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Nazi-Era Race Car May Fetch $12-15M

NEW YORK -- A rare Nazi-era race car hidden in a German mine shaft during World War II and said to be worth millions of dollars went on display Thursday.

The sleek silver D-Type from Audi forerunner Auto Union was to be on display for two days at the car company's fancy showroom on Park Avenue. It will be auctioned as part of Christie's Retromobile auto sale on Feb. 17 in Paris and is expected to fetch $12 million to $15 million.

While Adolph Hitler gave about 500,000 reichsmarks to Auto Union and Mercedes-Benz to promote racing and technology, the car is not specifically affiliated with the Third Reich, Christie's said.

The car, one of only two in existence, is thought to be the grandfather of modern race cars. It revolutionized racing by putting the driver in front of the engine instead of behind it and reached speeds up to 185 mph.
Read entire article at AP