1939' Horch 853 Spezial Roadster

1939 Horch 853 Spezial Roadster to Erdmann & Rossi design.
Chassis number: 853177
Engine Number: 851234
Registration Number: To Be Announced.
An absolute collectors piece with sensationally rare details of the Erdmann & Rossi body.
Completely restored by a world-wide reknown Horch expert restoration company.
The Horch 853 Sport Cabriolet was first shown in 1935 in Berlin at the IAA. Quickly it became a competitor to the famous Mercedes Kompressorwagen, namely the 500 K and 540 K model range, due to its beauty, reliability and speed.
This Erdmann & Rossi style version shows in contrast to the standard cabriolets a particular long bonnet and an extremely low windscreen. Together with an elegant rear design it therefore appears more sporting.
The extensive trims are made of brass and are chromed.
Horch was the most prestigious name in Germany next to Daimler-Benz. Also on the race track these two brands were battling with their Mercedes and Auto Union Silverpfeile. Horch was the luxury brand of the Auto Union Group.
In the early 1930‘s the new single camshaft straight eight engine was deleloped, first available in 4. 5 then and 5. 0 litre versions, which produced 100 and 120 DIN PS.
Fitted with elaborate bodies these chassis were destined for well-off clients who were looking for high-end luxury, comfort and speed.
A direct competitor to the later Mercedes 540 K the Horch 853 A was highly valued by top industrialists and politicians of the time and was often modified by the works for even higher speed and performance. Very few examples had the high geared Autobahn (motorway) gearbox as this one has.
This particular stunning 853 A Horch can only be considered as to be among the most luxurious and refined sports cars of the 1930‘s and has few equals.
Engine, gearbox and the whole brake system was recently checked after storage by its former long term museum owner.
The condition of this important automobile is absolutely stunning to say the least. Its ready to be shown at the most prestigious concours events the world over. It has covered just a few hundred miles since completion.
The car was purchased in the Ukraine in 2009 by Horch Classic, which then embarked on a seven-year restoration that took thousands of working hours to complete. It was decided to build a replica body in the style of legendary Spezialroadster. Horch Classic researched in numerous archives (and also private sources) to bnd original factory photographs.
Utilising Horch Classic's long term experience, researched photographic documentation, and in-house made templates, a three-dimensional body buck was fabricated. This buck was then covered in fabric to create a brst impression of the body's lines and proportions. Numerous changes had to be made to the original buck before the form and proportions were right; only then could the construction of the wooden body frame begin.
Templates were again used to transfer the buck's shape to the wooden frame, with lots of trial bttings until the right shape and form had been achieved. Using a laser spirit level, the frame components were then glued together and screwed onto the chassis. Then the individual components of the metal body were fabricated, measured again and welded together. The Horch chassis frame had already been cleaned, measured and the metal checked for thickness and corrosion. Parts of the frame which showed either too much corrosion or were deemed too thin were replaced and then primed and painted with several coats.
From the start it was considered very important, not only to achieve perfect harmony of the body colour and interior, but also to arrive at a period-correct look for the car as a result. Accordingly, a base colour of silver metallic was chosen, which changes under different lighting conditions from a pure silver to a silver with a slight red tinge. To emphasise the car's aowing lines, a coach line was applied by hand to the mudguards, bonnet, doors and the rear of the body.
The car's interior was clad in high quality black velour carpet, which was piped in the same red leather as was used for the seats. The leather for the seats itself was chosen for its period-authentic surface texture. The Horch logo has been stitched into the back of the front seats and the door cards with a black thread. A great deal of effort went into the Alcantara hood lining.
The dashboard, made from a single piece of wood, has been covered with Canadian burr veneer that has been lacquered and polished to provide a mirror-like finish. The interior woodwork also shows a slight red tinge, which harmonises beautifully with the interior and exterior colours. The Horch Logo on the radiator and the boot lid were plated with 24 carat gold by a jeweller. All chromed parts were either prepared and re-chromed, or where necessary newly fabricated and plated.
The original engine, front and rear axles, diderential, gearbox and steering were dismantled, measured and overhauled where necessary. The engine was completely dismantled and all parts measured and checked. New bearings were fitted, new pistons installed, and the camshaft and valve gear overhauled. New seals were btted to the valve guides, and modern radial oil seals fitted to the engine at front and rear. The crankshaft was finely balanced together with the flywheel. Dynamometer tested for some 20 hours before fitting to the car, the engine runs very smoothly, while a comprehensively overhauled five-speed gearbox enhances the already pleasurable driving experience and helps to keep the engine revs low at cruising speeds. A new wiring loom has been made and covered with woven cotton to replicate the appearance of the original. It goes without saying that safety-critical components for the steering and hydraulic brakes were renewed also. An additional ignition system is fitted.
The car comes with an historic Tu?V dated 11. 07. 14. A quantity of marque-related literature comes with it to include an owner's manual (copy). It is european taxes paid & currently residing in a prominent collection in Belgium.