1-193-301 - National Motor Museum/Heritage Images

Von Brauchitsch with a 3 litre Mercedes Benz at the Donington Grand Prix, 1938. He was one of the most successful drivers of the Silver Arrows in the pre-war era. He entered his first race, a hillclimb in 1929 driving a Mercedes and came first in his class. In 1931 he competed in the Eifel Grand Prix and finished third to his future teammate Rudolf Caracciola and H J von Morgan. In 1932 he won the Avus Grand Prix. He was invited to join the Mercedes team and became a works driver for them between 1934-1939. The Silver Arrow race cars set several speed records and obtained their name from their silver bodywork. They were originally white but had the paint removed in order to lower their weight.