1933 | Horch 780 Sport-Cabriolet

Registration number: VK-16-79

This is something truly special, and we say that from multiple perspectives. Firstly, we have here a beautifully styled pre-war convertible that undoubtedly belongs among the most impressive cars of the 1930s. Additionally, this is a rare Horch with a very interesting history. This particular example has an incredible history, which is fully known and beautifully documented in various books that are a delight to the eye.

With this special Horch, we have the opportunity to set some historical facts straight. Firstly, it is an incredibly old brand, founded in 1899. This even predates Lancia, which Vincenzo Lancia founded in 1906. August Horch, the founder of the German brand Horch, is one of the most innovative figures in early German automotive history. He was also one of the pioneers of the passenger car with his ideas and contributed to shaping the automobile as we know it. In the 1930s, it was not Mercedes but Horch that was at the top of the luxury segment.

And then there is, of course, the brand Audi as we know it today. The car brands Audi, DKW, Horch, and Wanderer merged to form Auto Union A.G., resulting in the distinctive four rings of the logo, and we don't need to explain to you which brand carries that logo today.

Now, let’s make a leap to Gottlieb Daimler, the German engineer who played a significant role in the development of the automobile. His son, Paul Daimler, was hired as an engineer at Horch and was responsible for the Horch 300. A beautiful car equipped with a 3.2-liter eight-cylinder inline engine. This engine would be used for many years. Fritz Fiedler, who later played an important role at BMW, took over Paul Daimler's role and developed not only an eight-cylinder engine but also a V12 and eventually a fantastic V8 engine.

From 1926 to 1935, Horch produced four different types of luxury cars with eight-cylinder engines. The Horch 780, which we have in our collection, was introduced in 1932 under the eye of Fritz Fiedler. With a 4.9-liter engine, the Horch had 100 hp and could comfortably reach a top speed of 125 km/h. Looking at the historical data, Horch produced only 250 to 300 units, and about sixteen are now known to exist. The Horch 780 Sport Cabriolet, which we present here, was designed by Hermann Ahrens, who also designed the legendary Mercedes-Benz 540 K roadster.

This example has an incredibly rich history. Originally, this Horch was delivered to a textile merchant in Groningen, Netherlands. He owned the car for seven years until January 1940, when the Horch was seized by the German government. When the war was over, the army withdrew, but at that moment, the Groningen officials came into the picture. They said, "Let the Germans walk home and bring us the car back." Since the Horch was owned by the Kingdom of the Netherlands, this example was assigned to a general who only used the Horch for business occasions. Later, he bought the car and owned it for a remarkable 47 years, from 1948 to 1995. The last owner had the car until recently, when he bought the Horch from the general's widow. Afterward, the car was restored and revised to a very high standard. This was done in great detail, placing this Horch in the category of concourse quality. The Horch looks stunning, and no expense was spared to bring this special Horch to its current state.

After the restoration and revision work, the Horch participated in the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance 2022, winning first place in its class! This concourse shows what kind of state this Horch is in. With this example, we provide two exceptional books full of documentation that describe the history of this Horch excellently and in great detail. The books are very impressive, full of historical facts and photos of this Horch, including the previous owners. Additionally, the restoration and revision work is meticulously documented. After the restoration, the Horch was professionally photographed, and a stunning photo report was created.

Are you interested in this breathtakingly beautiful Horch? Contact us today; we are happy to assist you further. You are welcome at Gallery Aaldering in Brummen, active since 1975. We have years of experience in exporting our vehicles worldwide. Inquire about the possibilities.