with its unforgettable exhaust note from
the uprated engine tuned by Dr. Ferdinand Porsche. Offers welcome
and trades considered For additional details please view this
listing directly on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/7573-1936-wanderer-w25k-roadster/
