RM Sotheby’s LOT 296: 1937 Horch 853 Cabriolet

• An outstanding German eight-cylinder cabriolet of the Classic Era
• Magnificent presentation and proportions; imposing and elegant
• Acquired by Rudi Klein in 1979 from GM Vice-President Alexander Cunningham
• Older restoration, cosmetically well-preserved in the Kleins’ ownership
• A Classic Car Club of America (CCCA) Full Classic

[source: RM Sotheby’s]

Please note that this lot is titled as a 1935.

Produced under the aegis of Auto Union alongside its stablemates Audi, DKW, and Wanderer, the Horch 853 was an excellent automobile in every important regard, with the engineering prowess that distinguished every fine German car of its era. This included an overhead-cam, 10-main-bearing inline eight-cylinder engine, delivering its power through a four-speed transmission on a chassis equipped with servo-assisted hydraulic brakes. It had almost regal proportions, yet with its abundantly curved fenders flowing past the extremely long hood, had a certain grace in its “Teutonic arrogance.” Most considered it a robust competitor to the Mercedes-Benz 500 K, although the Horch was slightly larger in scale in almost every regard and had much more luxury than sporting aspirations.

While the 853 was produced in numerous body variations, among the most attractive was the two-door cabriolet, with its relatively low vee’d split windshield and dramatically swept tail, which accordingly has always been among the most desirable of its ilk. Only about 50 examples of the model remain in existence worldwide, some of which are part of highly prominent collections.

The Klein 853 cabriolet is one of the few survivors still equipped with pressed steel “artillery” wheels. It was formerly owned by Alexander A. “Alex” Cunningham of Orchard Lake, Michigan, a longtime executive at General Motors, who would later serve as Executive Vice President of GM North American Automotive Operations before his retirement in 1987. While no documentation in the file indicates where Mr. Cunningham sourced the Horch, it is believed to have been purchased by him in its home country, during his time in service there at GM’s German subsidiary, Opel, and to have been restored there in the same period. Photographs in the file show the restored car with Mrs. Cunningham and the couple’s neighbor on German streets. It was then brought with the couple to Michigan, and titled in that state in 1977.

Rudi Klein, an avid admirer, of course, of German automobiles in general and the Horch in particular, acquired the 853 from Mr. Cunningham in the autumn of 1979. Photographs in the file show that it was in occasional, joyful use by Rudi for at least a brief period thereafter, including an appearance at a show alongside the Caracciola Mercedes-Benz 500 K. In 1992 it was loaned to a museum in Ingolstadt, Germany, and has remained there, on occasional exhibition, until its recent repatriation in preparation for sale.

While the restoration is obviously older, with patina especially visible in the well-loved upholstery, it has largely held up well. The data tag appears to be the original, though the engine number portion appears to have been restamped with the present engine’s number, 851798; it is believed that this current engine may in fact be a later unit from an 853A. The car would benefit largely from further detailing and mechanical sorting before once again taking to the road—in one of the truly great German Full Classics.

More information HERE.