Solved: Wendax 1386 - Willi Schuhnagel

[Wendax]

A Silver Arrow in motion.

For one point, please respond and identify the driver.

[Wendax]

up

[Wendax]

up again

[nicanary]

This looks like a high-quality miniature car. Could it have been made by the racing department for one of M-B's directors?

[Wendax]

It is a miniature car, well seen. I don't know who built it. That's the reason why I only asked for the driver. 

[nicanary]

It is a miniature car, well seen. I don't know who built it. That's the reason why I only asked for the driver. 

Did he become famous as a racing driver after WW2 ?

[Wendax]

In a certain way ...

[nicanary]

In a certain way ...

In a certain way may mean he became famous for a specific event. And I reckon he's German.

Hans Herrmann, who was an average GP driver who became famous after wrecking the British Racing Partnership's BRM at Avus ?

[Wendax]

Not Hans Hermann. I think our mystery man reached his peak of popularity by the time this picture was taken.

[nicanary]

Is it a child actor who played the part of a racing driver in a film?

[Wendax]

No

[nicanary]

If he reached his peak of popularity when this picture was taken, he must have been unpopular or deceased by the time he was an adult.

My mind is confused!

If we assume that the car was built and driven at the time this style was "en vogue", it would have been the late 1930s. I can't believe that you would bring politics to this forum, so he surely can't be related to a member of the ruling classes in Germany at that time, can he?

[Wendax]

Later than 1930s, so no problematic political connections involved.

[nicanary]

Later than 1930s, so no problematic political connections involved.

Thank goodness!

Was he a politician in Germany in later life?

[Wendax]

I have to look into my source tonight to see what became of him.

[nicanary]

I have to look into my source tonight to see what became of him.

When you said that this photo was the height of his popularity, the only people who are universally disliked as adults are politicians!

Sorry, I thought that was a clue from you. I'll have to start again.

Is he German?

[targhediferro]

I try another path...is this picture taken in a famous racefield, perhaps Nurburgring?

[Wendax]

I don't know where the picture was taken, but he appeared at several racetracks. I don't know either what became of him. The latest info I have is from 1955. And yes, he is German.

[targhediferro]

Perhaps a Sachs engine?

[4popoid]

Is this person in any way connected with Egon Brütsch?

[grobmotorix]

Was he the son of well known parents?

[Wendax]

Perhaps a Sachs engine?

His former car had a Sachs engine, this one hasn't.

Is this person in any way connected with Egon Brütsch?

Not that I know.

Was he the son of well known parents?

No

[nicanary]

So this is a German child who apparently appeared in this car at several German racetracks. Were these appearances some kind of demonstration runs, maybe some sort of entertainment for the crowd in between races?

[Wendax]

Yes

[targhediferro]

I haven't found this picture or other of the same car, but thanking my wife who speaks a perfect German and who translated me the words for googling, I found a Der Spiegel article reporting the success of a "funfjahre rennfahrer" named Willy Schuhnagel from Munich; is him the child we're searching for?