Sindey got Goolsbee'd talking about "Chuckable" cars'n'bikes ;-) ... starting with my Porsche and bike roots.
>> In choosing this abbreviation Audi refers to their company >> history: NSU and DKW merged into Audi in the early seventies, Close, in a "roundabout" way. Actually Audi was integrated into VW in 1969. > > I am pretty positive that it was older than the 1970s. Chuck is exactly right. But Edgar has a good part of history straight too. > > I thought the "Auto Union" was formed in the late 1920s/early 30's as > a combination of four companies, hence the quad ring logo. Audi starts as NSU in 1873, w/Audi name first registered in 1910. DKW already had 15000 workers by 1927, but the 1929 crash forced a merger into Auto Union AG. The 4-rings then proceeded to wipe the floor (track) w/others. > > I *know* I have seen photos of Audi racing cars beating Mercedes' > (both being elegant silver open wheelers) in the 1930's at the old > Nurburgring. For Auto Union (AU), one Dr. F. Porsche started the Beetle w/NSU as the Typ 32 & then, in parallel, evolved the mighty AU racers by 1936 into a 6L V16 putting out 520 bhp to beat Mercedes at the old 14.6 mile Nurburgring (wadda a FAB track!!!) & elsewhere. The aero AU in 1937 topped 405 kmh (251 mph) driven by the legendary Bernd Rosenmeyer! These were incredible silver beauties. Post war, the DKW part ran 500cc bikes up to 290 kmh (180 mph) in 1951! They also won successive twin 125cc & 250cc titles running up to 15000 rpm (also winning the Manx Tourist Trophy in 1953, hence TT moniker--Edgar is spot on w/the rest) & set an absolute speed record of 339 kmh (211 mph!). In 1956 DKW made 350000 motorcycles, all of which MB Daimler-Benz killed in 1958 when they bought 88% of AU & resold to VW in 1965. VW then decided to promote the Audi name, formally integrated the group in 1969 & the rest is history. A number of these companies survived the early post war years working for the USA military, and BMW took longer to get going because they had to rebuild after fleeing East Germany. The full story of German automotive history is as fascinating as it is convoluted. > > Sindey should be able to clarify as I do know he is an Audi nut. =) > -- A great & *still* underrated car in a strictly off topic short story for the car nuts among us computing freaks. I was perfectly content to let Brandy's explanation stand w/o comment. :-) Sidney Ho ---------- Duo/2400 List, The friendliest place on the Net! A listserv for users and fans of Mac subportables. FAQ at <http://www.themacintoshguy.com/lists/DuoListFAQ.shtml> Be sure to visit Mac2400! <http://www.sineware.com/mac2400> To unsubscribe, E-mail to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To switch to the DIGEST mode, E-mail to <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Need help from a real person? Try. <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> ---------- Dr. Bott | 10/100 Ethernet for your 2400 is finally here! MPC-100 | <http://www.drbott.com/prod/mpc100.html> RoadTools $30 PodiumPad available at Apple retail stores, $20 Traveler CoolPad at Staples. Both in white for iBooks at <http://roadtools.com> Midwest Mac Parts ][ <http://www.midwestmac.com> After-market parts for Macs. ][ 888-356-1104 ][ MacResQ Specials: LaCie SCSI CDR From $99! PowerBook 3400/200 Only $879! Norton AntiVirus 6 Only $19! We Stock PARTS! <http://www.macresq.com>
