Horch 853 A sport Cabriolet
Highlights
Data & Facts
This Automobile
Eberhard Thiesen has a long-standing and deep connection with Horch 853 models: while searching for classic cars in the former Soviet Union between 1985 and 1995, he discovered a total of 15 Horch 853s and brought them back to Germany – some of them in a pitiful condition. This led him to set up a specialised workshop for these cars in order to have a number of 853s restored. Over the years, he has acquired extensive expertise and experience with the 853 model.
Thus, this example of the 1938 Horch 853 A was also discovered by Eberhard Thiesen in Riga (Latvia) in the early 1990s, in a condition marked by many years and a shortage economy, and imported to Germany. Under his direction, the car was extensively restored between 1994 and 1997 in his workshop and with the support of other specialised companies, and was professionally refurbished with great attention to detail. The body was given a new wooden frame as a supporting element and the panels were extensively repaired. This work was carried out by Malmquist in Sweden. The engine was overhauled and repaired by Gebrüder Heise Motoreninstandsetzung in northern Germany.
Already during restoration, the car was sold to a collector in Berlin in 1995 and the project was finalised according to his wishes. The car was given an extremely attractive and contemporary colour scheme in two-tone green with a black leather interior and a green soft top. Since its handover in 1997, the car has had only one owner (!), who has covered around 45,000 km over the years with regular and proper maintenance.
This loyal dedication explains why this Sport Cabriolet is still in almost mint condition and has been maintained to the highest standard. The immaculate bodywork and flawless mechanics are likely to be virtually unique. The car features excellent driving characteristics and first-class engine run. The leather upholstery and polished precious woods in the interior, as well as the many fine details inside and out, are a pure feast for the eyes. This is an extremely rare opportunity to acquire a very high-class Horch 853 A Sport Cabriolet from a long-standing and passionate ownership.
Model History
The Horch 850 with its model variants such as the 853 / 853 A Sport Cabriolet was introduced in 1935 as the successor to the Horch 8. Its engine was Germany's first series-production inline 8-cylinder back in 1926 and was considered a sensation when it was launched.
The 850 models were always powered by an eight-cylinder in-line engine with a displacement of 5 litres, which initially delivered 100 hp. The overhead camshaft was driven by a king shaft. Thanks to a modified camshaft and an increase in the compression ratio from 5.8 to 6.1:1, the engine power of the 853 rose to 120 hp in 1937. Power was transmitted via a four-speed gearbox with centre shift, which was optionally available with motorway overdrive. Deceleration was provided by drum brakes with hydraulic actuation (‘oil pressure brakes’) and Bosch Dewandre vacuum assistance (servo brakes).
The two-door 853 Sport Cabriolet (officially known as the ‘850 Sport’ until 1936) had a wheelbase that was 25 cm shorter than the four-door saloons/cabriolets and, unlike them, featured a rear ‘double-jointed axle’ (De Dion axle) instead of a rigid axle. The officially named Horch 853 Sport Cabriolet from 1937 onwards, also had the 120 hp engine and a wheelbase that was another 5 cm shorter (3.45 m) than its predecessor. The modified 853 A version was released for the 1938 model year, now featuring the ZF gearbox with motorway overdrive (type AK4S) as standard. Like the Pullman saloons, the bodies of the sports convertibles were manufactured by Horch itself.
The 853/853A Sport Cabriolet is today the best-known and most sought-after Horch model and one of the most exclusive pre-war German cars, which made a prestigious appearance on the magnificent boulevards of the big cities and a comfortable impression on cross-country journeys. Along with Mercedes Benz and Maybach, the Horch brand was considered a benchmark of German automotive engineering and, alongside these, was the preferred car of the upper class. Many wealthy and prominent personalities owned a Horch, not so much to attract attention or gain prestige, but because their attitude was more in line with today's understatement. Around 1,000 Horch 850/853 Sport Cabriolets were produced between 1935 and 1939, including just under 400 units of the 853 A (only from 1938 to 1939).
