1936' Horch 853 Spezialroadster

Bonhams are delighted to offer at our forthcoming Collectors' Motor Car Auction on Sunday 10th September at The Chantilly Sale, Château de Chantilly, France, 34 collectors motor cars.

1936 Horch 853 Spezialroadster design
Chassis no. 853268

•Premier German marque
•One of only 681 Horch 853 made (according to technical literature)
•Exceptional presentation by Appel Klassiker
•Five-speed gearbox

One of the founding fathers of the German automobile industry, August Horch was born in Winningen in 1868, and following an technical education at engineering school, worked for a marine engine manufacturer in Leipzig. His next job was managing Karl Benz's motor works at Mannheim, but frustration with his employer's conservative approach prompted Horch to seek financial backing for his own venture. Horch regarded Benz's rear-engined 'horseless carriages' as out-dated, and his first automobile of 1900 featured a front-mounted, twin-cylinder engine and shaft-driven rear axle, the first time this latter innovation had been seen in Germany. Larger four- and six-cylinder models followed, and Horch became active in the trials and competitions of the day, though ultimately this policy would bring August into conflict with his fellow directors and force his departure in 1909 to found Audi.

In 1923 Horch engaged Paul Daimler, son of Gottlieb, as Chief Engineer, the first car to bear his stamp being the '300'. This was powered by a 3.2-litre, double-overhead-camshaft, straight eight engine, and power units of this type would be favoured by Horch throughout the 1920s and 1930s. After Daimler's departure Fritz Fiedler (later of BMW fame) took over, designing a single-overhead-cam straight-eight - the Horch 450 - which was followed by 6-litre V12-powered 600 and 670 models in 1931 and the 3.5-litre V8-engined 830B in 1933.

In 1932 the company became part of the Auto Union together with Audi, DKW and Wanderer. Horch produced a veritable plethora of model variations in the 1930s, ringing the changes on engine capacity, wheelbase and styles of coachwork, but all were aimed squarely at the prestige end of the market, where Horch was the only serious domestic rival to Mercedes-Benz. Introduced for the 1936 season, the 4.9-litre Type 853 was powered by a Fiedler-designed, SOHC, ten-bearing straight eight mounted in a solidly built chassis boasting a four-speed overdrive gearbox and servo-assisted hydraulic brakes. A stylish sports cabriolet, the 853/853a was produced up to the outbreak of war, by which time a mere 950 of these exclusive cars had been built.

After WW2, Horch's Zwickau factory ended up on the eastern side of the border where it would eventually be pressed into service manufacturing the utilitarian Trabant - a sad end to a once noble marque that had ranked among the very best.

The car was purchased in Hungary in 2011 by Appel Klassiker (previously operating under Horch Classic). Unfortunately, the original body of this Horch 853 was lost either during WW2 or after. Thus it was not possible to tell whether a factory Sportcabriolet or an independently coachbuilt body had been fitted originally. The restoration started in 2011 and has been completed in 2017 taking thousands of working hours. It was decided to build a replica body in the style of legendary 853 Spezialroadster, of which according to relevant technical literature only seven were built. Appel Klassiker researched in numerous archives (and also private sources) to find original factory photographs.

First the Horch chassis frame had 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. Next the wooden frame, with lots of trial fittings 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.

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 pure silver to silver with a slight blue tinge. To emphasise the car's flowing 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. Contrasting edges used at the seats as well as for the cladding emphasize the very sporty look of the car. A great deal of effort went into the Alcantara hood lining.

The dashboard has been covered with fine burl wood veneer that has been lacquered and polished to provide a mirror-like finish and harmonises beautifully with the interior and exterior colours. All chromed parts were both prepared and re-chromed, or where necessary newly fabricated and plated.

The original engine, front and rear axles, differential, 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 fitted 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 and finely adjusted before fitting to the car, the engine is reported to run 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.

This extraordinary car is offered with photographic documentation of the restoration, German registration papers, an historic TÜV, an owner's manual (copy) and a spare parts list (copy).

Please note that this motor car will be subject to the TVA at the prevailing local rate on Hammer Price and Buyer's Premium.