Ford V8 Berlin-Rome Prototype 1938

Ford V8 Berlin-Rome Prototype 1938 by Autocult

The unknown Car  

In the German history of Ford, there is a car about which historians remained silent as yet. Apart from two contemporary photos, there are no literary documents about the prototype, which was set on wheels for the big advertised, but never held, long distance race from Berlin to Rome in the autumn of 1938. Since the regulations for this prestigious race, which was initiated by the highest authorities, only allowed cars built between 1936 and 1938, the participating manufacturers created extra-fast passenger cars within a short time. As the major part of the competition should took place on the political flagship project of the “autobahn”, a powerful engine and an aerodynamic body were the top priority. While the assembled cars of Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Auto-Union, and above all Porsche are well known, the car planned by Ford Germany fell completely into oblivion.   The car was powered by a powerful V8 engine. Regarding the bodywork, the Cologne-based company relied on the cooperation with the company ‘Karosseriewerk Weidenhausen’ from Frankfurt. Probably at the beginning of 1938, the order of an extremely aerodynamic body for the car with which Ford planned to participate in the prestigious German/Italian long-distance race was placed. Influenced by the current findings of vehicle aerodynamics at the time, Karl Weidenhausen designed a teardrop-shaped look. The interior offered space for only two passengers; driver and co-driver. Striking for the car body design was the most widely abandonment of any interruptions in the entire shape. Unfortunately, the prototype did not survive and also historical documents are apparently no longer available. Therefore it also remains questionable how the Cologne company continued to use the sporty two-seater after the long-distance race was cancelled only one week before the planned start on September 26 in 1938 without any explanation.