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Classic Pre-war Audi - 1938 Horch 853 Special Roadster at Auction

Fortitude is reporting on an extremely rare Horch due to be auctioned by RM Auctions and Sotheby’s in London on the 29th of August. Horch is one of the 4 companies merged to form Auto Union - from which the present day Audi descends.

This very rare Horch is a 1938 Horch 853 Special Roadster with coach work by Erdmann & Rossi (chassis number 854268). Regarded as one of Germany’s preeminent luxury marques, Horch was part of the famed Auto Union group alongside Audi, DKW and Wanderer. With its advanced chassis design and fully independent rear suspension, the Special Roadster competed with the Mercedes-Benz 540K.

Formerly stored in a private Latvian collection, the elegant 853 Special Cabriolet, on offer at RM’s October event is one of just three surviving examples of its kind and one of six survivors of all types, making for a very rare car. The auctioneers estimate the Horch roadster will go for a staggering £1,500,000 - £2,000,000, more than a new Bugatti Veyron.

There is a Horch Museum in Zwickau, in Western Saxony and their web site is here