This Automobile
Eberhard Thiesen has a long-standing and deep connection with Horch 853 models: while searching for classic cars in the former Soviet Union between 1985 and 1995, he discovered a total of 15 Horch 853s and brought them back to Germany – some of them in a pitiful condition. This led him to set up a specialised workshop for these cars in order to have a number of 853s restored. Over the years, he has acquired extensive expertise and experience with the 853 model.
Thus, this example of the 1938 Horch 853 A was also discovered by Eberhard Thiesen in Riga (Latvia) in the early 1990s, in a condition marked by many years and a shortage economy, and imported to Germany. Under his direction, the car was extensively restored between 1994 and 1997 in his workshop and with the support of other specialised companies, and was professionally refurbished with great attention to detail. The body was given a new wooden frame as a supporting element and the panels were extensively repaired. This work was carried out by Malmquist in Sweden. The engine was overhauled and repaired by Gebrüder Heise Motoreninstandsetzung in northern Germany.
Already during restoration, the car was sold to a collector in Berlin in 1995 and the project was finalised according to his wishes. The car was given an extremely attractive and contemporary colour scheme in two-tone green with a black leather interior and a green soft top. Since its handover in 1997, the car has had only one owner (!), who has covered around 45,000 km over the years with regular and proper maintenance.
This loyal dedication explains why this Sport Cabriolet is still in almost mint condition and has been maintained to the highest standard. The immaculate bodywork and flawless mechanics are likely to be virtually unique. The car features excellent driving characteristics and first-class engine run. The leather upholstery and polished precious woods in the interior, as well as the many fine details inside and out, are a pure feast for the eyes. This is an extremely rare opportunity to acquire a very high-class Horch 853 A Sport Cabriolet from a long-standing and passionate ownership.
Model History
The Horch 850 with its model variants such as the 853 / 853 A Sport Cabriolet was introduced in 1935 as the successor to the Horch 8. Its engine was Germany's first series-production inline 8-cylinder back in 1926 and was considered a sensation when it was launched.
The 850 models were always powered by an eight-cylinder in-line engine with a displacement of 5 litres, which initially delivered 100 hp. The overhead camshaft was driven by a king shaft. Thanks to a modified camshaft and an increase in the compression ratio from 5.8 to 6.1:1, the engine power of the 853 rose to 120 hp in 1937. Power was transmitted via a four-speed gearbox with centre shift, which was optionally available with motorway overdrive. Deceleration was provided by drum brakes with hydraulic actuation (‘oil pressure brakes’) and Bosch Dewandre vacuum assistance (servo brakes).
The two-door 853 Sport Cabriolet (officially known as the ‘850 Sport’ until 1936) had a wheelbase that was 25 cm shorter than the four-door saloons/cabriolets and, unlike them, featured a rear ‘double-jointed axle’ (De Dion axle) instead of a rigid axle. The officially named Horch 853 Sport Cabriolet from 1937 onwards, also had the 120 hp engine and a wheelbase that was another 5 cm shorter (3.45 m) than its predecessor. The modified 853 A version was released for the 1938 model year, now featuring the ZF gearbox with motorway overdrive (type AK4S) as standard. Like the Pullman saloons, the bodies of the sports convertibles were manufactured by Horch itself.
The 853/853A Sport Cabriolet is today the best-known and most sought-after Horch model and one of the most exclusive pre-war German cars, which made a prestigious appearance on the magnificent boulevards of the big cities and a comfortable impression on cross-country journeys. Along with Mercedes Benz and Maybach, the Horch brand was considered a benchmark of German automotive engineering and, alongside these, was the preferred car of the upper class. Many wealthy and prominent personalities owned a Horch, not so much to attract attention or gain prestige, but because their attitude was more in line with today's understatement. Around 1,000 Horch 850/853 Sport Cabriolets were produced between 1935 and 1939, including just under 400 units of the 853 A (only from 1938 to 1939).