in

Horch 853 Manuela: Imposing

PHOTOS HORCH 853 MANUELA REPLICA: HYMAN LTD

Whenever we think of a mythical driver we associate him with his racing cars. But, it is also interesting to know what your car was for day to day. In the case of Bernd rosemeyer Everything was left at home, as both the racing cars and its comfortable everyday coupe were produced by Auto Union. The consortium formed in 1932 by the union of Horch, Audi, DKW and Wanderer, which took as its symbol the four rings that today are the Audi logo.

Inside the tracks, Rosemeyer was forever linked to the powerful Auto Union, belonging to the history of the Silver Arrows. Those awesome Mercedes and Auto Union dominating the Grand Prix from 1934 to 1939. Beyond that, what really marked the career of this pilot was achieving the world speed record. A ruthless competition fueled by the Nazi regime between Mercedes and Auto Union, which galloped for more powerful engines and more efficient aerodynamics to crush their rivals.

On the one hand all this was tried to use as propaganda, by means of which Hitler tried to show the technological development of Germany. On the other, the unbridled competition between the two brands poured gasoline on the fire of a time when almost all German industrial advance was applied to the development of war machines. Be that as it may, the truth is that in 1928 Rosemeyer met his death at more than 400 km / h, when a gust of wind made him lose control of his Auto Union Type C.

The body was found about 100 meters from the first tire marks. The wreckage of the car some 80 past. A terrible outcome for Rosemeyer, who still remains one of the greatest motorsport legends of the time, along with his compatriots Hans Stuck and Rudolf Caracciola.

Anyway, beyond his racing cars this driver moved during his last year of life in the spectacular Horch 853 Manuela Coupe. Raised to legend for having belonged to such a pilot, this unique piece disappeared without a trace during the Second World War. Now return to the present day with this replica that, curiously, alters the original color.

horch 853 replica

horch 853 replica

HORCH 853 MANUELA COUPE. MISSING IN ACTION

Just a year before he died, in 1937, Rosemeyer was in his prime. Featured as a star driver of Auto Union, successes in competition followed one another constantly. Therefore, the company decided to give him a good gift.

Neither more nor less than a unit of its flagship: the Horch 853. However, this was not enough, since this unit had to be a unique piece. Thus, dressed by Erdman & Rossi, the Horch 853 Manuela Coupe was born, the sporty interpretation of one of the most desired German cars during the XNUMXs.

horch 853 replica

Of this flagship only a little more than 600 chassis were manufactured, motorized with a five-liter inline eight cylinders, capable of producing about 120CV at 3.600 rpm. A few figures more than enough to move with leisurely joy its more than two tons of weight.

And, let's remember that when we talk about the Horch 853 we are referring to one of the most luxurious cars of its time. As was customary in this type of car, the steel cross-member chassis was sent to different bodybuilders to be dressed differently in each unit.

That is why the Horch 853 can be seen in very different ways. In the case of this, it was chosen a coupe body sitting on its 33-centimeter trimmed chassis compared to factory specifications. That gives a slightly more compact look to the Horch 853 Manuela, nicknamed that by Rosemeyer in 1937, who used it to race until his death a year later. After this the fate of the car becomes blurred. Some say it was cut apart by Horch herself. Others that disappeared during WWII. Be that as it may, the truth is that we still have no clues about it.

horch 853 replica

HORCH 853 MANUELA REPLICA. ONE MORE

Although Rosemeyer's Horch 853 Manuela disappeared decades ago, fortunately abundant graphic material about it was preserved. Based on this, at least two replicas have been made in recent decades. The first is the one exhibited in the Audi museum, which is exact in all the details. The second has just appeared on sale at a prestigious dealer in the United States (Hyman Ltd) after being built by Horch-Classic in Germany. Of course, curiously painted in a blue color that is not the original gray of the Manuela.

However, the base on which this replica of Manuela has been made is original, since the chassis of a Horch 853 found in Belarus has been used. In this find the bodywork was missing, so when it came to dressing it, those responsible for the restoration had the happy idea of ​​paying homage to Rosemeyer's car. Something that they studied meticulously, since they also cut the chassis to leave it in the exact measure of it.

From there, they made a wooden base on which to work the aluminum body panels. They also meticulously recreated the interior, including even a set of suitcases from the period and a Gülde fabric sunroof. The result is a Deliberately personalized, but excellent, recreation of the Horch 853 Manuela.

What do you think?

avatar photo

Written by Miguel Sánchez

Through the news from La Escudería, we will travel the winding roads of Maranello listening to the roar of the Italian V12; We will travel Route66 in search of the power of the great American engines; we will get lost in the narrow English lanes tracking the elegance of their sports cars; We will speed up the braking in the curves of the Monte Carlo Rally and we will even get dusty in a garage while rescuing lost jewels.

Subscribe to the newsletter

Once a month in your mail.

Thanks a lot! Do not forget to confirm your subscription through the email that we have just sent you.

Something has gone wrong. Please try again.

60.2 kHappy fans
2.1 kFollowers
3.4 kFollowers
3.8 kFollowers