Vehicle Description
Once the crown jewel of the Auto Union Empire, Horch stands proudly
among the German motoring industry's most prestigious classic era
marques. August Horch founded his eponymous firm in 1900, and it
steadily grew in prominence thanks to a commitment to innovation
and engineering excellence. Horch went head-to-head with the likes
of Daimler and Mercedes through the 1920s and 1930s, joining Audi,
DKW, and Wanderer to form Auto Union in 1932. Later in the 1930s,
the Auto Union Grand Prix team famously locked horns in a fierce
battle with Mercedes-Benz for supremacy on European racing tracks.
In March of 1932, Horch introduced the powerful new 700-series, a
suitable flagship for the new Auto Union concern. Buyers could
select one of three versions of the new overhead-cam inline
eight-cylinder engine, designed in-house by Fritz Fiedler. At the
top of the model range sat the 4.9-liter Type 780, which produced
100 horsepower with exceptional refinement, and could propel the
780 to at 125 km/h or more depending on the coachwork. Produced
from 1932 to 1934, Horch sold just over 300 examples of the elegant
and refined 780. The final 83 cars were designated Type 780 B,
featuring a revised chassis with a 30mm wider track for improved
handling and stability. Horch employed the finest German
coachbuilders to produce bodies worthy of the prestigious Type 780
chassis, including Bauer, Erdmann & Rossi, and their
favoredkarosserie; Gl�ser of Dresden. Gl�ser created bodies for a
wide range of marques, including Opel, Cadillac, and Wanderer, but
they reserved some of their most exceptional work for Horch. This
rare and elegant Horch is one of a handful of late-production Type
780 B models in existence, featuring gorgeous sport cabriolet
coachwork by Gl�serkarosserie, GmbH. This stunning automobile was
meticulously restored to a very high standard by a noted marque
specialist, with subtle improvements for relaxed, enjoyable
touring. This car was the third-from-last 780 B chassis
constructed, delivered to an unknown owner in 1934. After World War
II, it made its way to Belarus, where it spent the next six decades
quietly hidden away. At the time of its discovery in 2005, the
original coachwork was long lost, so the restorers paired it with
this marvelous and well-preserved Sportcabriolet body, understood
to be a Gl�ser creation first fitted to a Horch Type 710 chassis.
The exhaustive nut-and-bolt restoration consumed seven years and is
documented in an accompanying booklet of photographs. The
structural woodwork was in remarkably good condition, and the
restorers took particular care in preserving as much as they could
of the coachwork. They painstakingly rebuilt the drivetrain,
fitting the engine with new bearings, pistons, and modern-style oil
seals wherever possible. They meticulously made new fuel lines in
copper and the exhaust system in high-quality stainless steel. In
the interest of drivability, they adapted a modern Getrag 5-speed
synchromesh gearbox to significantly reduce driver effort and
transform the Horch into a marvelous and highly-capable
long-distance tourer. Finished in a stunning shade of royal blue
with gray coach lines, this magnificent 780 B has an imposing
presence. The paintwork is finished to concours-quality standards,
with excellent quality bodywork and fit. Chrome plating is superb
all around, and details include gorgeous chrome wire wheels with
black wall Michelin tires, a mesh radiator stone guard, and dual
side-mount spares. It is a marvelous example of Teutonic elegance,
with the skirted fenders and blind-quarter roof treatment
emphasizing the low and sporting profile. Opening one of the
massive, vault-like doors reveals a lovely five-passenger cabin
trimmed in light gray leather upholstery with burgundy piping. As
with the exterior, the execution of the interior is superb. The
dash and door caps feature gorgeous blonde-colored woodwork with
cream banding to give the cabin a lighter feel. Broadcloth lines
the inside of the impeccably made canvas top, and dark gray carpets
appear virtually new. Switches, controls, and instruments are in
superb order, with the 5-speed pattern on the period style gear
knob gives away the modern 'box fitted below. The under-bonnet
presentation is excellent, and the big eight beautifully detailed
with lovely black enamel and chrome. The engine is spotlessly clean
and tidy, with only the exhaust manifold showing signs of use. The
chassis and undercarriage are also beautifully presented with
excellent paint quality on the suspension and driveline components.
Upon completion of the seven-year project, this magnificent Horch
debuted at the Jewels in the Park Concours d'Elegance in Schloss
Dyck, Germany, where it won the trophy for Best Restoration.
Presented in superb order throughout, this rare and beautiful Horch
remains suited for concours display, while the thoughtful upgrades
make it perfect for touring enjoyment. As a CCCA Full Classic, it
is a wonderful choice for their CARavan road tours and similar
events. Offers welcome and trades considered For additional details
please view this listing directly on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/6681-1934-horch-780-b-sport-cabriolet/
