Electel Blogspot

I wrote about ace race dirver Berndt Rosemeyer's Horch 853 Coupé by Erdmann & Rossi here .  This post is about another Erdmann & Rossi 853.  It's a 1938 853A Special Roadster restored by RM Auto Restorationn . Its commentary on the car and restoration is here .  It notes: "These first two cars [discussed in the article] may be considered the 'first series' cars, in that they closely resemble the [factory's] wooden model, and are virtually identical to each other. Both survive, one in Texas (Dr. Charles Key) and one in Germany (Horst Lautenschlager). "A subsequent series of cars were built (the 'second series' cars) which differed from the first in several respects. The coachwork was more modern, and featured pontoon shaped fenders and a one piece rear body (no separate fenders). "Five of these cars were built, three of which are known to survive today. The first example was built for Nazi Herman Goering ... This first Horch 853 Spec...

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 strea...