1937 Horch 853 A
In 1937, the top model produced by Horch and all of the Auto Union conglomerate was the 853 A. It was a more powerful version of the 853 that was fitted with a 120 bhp version of the straight eight.
Many bodies on the 853 A were highly regarded, and of them the sport cabriolets are some of the most beautifully styled cars of their era. But the real creme of the crop were the select handful of ‘spezial’ roadsters built by Ermann et Rossi in Paris.
Before the war broke out and annihilated all of Auto Union with it, Horch produced just over 400 853As that were fitted with a wide variety of bodies.
1937 Horch 853 A Gallery
See full 1937 Horch 853 A Gallery here
In Detail
submitted by | Richard Owen |
production | 404 |
engine | Type T850 Straight-8 |
position | Front Longitudinal |
aspiration | Natural |
valvetrain | SOHC, 2 Valves per Cyl |
fuel feed | Solex 35 JFF Carburetor |
displacement | 4494 cc / 274.2 in³ |
bore | 87 mm / 3.43 in |
stroke | 104 mm / 4.09 in |
compression | 6.1:1 |
power | 89.5 kw / 120 bhp @ 3600 rpm |
specific output | 26.7 bhp per litre |
bhp/weight | 45.61 bhp per tonne |
body / frame | Body over Steel Frame |
driven wheels | RWD |
front brakes | Drums w/Hydraulic Assist |
f brake size | mm / in |
rear brakes | Drums w/Hydraulic Assist |
r brake size | mm / in |
steering | Worm & Nut |
f suspension | Independent w/Semi-Elliptic Springs, Hydraulic Shock Absorbers |
r suspension | DeDion Axle, Semi-Elliptic Springs, Hydraulic Shock Absorbers |
curb weight | 2631 kg / 5800 lbs |
wheelbase | 3450 mm / 135.8 in |
front track | 1510 mm / 59.4 in |
rear track | 1516 mm / 59.7 in |
transmission | ZF GN 35 4 speed Manual |
gear ratios | :1 |
Auction Sales History
1938 Horch 853 Cabriolet 853400 – sold for €379,500
Auction Source: 2015 Les Grandes Marques du Monde au Grand Palais
Auction Source: 2014 Paris by RM Auctions
1939 Horch 853A Cabriolet 854383 – sold for €379,500 Finished in beige/black with black interior, the car is described by the vendor as in generally excellent condition, having benefited from the regular expert attention of Hans Schori. This rare German thoroughbred comes complete with hardtop and is offered with the aforementioned invoices, operating instructions, expired German Fahrzeugbrief and current Swiss registration papers.
Auction Source: 2013 Les Grandes Marques du Monde au Grand Palais
1938 Horch 853 Cabriolet 853400 – sold for €408,866
This magnificent example was treated to the same comprehensive restoration as the other cars in the collection. As the photographs show, the car was taken back to bare metal and meticulously restored. The car is registered with the demanding Italian historic register, the ASI, which notes in the booklet that will be passed to the new owner, that the mechanics and body have been restored in keeping with the original specification. Coming with a full dossier of photographs, technical documentation and a copy of the owner’s manual in German, this car deserves to join the most exclusive collection
Auction Source: 2012 Artcurial Motorcars à Rétromobile