1940s Racing Baroque

@charles-rockett The 1934 Auto Union Type A might be first in mid-engine design. Or if not the first, the most successful early design of this type. Model by Minichamps - their various Auto Union race cars are excellent diecasts.

@mg-harv Ahah !  I should've guessed that the Silver Arrows would be first at the post.  Many thanks for this information I shall now look at what was happening in Germany around this time. As a rule, the later, fully enclosed streamliners grab all the attention.

Hi 

The Rumpler Tropfenwagen went into production in 1921 and is regarded as the first mid-engine production car.

This led to the Benz Typ RH which is widely known as the Benz Tropfenwagen. The car was produced in 1923 and made its mark on history as the first race car to use a mid-engine layout.  

@chris-sweetman Thank you Chris for this amazing information.  I've long admired the Rumpler but had always assumed the engine must be in the 'nose', though on reflection there's not much space. I had no idea it was mid-engined, nor any knowledge of the Benz Tropfenwagen so this is very informative.

Your video is excellent: again, so informative. Many thanks.