To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION at RM Sothebys' Amelia Island event, 8 - 9
March 2019.
Estimate:
$550,000 - $750,000
- Recreation of one of the finest cars of the 1930s
- Product of a recently completed six-year restoration
- Outfitted with the most desirable Spezial Roadster body
One of the four companies that merged to form the Auto Union,
August Horch started his company in 1899 in Cologne, Germany. By
1934, August Horch was ousted, and the Great Depression had led to
Germany's leading car companies uniting as one. Horch, now minus
its namesake, launched the Type 830 and the Type 850, which evolved
into the top model Type 853.
Attempting to compete with sporting giants Mercedes-Benz, Horch
designed the Type 853 in a long, low, and swoopy Spezial Roadster
body. Made in two series, only five of the vehicles are known to
survive, though it is believed that seven were made in total.
Incredibly rare and jaw-droppingly gorgeous, it is easy to see why
it was decided to recreate the stunning Spezial Roadster coachwork
for this vehicle.
Chassis no. 853268 was purchased in Hungary in 2011 by Appel
Klassiker (formerly Horch Classic). Unfortunately, the original
body was lost to time, and there was no way of telling what type of
coachwork had originally been fitted. Appel Klassiker started a
comprehensive restoration in 2011 - taking thousands of working
hours, it was not until 2017 when the Horch was deemed perfect.
The Horch chassis was cleaned, measured, and the metal checked for
thickness and corrosion. Parts of the frame that showed either too
much corrosion or were deemed too thin were replaced before being
primed and painted. The wooden body frame was then constructed,
with lots of trial fittings until the right shape and form had been
achieved. Then the individual components of the metal body were
fabricated and welded together.
From the start, careful consideration was given to not only achieve
perfect harmony between the body color and interior, but also to
arrive at a period-correct look for the car. Accordingly, a base
color of silver metallic was chosen, which changes under different
lighting conditions from pure silver to silver with a slight blue
tinge. To emphasize the car's flowing lines, a coach line was
applied flowing through 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.
Contrasting edges used at the seats as well as for the cladding
emphasize the very sporty look of the car. The dashboard has been
covered with fine burl wood veneer that has been lacquered and
polished to provide a mirror-like finish and harmonizes beautifully
with the interior and exterior colors. All chromed parts were both
prepared and re-chromed, or where necessary, newly fabricated and
plated.
Crafted after extensive research in numerous archives and private
sources, with a body constructed after careful examination of
original factory photographs, this Horch Spezial Roadster
Recreation is as close to original as one may ever get. Adored by
the richest and most famous of the time, this would be the perfect
automobile for anyone who appreciates the apex of '30s design and
beauty.
To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction,
please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/am19.
