1938 Horch 855

1901 was the first year for the Horch automobile and was the work of a German engineer named August Horch, who had previously worked for Karl Benz. Mr. Horch would later leave his company following a dispute and founded Audi. In 1932, both Audi and Horch merged with DKW and Wanderer to form Auto Union with the now iconic four-ringed logo now adoring modern Audi automobiles. Before World War II, Auto Union became an important supplier of vehicles for the Wehrmacht, constructing cabriolets, Pullman sedans, and touring cars. Production of the large Horch chassis was exclusive, with many being utilized by the highest-ranking officers, rivaling those constructed by Mercedes-Benz and Maybach.

The Horch 855
The Horch 855 was a slightly shorter version of the Model 853, introduced in 1935. The straight 8-cylinder (Type T850), single overhead camshaft engine powering the 853 displaced 4,944cc and produced 120 horsepower. The steel frame had a wheelbase size of approximately 135.8 inches and was suspended by an independent front suspension and a DeDion rear axle, with semi-elliptic springs and hydraulic shock absorbers all around.

The styling and coachwork of the Horch 855 were similar to the Horch 853, but on a shortened wheelbase. Production was highly exclusive, with just seven examples constructed.

by Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2023