Audi Type SS

Convertible / Roadster 1929–1933 ~55–60 PS Petrol

The Audi Type SS was the performance flagship of the late pre-merger era — Audi's most sporting and powerful model before the 1932 Auto Union consolidation, offering open-top high-performance motoring to buyers who wanted the fastest Audi of its time in a period when German sporting cars were approaching their pre-war peak.

~60

Horsepower (~60 PS peak)

~20s

0–100 km/h (est.)

~110km/h

Top Speed

1929

Year Introduced

Overview

The Audi Type SS — the "Super Sport" — was introduced in 1929 as Audi's definitive performance model of the late pre-merger era, representing the highest-output and most sporting configuration in the brand's final pre-Auto Union range. Produced in open-top roadster and cabriolet body styles, the Type SS used a larger engine and higher-state-of-tune specification than the standard touring models, targeting buyers who wanted the fastest, most exciting Audi available at a time when German sporting cars were approaching the peak of pre-war development. The Type SS competed directly with sporting offerings from other quality German manufacturers — including Horch's more powerful range, the Mercedes-Benz models, and Wanderer's sporting variants — in a market segment that prized performance, open-top style, and engineering cachet.

The late 1920s was a remarkable period for German open-top sporting cars. The relative prosperity of the "Golden Twenties" had created a buyer class with the means and the appetite for performance, and the Weimar Republic's briefly tolerant environment for luxury products supported a flourishing market for sporting convertibles and roadsters. The Type SS existed in this context — a period when German engineering had advanced sufficiently to produce genuinely fast and capable sporting cars, before the Depression years and the political changes of the 1930s swept away both the prosperity and the market that had sustained them. The Type SS was produced through the transition into the Depression years (from 1929) and through the Auto Union merger of 1932, continuing briefly into the consolidated entity before being superseded by successor models.

The Type SS's place in Audi's history is as the performance peak of the pre-merger brand — the car that most directly carried forward the sporting spirit of the Type C Alpensieger into the late 1920s. Where the Type C had proven itself through competition victories, the Type SS demonstrated Audi's sporting capability through open-road performance and the visual drama of its sporting body styles. Any surviving Type SS would be among the most historically significant and collectible pre-war Audi models, representing both the engineering capability and the sporting ambition of the brand at its pre-war maximum.

Type SS in Pictures

Visual references for exterior styling, cabin design, and key details. Images fall back gracefully on load error.

The Auto Union four rings — the merged identity of Audi, DKW, Horch, and Wanderer from 1932. The Type SS was among the final and most sporting pre-merger Audi models, produced both before and briefly after the Auto Union consolidation, representing the high-performance peak of the classical Audi type-series.

The Audi factory in Zwickau — production home of the Type SS. By 1929, Zwickau was producing one of Germany's most complete ranges of quality automobiles, from the economy-oriented smaller models to the sporting Type SS that appealed to buyers seeking performance and open-top style.

August Horch — who had left Audi by 1920 but whose engineering legacy shaped the brand's sporting ambitions through the 1920s. The Type SS continued the competition spirit that Horch had instilled from the Type C Alpensieger days, representing Audi's commitment to high-performance models alongside its regular touring car range.

The Audi open-top heritage — from the very first Type A through to the Type SS, Audi maintained a commitment to sporting open-top body styles that demonstrated engineering capability. The Type SS carried this tradition forward into the late 1920s and early 1930s with enhanced power and a specifically sporting character.

Key Specifications

Body: 2-seat Roadster or 4-seat Cabriolet — open-top sporting body styles; "SS" designation indicates Super Sport performance specification
Engine: ~3.0L+ inline-4 or 6-cylinder — approximately 55–60 PS in peak specification; higher output than standard touring models through engine tuning and carburation
Gearbox: 4-speed manual — the sporting specification may include closer gear ratios than standard touring models to better exploit the engine's performance characteristics
0–100 km/h: approx. 18–22 s | Top speed: approx. 105–115 km/h — impressive high-speed performance for a late-1920s open-top sporting car
Suspension: Semi-elliptic leaf springs with hydraulic dampers — performance-tuned specification compared to standard touring models; improved response under sporting driving conditions
Brakes: Four-wheel mechanical drum brakes — essential for the Type SS's performance capability; larger and more powerful than the brakes used on smaller or lower-performance type-series models
Drive: Rear-wheel drive — shaft final drive to live rear axle; performance-oriented final drive ratio compared to standard touring specification for better high-speed capability
Production: 1929–1933 | Manufacturer: Audi Automobilwerk GmbH / Auto Union AG, Zwickau | Significance: Pre-war performance flagship; the sporting apex of the classical Audi type-series

