Vehicle Description
Once part of the mighty Auto Union combine, Horch is one of the
German motoring industry's proudest pre-war marques. Founded in
1900 by August Horch, the firm steadily grew its reputation for
engineering excellence and became a leading competitor to Daimler
and Mercedes through the 1920s and 1930s, joining Audi, DKW, and
Wanderer to form Auto Union in 1932. In the middle of the 1930s,
the Auto Union Grand Prix team was locked in a fierce battle with
Mercedes-Benz for supremacy on European racing tracks. The Germans
saw motor racing as the ideal showcase for their engineering might,
and threw seemingly endless resources behind their national teams,
creating one of the greatest eras of technical advancement in the
history of motorsport. As the power and speed of the cars grew
exponentially, drivers became national heroes. Auto Union's star
was the great Bernd Rosemeyer, who famously man-handled the
fearsome mid-engine Silver Arrows (with upwards of 550 horsepower!)
to victory in numerous races across Germany and the rest of Europe.
He won the German, Swiss, and Italian Grands Prix to take the
European Championship in 1936, and claimed four of the five Auto
Union victories against Mercedes-Benz's formidable new W125 in
1937. He became an international superstar after winning the
Vanderbilt Cup in 1937 and is still counted as one of the greatest
racing drivers of all time. For their star driver, Auto Union
commissioned a spectacular automobile as a reward for Rosemeyer's
achievements. Based upon a special shortened, 130-inch chassis from
the flagship Horch 853, the car wore a stunning one-off streamlined
coupe body, designed by Johannes Beeskow and built by Erdmann &
Rossi. The coachwork featured the curvaceous and graceful pontoon
fenders of the Spezialroadsters, combined with a unique flowing
fixed-head roofline and well-judged chrome accents. Rosemeyer
nicknamed the car "Manuela," and he regularly as his transport to
racing events and even the occasional Concours d'Elegance alongside
his wife Elly Beinhorn; herself an accomplished pilot. Sadly,
Rosemeyer didn't get to enjoy Manuela for very long, as his life
was tragically cut short in a record-breaking attempt on a stretch
of the newly completed Autobahn. While attempting to beat a
personal record of 268 mph, his Auto Union streamliner caught a
crosswind, resulting in a spectacular crash. The 28-year-old
Rosemeyer was thrown from the car and killed. The fate of Manuela
is shrouded in mystery, as the Horch disappeared from public view
shortly after Rosemeyer's death and was never seen again. Theories
suggest it was either broken up by the factory or sacrificed to the
impending war effort. Thankfully, photos and documentation of the
original car provided enough information for the creation of a
small number of faithful homages to the original, including one
displayed in the Audi AG museum. Proudly offered here is a stunning
and faithful tribute to Bernd Rosemeyer's famous "Manuela" Horch
853, artfully constructed by Horch-Classic of Germany. The original
Horch 853 donor chassis was discovered a barn in Belarus, minus its
coachwork. Per the original specification, Horch-Classic shortened
the frame to 130-inches before restoring it to full running order.
For the coachwork, Horch-Classic used images of the original car to
create a wood body frame. Then Horch-Classic skinned the wood frame
in steel panels. The attention to detail is impressive, including
the louvered bonnet, swiveling side windows, and a rare G�lde
fabric sunroof - acquired after an exhaustive search. The car was
then finished in black and accented with pale coach stripes and a
dramatic polished sweep. Other fittings include genuine Horch
headlamp lenses, Bosch driving lamps, twin chrome Bosch horns, and
semaphore turning indicators built into the body. The resulting car
has a tremendous presence and is faithful to the original while
seamlessly incorporating personal touches by the builders. With the
coachwork underway, the chassis was fully restored, including the
independent front end and De Dion rear axle. The engine completely
rebuilt with new pistons, bearings, and overhauled cam and
valvetrain. The rotating assembly and flywheel were balanced to
ensure refined, silky-smooth high-speed operation. The engine was
then fully detailed with faithfully reproduced hardware, plumbing,
and woven-fabric wiring loom. This car features the
highly-desirable five-speed gearbox for superb high-speed touring
performance. Black leather upholstery with contrasting piping
provides a lovely complement to the paintwork. The upholstered
instrument panel gives this Horch a businesslike, sporting appeal.
As with the coachwork, the soft trim is beautiful, finished to a
high standard and presented in taut, fresh condition. Authentic
fittings, instruments, and hardware complete the package, and a set
of period-correct fitted luggage behind the seats provide a
charming flourish to the cabin. Rosemeyer's "Manuela" may be lost
to history, yet this superb recreation honors the spirit and style
of the original, with impressive levels of craftsmanship. Superbly
crafted and used sparingly since the restoration, this highly
desirable German classic is prime for enjoyment in touring and road
events worldwide. Offers welcome and trades considered For
additional details please view this listing directly on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/6558-1937-horch-853-coupe/