Bernd Rosemeyer's Horch 853 Spezial Coupé and Replica

Germany's Horch brand automobiles were produced from 1900 to 1940, though the initial firm was merged into the new Auto Union in 1932.  Horch cars were upscale, rivaling Mercedes-Benz.

In the 1930s Auto Union built mid-engine Grand Prix racing cars designed by Ferdinanrd Porsche.   One of Auto Union's ace drivers was Bernd Rosemeyer who was killed late in 1938 while attempting to set a speed rcord on one of Germeny's new Autobahnen.  Before his death, appreciatetive Auto Union management had a custom Horch 853 coupé created for him.  It is the subject of this post.

Part of the destruction inflicted on Germany during World War 2 was Rosemeyer's 853.  Years later, a replica was built and offered at auction in 2019 by Bonhams.  The suggested price range was $400,000 to $600,000. I do not know the result of that auction.

Its Bonham auction page is here. It notes:

"Auto Union commissioned for their star driver his own special automobile, a spectacular streamlined coupe that rivaled anything else on the road. With coachwork constructed by Erdmann & Rossi to a design by their employee Johannes Beeskow, it was built on a special shortened 130-inch, 120-horsepower 853 chassis. The body featured the elegantly tapered pontoon-style front fenders and short rear fenders of Beeskow's Spezialroadsters on the same chassis, the most enormously valuable of all Horchs."

Some information regarding coachbuilder Erdmann & Rossi is here.

Photos of the re-creation are from the Bonhams web page.

Gallery

Two views of Rosemeyer and his Horch 853.

The replica seen from the front.  Aside from the fenders, its basically contemporary Horch.

Rosemeyer's car might have been painted German racing silver.  The replica is black, which enhances sculptural aspects of its design.

Rear ends of 1930s cars were seldom highly decorated.  However, note the thin chrome strips on the top of the rear fenders -- a feature also found on the front fenders. These might have served to conceal two-piece fender construction.

The after part of the car does not have fastback streamlining, though the design is racy.

Side view showing the long hood that houses an inline eight cylinder motor.  The passenger greenhouse is quite short and its profile does not blend well with the rear of the car as seen here.  It works better when seen from the perspective in the second image from the top.