Variant Comparison

Variant	Engine	Power	Drive	Best For
Type SS Roadster	3.0L+ inline-4 or 6-cyl	~55–60 PS	RWD	Maximum sporting experience — the 2-seat Roadster specification offers the most direct and immediate driving connection, with the minimum weight and maximum performance focus that the "Super Sport" designation implies
Type SS Cabriolet	3.0L+ inline-4 or 6-cyl	~55–60 PS	RWD	Accompanied sporting touring — the 4-seat Cabriolet provides rear passenger accommodation while maintaining the open-top character; appropriate for buyers who want to share the Type SS experience with a passenger
Type SS Sport Special	High-tune spec	~60 PS	RWD	Collector maximum value — the highest-specification engine combined with the rarest body style and the most complete documentation represents the most desirable Type SS configuration for collector purposes

Competitor Snapshot

Model	Strength	Compromise
Horch 375 Sport (1930)	The Horch 375 Sport (1930) offered higher displacement, greater power output, and the significant prestige advantage of the Horch brand name — the brand August Horch had founded before Audi and which sat above Audi in the Auto Union hierarchy; for buyers who wanted the absolute best performance money could buy, the Horch was the obvious choice	The Horch 375 Sport was substantially more expensive than the Audi Type SS, making it accessible only to the wealthiest buyers; the Type SS offered genuine sporting performance at a more accessible price point for buyers who wanted high performance without the Horch's price premium
Mercedes-Benz SSK (1929)	The Mercedes-Benz SSK (1929) was arguably the greatest German sporting car of the late 1920s — supercharged, enormously powerful, capable of over 190 km/h, and carrying the most prestigious German automotive brand; it was in a different performance class entirely from the Type SS	The Mercedes-Benz SSK was vastly more expensive than the Audi Type SS and was produced in tiny numbers for the very wealthiest buyers; it occupied an entirely different market segment, making direct comparison somewhat artificial — the SSK was a racing car adapted for the road, while the Type SS was a refined sporting touring car
Wanderer W10 Sport (1930)	The Wanderer W10 Sport (1930) offered a competitive six-cylinder sporting package from the brand that would become Audi's Auto Union partner — similar quality positioning, comparable engineering approach, and reasonable performance in a well-finished package	The Wanderer W10 Sport was less powerful and less visually dramatic than the Audi Type SS, and lacked the Alpensieger competition heritage that gave Audi's sporting models their particular identity; the Type SS offered more performance and more exciting character at a similar price point

Cost-of-Ownership Estimator (Azerbaijan)

Annual distance (km)Fuel consumption (L/100km)Fuel price ($/L)Annual service budget ($)Annual insurance ($)Annual tires ($)

Annual fuel use: 34 litres
Annual fuel cost: $22
Total yearly estimate: $22022
Monthly average: $1835

The Audi Type SS is among the most historically significant and rarest of all pre-war Audi models; any example requires comprehensive authentication and the most thorough possible provenance verification before any consideration, given the combination of extreme rarity, high collector interest, and limited surviving documentation.
The higher-performance engine of the Type SS presents particular restoration challenges — the higher-output specification means closer manufacturing tolerances, specific component specifications, and more demanding operating conditions that require specialist knowledge of pre-war German high-performance engine rebuilding.
Operating the Type SS requires ethanol-free petrol, period monograde oil, comprehensive chassis lubrication before use, and access to specialists with specific knowledge of late Weimar Republic Audi engineering — a combination that is challenging to assemble in Azerbaijan but not impossible through specialist classic car clubs and Audi heritage resources.

Maintenance & Service in Azerbaijan

High-performance engine oil maintenance — the Type SS's higher-output engine requires period SAE 30 monograde mineral oil that is compatible with its closer-tolerance bearing surfaces; change every 1,000 km or annually, and check oil pressure before and during every operational period.
Carburation calibration for the performance specification — the Type SS's higher-output carburation requires more precise setting than standard touring models; annual carburation inspection and adjustment by a specialist vintage engine tuner is required to maintain correct performance and prevent richness or leanness that damages the engine.
Convertible hood maintenance — the Type SS's roadster or cabriolet hood requires periodic waterproofing treatment, careful storage to prevent material deterioration, and specialist hood restorer involvement for any repair work; the hood's condition is a significant factor in both preservation and historical authenticity.
Fuel system with ethanol-free petrol only — the Type SS's performance carburation is particularly sensitive to fuel specification; modern E10 petrol causes carburettor damage and fuel delivery problems that are especially harmful to a high-output pre-war engine. Source only specialist classic car or aviation fuel.
Chassis lubrication and inspection for a sporting car — the Type SS's performance use places greater dynamic loads on chassis joints, wheel bearings, and suspension components than touring use; all lubrication points must be serviced before every operational period, and the chassis should be inspected periodically for fatigue damage.

