Horch 850

Horch 850/851/853/853A/855/951/951A
Horch 850/851/853/853A/855/951/951A
Overview
Manufacturer	Horch
Production	1935–1940 ; 2,200 produced
Assembly	Zwickau, Nazi Germany
Body and chassis
Class	Full-size luxury car (F)
Body style	4-door cabriolet; 2-door cabriolet; 4-door saloon
Layout	FR layout
Powertrain
Engine	4,944 cc (5.0L) Straight-8 99–118 hp (74–88 kW)
Transmission	4-speed manual /optional overdrive
Dimensions
Wheelbase	3,300 mm (130 in) (853/853A/855) ; 3,450 mm (136 in) (850/850S/853/853A) ; 3,750 mm (148 in) (850/851/951/951A)
Chronology
Predecessor	Horch 8

Horch 850 is a luxury passenger car produced by the German marque Horch (part of Auto Union AG) from 1935 to 1940. It succeeded the earlier Horch 8 series and was positioned as a high-end vehicle aimed at wealthy clientele, government officials, and diplomats. The model featured a powerful 5.0-liter inline-eight petrol engine and was offered in various body styles, including Pullman limousines, convertibles, and sportier variants. Approximately 2,200 units of all variants were built at the Horch plant in Zwickau before production ended due to World War II.

History

Horch introduced the 850 in 1935 as a modern successor to its V8-powered predecessors. The car was developed under Auto Union, which had merged Horch with Audi, DKW, and Wanderer in 1932. Early models produced 100 PS (74 kW), while from 1937 onward, engine output was increased to 120 PS (88 kW) through camshaft modifications and a higher compression ratio. In 1937, the lineup expanded with the 851 (luxury Pullman versions with added features such as a retractable partition and double shock absorbers) and the shorter-wheelbase 853 sport convertible. The 951 and 951A (introduced in 1937–1938) featured a longer body, De Dion rear axle, and standard overdrive. Sport models like the 853A and rare 855 roadster were produced in limited numbers until 1939, when wartime restrictions curtailed civilian production.^[1]

Design

All Horch 850 series models shared a common powertrain based on a 4,944 cc (302 cu in) inline-eight (straight-eight) engine with an overhead camshaft (OHC) driven by a vertical shaft from the crankshaft. The engine had a bore of 87 mm and a stroke of 104 mm. Early versions ran at 5.8:1 compression; later ones used 6.1:1. Power was transmitted via a four-speed manual gearbox with a central shift lever and an optional overdrive ("Autobahn-Ferngang"). The electrical system operated at 12 volts. The chassis consisted of a ladder frame with box-section side rails. Suspension used an independent front setup with transverse leaf springs and a rigid rear axle with semi-elliptic springs (De Dion axle on some later sport and 951 models). Brakes were hydraulic drums with vacuum servo assistance. Fuel capacity was 95 liters, with average consumption around 22–23 L/100 km.

Technical data and comparation

Model 850, 851, 951, and 951A

	850	851	951	951A
Year of introduction	1935–1937	1937–1938	1937	1938–1940
Platform	PL4, PC4, SA	PL4, PC4		T6, PL4, PC4, Cb4
Engine	In line eight cylinder four stroke gasoline engine
Valve timing	Overhead camshaft (OHC)
Bore × Stroke	87 mm × 104 mm
Displacement	4944 cm³
Max power	99 hp (74 kW)	118 hp (88 kW)
Consumption	22 l/100 km		23 l/100 km
Top speed	125 km/h		130 km/h
Curb weight	2650 kg		2810 kg
Total weight	3150 kg		3260 kg
On board voltage	12 Volt
Length	5550 mm		5640 mm
Width	1820 mm		1840 mm
Height	1770 mm		1740 mm
Wheelbase	3750 mm
Front/Rear Track	1470 mm/1500 mm		1510 mm/1516 mm
Turning Circle	16,5 m

Model 850 Sport, 853, 853A and 855

	850 Sport	853	853A	855
Year of introduction	1935–1936	1935–1939	1938–1939
Platform	Cb2			R2
Engine	In line eight cylinder four stroke gasoline engine
Valve timing	Overhead camshaft (OHC)
Bore × Stroke	87 mm × 104 mm
Displacement	4944 cm³
Max power	99 hp (74 kW)	99 hp (74 kW) from 1937: 118 hp (88 kW)	118 hp (88 kW)
Consumption	22 l/100 km
Top speed	130 km/h	135 km/h		140 km/h
Curb weight	2600 kg			2400–2450 kg
Total weight	2950 kg			2750–2800 kg
On board voltage	12 Volt
Length	5350 mm			5230–5350 mm
Width	1830 mm			1810 mm
Height	1580 mm			1560 mm
Wheelbase	3450 mm			3300–3450 mm
Front/Rear Track	1510 mm/1576 mm
Turning Circle	14,5 m			13,5–14,5 m

Body platform codes

T6 = Touring car
PL4 = Limousine
PC4 = Limousine Convertible
Cb2 = Convertible
Cb4 = Convertible
R2 = Roadster
SA = Special version

Production and variants

Total production reached approximately 2,200 units:

Pullman limousines and convertibles (850/851/951 series): ~1,186 units
Sport convertibles and roadsters (853/853 A/855): ~1,023 units (including ~10–15% with custom coachwork)

Body codes included PL4 (4-door Pullman limousine), PC4 (Pullman convertible), Cb2/Cb4 (convertibles), T6 (6-seat touring car), and R2 (roadster). In-house Horch bodies were common, but premium chassis often received custom work. Notable examples include the 1937 Bernd Rosemeyer "Manuela" coupé by Erdmann & Rossi.

Legacy

The Horch 850 and its derivatives remain icons of 1930s luxury motoring. Surviving examples are highly prized by collectors and frequently appear at concours d'elegance events. The model symbolized Auto Union's engineering excellence before the war and influenced later Audi branding (Horch's four-ring logo was later adopted by the modern Audi company). A small number of Horch 850s are preserved in museums, including the EFA-Museum für Deutsche Automobilgeschichte in Germany.