To compete with the luxury cars of Mercedes-Benz and even some great French marques like Delahaye and Delage, the Auto-Union empire had Horch. After WW1, Horch represented the upper end of this conglomerate that also included Audi, DKW and Wanderer. The trend reached a peak in 1937 with the introduction of the 853A Spezial (or Special) Roadster.

The 853 can trace it’s roots back to 1926, when chief engineer Paul Daimler designed Germany’s first eight-cylinder production engine. Built with high-quality materials, it used a twin-cam valve train and was used right up to 1940. It helped Horch grow in the 1920s, leading to larger, more powerful versions. This peaked in 1937 when the 850 series offered 120 bhp.

Introduced in 1937, the 853A was a short-wheel base version of the 850. It used technology from the Auto-Union racecars and sold at a very competitive rate compared to Mercedes-Benz. Appointed with a complex de Dion-type rear suspension from Auto-Union’s Grand Prix program and Vacuum-assisted hydraulic brakes, the 853 had an advanced chassis.

The chassis was also long enough and produced enough power to attract the type of customers that would purchase elaborate bodies. Horch wanted to rival Mercedes-Benz’s Spezial Roadster, so they built one of their own. After being modeled in wood, the decision was made for the factory to produce a prototype from their facilities in Malan, Germany. Their design was highlighted by a long hood, sloping tail and impossibly low front windscreen. These imposing proportions where limited to a two-seat cabin of equal embellishment.

Immediately, production of the Horch’s own Spezial Roadster commenced. Berlin coachbuilders, Erdmann and Rossi where hired to produce the new body. They used steel over a metal and wooden-frame to support the structure. A small fabric roof was also hidden by a panel in the rear compartment.

Erdmann and Rossi produced a near-copy of the first prototype, but by the time the third car was made, they were given freedom to improve the design. A second-series design was made featuring pontoon fenders and more elegant lines. Eventually five of the updated Spezial Roadsters were produced, the first by order of Nazi leader Herman Göring. He had the car fitted with a bulletproof windscreen, but preferred his Mercedes, so the Horch was disassembled for the following four cars.

Chassis

Each of the Special Roadster was unique in detail, and some included louvered rear wing panels, blade-style bumpers and different interior designs. The series of five 853s was finished by a sole 855 Spezial Roadter. The cars are delineated by their commission numbers:

Commission Number 3164 – Restored by RM, this is the 2004 Pebble Beach Best in Show car owned by Joseph C. Cassini III. It was initially brought to the US by a World War II veteran who kept the car until 1969. The next owner, Herbert Von Fragstein, dismantled the car and it spent the next 30 years in pieces. Eventually RM Restorations spent two years and 12,000 man-hours to complete the car for the first time in decades. It debuted successfully at the 2004 Pebble Beach Concours.

Commission Number 3163 – Suffering a cheap restoration while at a Latvian Museum, the wooden body structure was replaced by a tube frame counterpart and the interior was rebuilt with wrong pieces. It sold at RM Auction’s 2008 London sale for £1,127,500 GBP or $1,785,883 USD.

Story by Richard Owen

1937 Horch 853A Sportroadster Gallery

See 1937 Horch 853A Sportroadster Gallery here

In Detail

submitted by	Official Galleries
type	Series Production Car
production years	1937 – 1940
built at	Malan, Germany
body stylist	Horch
coachbuilder	Erdmann und Rossi
engineers	Paul Daimler
production	7
engine	Type T850 Straight 8
position	Front Longitudinal
aspiration	Natural
valvetrain	SOHC, 2 Valves per Cyl
fuel feed	Solex 35 JFF Carburetor
displacement	4944 cc / 301.7 in³
bore	87 mm / 3.4 in
stroke	104 mm / 4.1 in
power	89.5 kw / 120 bhp @ 3600 rpm
specific output	24.27 bhp per litre
bhp/weight	45.63 bhp per tonne
body / frame	Steel Body over Steel Frame
driven wheels	RWD
front brakes	Hydraulic Drums w/Vacuum Assist
rear brakes	Hydraulic Drums w/Vacuum Assist
steering	Worm & Nut
f suspension	Upper A-Arms w/Lower Transverse Leaf Springs, Hydraulic Shock Absorbers
r suspension	de Dion Axle w/Semi-Elliptic Leaf Springs, Hydraulic Shock Absorbers
curb weight	2630 kg / 5799.15 lbs
wheelbase	3450 mm / 135.8 in
front track	1510 mm / 59.4 in
rear track	1516 mm / 59.7 in
length	5300 mm / 208.7 in
width	1830 mm / 72 in
height	1580 mm / 62.2 in
transmission	4 Speed Sliding Gear w/Overdrive
top speed	~135.16 kph / 84 mph

Auction Sales History

1938 Horch 853A Special Roadster 854275 – sold for $5,170,000 Pebble Beach Best of Show winner, with multiple other Best of Show wins. One of five built and three surviving of its kind. From the Collection of Joseph & Margie Cassini
Auction Source: Monterey 2012 by RM Auctions

1938 Horch 853 Special Roadster 854268 – sold for €1,448,837To most modern eyes, the Horch 853 Special Roadster bears an uncanny resemblance to the legendary Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster. Its power output is similar, and there is no denying that the cars share similar and quite stunning coachwork. Consequently, the values of these Horch Special Roadsters have always tracked with their Mercedes-Benz cousins – which have now reached the £4,000,000 range.
Auction Source: 2008 RM Automobiles of London