Used Type SS Buying Checklist

Authentication — the Type SS's status as Audi's pre-war performance flagship makes it the most likely target for misrepresentation or assembly from non-original components; comprehensive factory documentation, chassis number verification, and specialist pre-war Audi authentication is essential before any purchase.
High-performance engine condition — the Type SS's engine should be assessed specifically for signs of performance-related wear: carbon build-up, overheating history, piston ring condition, and bearing clearances that may be tighter than standard touring engine tolerances.
Sporting body condition — the Type SS's roadster or cabriolet body requires specialist assessment for structural integrity of the ash wood framing, hood mechanism condition, and the authenticity of the body style (whether roadster or cabriolet) against available documentation.
Drivetrain condition for performance specification — the Type SS's gearbox, propeller shaft, and rear axle must be assessed for condition under performance loads; worn components in a sporting car may only reveal themselves under driving conditions rather than static assessment.
Completeness and originality of performance components — the Type SS's higher-specification engine, carburation, and chassis components should be verified as original rather than replaced with standard touring parts; performance specification completeness is critical to both authenticity and collector value.
Import and historic vehicle registration in Azerbaijan — the Type SS requires historic vehicle customs classification and appropriate historic vehicle registration; the open-top body requires specialist weather protection for storage in Azerbaijan's continental climate.

Type SS FAQ — Azerbaijan Buyers

Q: What does "SS" mean in the context of the Audi Type SS?

The "SS" in the Audi Type SS designation stands for "Super Sport" — a term widely used in the German and European automotive industry of the late 1920s to designate the highest-performance variant of a manufacturer's range. The "Super Sport" designation indicated a combination of larger or higher-tuned engine, more sporting body styles (typically open-top), and chassis tuning optimised for performance rather than comfort. The same convention was used by other German manufacturers of the era — the Mercedes-Benz SS and SSK models of 1928–1932 used exactly the same "Super Sport" designation principle. In the context of the Audi range, the Type SS represented the performance apex in the same way that the RS designation functions in the modern Audi range.

Q: How did the Type SS relate to the Type C Alpensieger?

The Type C Alpensieger (1912–1914) and the Type SS (1929–1933) represent two peaks of Audi's pre-war sporting ambition, separated by fifteen years of development and by the complete disruption of the First World War. The Type C proved its performance through competition victory — three consecutive Austrian Alpine Trial wins — while the Type SS demonstrated its sporting character through open-road capability and the visual drama of its body styles rather than formal competition. Both cars carried the same underlying message: that Audi's engineering was capable of producing genuinely fast and capable automobiles, not merely refined touring cars. The quattro of the 1980s would eventually revive and surpass both cars' sporting credentials through the equally dramatic medium of rally competition.

Q: Who were the typical customers for the Type SS?

The Type SS was targeted at the same upper-middle and upper-class buyers who had always been Audi's core customers, but specifically those who placed particular value on performance, open-top style, and the excitement of driving a genuinely fast car. In the late 1920s, this might include prosperous businessmen who enjoyed driving for pleasure, sporting-minded professionals who followed motorsport and wanted a connection to that world, and style-conscious buyers who wanted the most dramatic and impressive Audi available. The Type SS was never an affordable car — its higher specification commanded a premium over the standard touring models — but its customers were buying into a particular vision of automotive excitement that the more conservative touring variants could not provide.

Q: Did the Type SS continue under Auto Union after the 1932 merger?

The Type SS production appears to have continued into the early Auto Union period after the 1932 merger, as the new consolidated company worked through the existing model range while developing successor products. The transition from independent Audi to Auto Union Audi brought changes to the model range's structure and pricing, and the sporting models were gradually replaced by new Auto Union Audi designs that reflected the merged company's rationalised development programme. The specific Type SS designation was not carried forward into the post-merger era, but the sporting tradition it represented continued through subsequent Audi models within the Auto Union range.

Q: What is the most direct modern equivalent to the Type SS?

The Type SS's role as Audi's highest-performance open-top sporting model finds its most direct modern equivalent in the Audi RS 5 Cabriolet or the TT Roadster — both of which represent the combination of open-top body style and highest-available performance that the "Super Sport" designation implied in 1929. The RS 5 Cabriolet in particular shares the Type SS's proposition of a four-seat convertible with performance-engine specification, while the TT Roadster is the more direct roadster equivalent. For the spirit of the Type SS — the best-performing Audi available in the most exciting body style — these modern cars carry forward the same fundamental proposition that the Type SS embodied at the pre-war peak of the brand.

Should You Buy the Audi Type SS?

The Audi Type SS is the pre-war performance pinnacle — the Super Sport flagship that demonstrated Audi's sporting ambition in its most direct form before the 1932 Auto Union merger transformed the brand's identity.

For Azerbaijani automotive enthusiasts, the Audi Type SS represents the sporting soul that has always been present beneath Audi's refined engineering surface. From the Type C Alpensieger through the Type SS to the quattro and beyond, there is an unbroken thread of performance ambition running through the Audi brand — a refusal to be merely competent when excellence is possible. The Type SS is too rare and too historically important for conventional ownership consideration, but its spirit lives on in every RS-badged Audi produced today. For Azerbaijani buyers who want to drive something that captures the Type SS's combination of performance, open-top drama, and Audi engineering, the RS 5 Cabriolet delivers everything the Type SS promised and dramatically more besides.