Horch 853 Coupé “Manuela” Stromlinien Coupé

georgeachorn·
Special Editions
·

What: Horch 853 Stroemlinien Coupé
Designer: Johannes Beeskow
Owner: Bernd Rosemeyer
Era: Horch, Pre-War
Model Family: 853
Market / Zone(s): EU
Model Years: 1937
Production Span: 1937 (1935, 1936, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1940 for Horch 853)
Number Produced: 1
Model / Generation Code(s):
Chassis / Matrix: Horch Steel Frame

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Body Style(s): Coupé
Drivetrain Configuration: longitudinal front engine, rear-wheel drive
Engine(s): 4.5-liter, 4,494 cc Type T850 Straight-8
Power: 89.5 kw / 120 bhp @ 1,200 rpm
Torque:
Transmission(s): 4-speed manual Aphon
Steering: Worm and Nut
Steering Ratio: 
Front Brake: Drums w/Hydraulic Assist
Rear Brake: Drums w/Hydraulic Assist
Wheelbase: 3,449 mm (135.8)
Length: 3,302 mm (130 in)
Width: 1,829 mm (72.0 in)
Height: 1,580 mm (62.2 in)
Curb Weight: 2,619.95 kg (5,776 lbs)

PERFORMANCE

Acceleration (0-100 km/h , 0-62 mph):
Top Speed: 129 km/h, 80.174 mph

OTHER DETAILS

Predecessor: N/A
Successor: N/A
Platform Mates: Horch 853 Derivatives
Concept Cars: 
Assembly Location(s): Zwickau, Germany
Designer(s): Erdmann & Rossi
Motorsport Homologations:

WHEEL / TIRE DETAILS

Wheel Size(s): 
Tire Size(s): 7.00-17
Bolt Pattern:
Offset: 

SUMMARY

The Horch 853 Coupé “Manuela” was a bespoke, one-off grand touring automobile commissioned in 1937 by Bernd Rosemeyer, one of Germany’s most celebrated pre-war racing drivers and Auto Union’s 1936 Grand Prix Champion. Built on a shortened Horch 853 chassis with coachwork by Erdmann & Rossi of Berlin, the streamlined coupe became one of the most famous personal cars associated with a Grand Prix driver of the 1930s. Though the original vehicle was lost during the Second World War, its legend endures through period photographs, written accounts, and modern recreations displayed by Audi Tradition.

BACKGROUND & COMMISSION

By 1937, Bernd Rosemeyer was at the height of his fame. Driving for Auto Union, he dominated European Grand Prix racing with the brand’s mid-engined “Silver Arrows,” winning the German, Swiss, and Italian Grands Prix, and securing the European Drivers’ Championship. His success made him a national hero and the public face of Auto Union’s racing program.

To honor its star driver, Auto Union commissioned a special road car from Horch, one of the four brands under the Auto Union umbrella. The chassis selected was a Horch 853, the marque’s flagship luxury model, featuring a 5.0-liter inline eight-cylinder engine rated at approximately 120 horsepower. The chassis was shortened to 130 inches (3,302 mm) to provide sportier proportions, while body design and construction were entrusted to Erdmann & Rossi, the distinguished Berlin coachbuilder known for its opulent, aerodynamic designs.

DESIGN & SPECIFICATION

The car’s bodywork was designed by Johannes Beeskow, a young Erdmann & Rossi stylist who would later gain renown for his post-war designs at Rometsch and Auto Union. Beeskow’s design for Rosemeyer’s car combined streamlined aerodynamics with pre-war elegance, characterized by:

  • Pontoon-style front fenders with integrated headlamps
  • Short rear fenders and a gently tapering tail
  • Smooth, curved roofline with a small, hinged rear window
  • Subtle chrome accents along the wings and body sides
  • Slightly inset rear-mounted spare tire and minimal brightwork

The result was a graceful, almost futuristic coupé that appeared to merge elements of sports and luxury design. The car was finished in silver paint, echoing the color of Rosemeyer’s Auto Union Type C Grand Prix cars. Period photographs show Rosemeyer posing proudly beside the car, often in his racing uniform.

Mechanically, the Horch 853 featured a straight-eight engine, a five-speed manual transmission, and independent front suspension. Its combination of size, power, and refinement made it one of the premier grand tourers of its time—among the most prestigious automobiles produced in pre-war Germany.

OWNERSHIP & NAMING

Rosemeyer affectionately named the car “Manuela” after his wife, the celebrated aviatrix Elly Beinhorn, whom he married in 1936. The name reportedly derived from a pet nickname between the couple.

Rosemeyer’s Manuela quickly became well known in motoring circles. In 1937, the car won its class and the People’s Choice Award at the Concours d’Elegance in Brünn (now Brno, Czech Republic), where it was exhibited as a symbol of modern German design and craftsmanship.

The car was used both as Rosemeyer’s personal vehicle and as a promotional asset for Auto Union, exemplifying the glamour and technical prowess of Germany’s automotive industry in the late 1930s.

FATE & LEGACY

Tragically, Bernd Rosemeyer was killed on 28 January 1938 during a land speed record attempt on Germany’s Frankfurt–Darmstadt autobahn. Following his death, Manuela reportedly remained in Auto Union’s possession but disappeared during the Second World War. No confirmed trace of the original car has ever been found, and it is widely believed to have been destroyed or lost in the conflict.

Despite its disappearance, Manuela became one of the most storied cars in Horch’s history. Its combination of celebrity ownership, design innovation, and tragic association ensured its continued fascination among collectors and historians.

MODERN RECREATIONS

Several recreations of the Horch 853 “Manuela” have since been constructed. One of the most notable was built by Horch-Classic GmbH in the 2000s using an original 853 chassis reportedly discovered in Belarus. The chassis was shortened to the correct 130-inch wheelbase and fitted with aluminum coachwork faithfully recreated from period photographs and design drawings.

This recreation included many authentic details:

  • Correct Erdmann & Rossi-style aluminum panels
  • Swiveling window mechanisms
  • Rear deck spare-wheel inset
  • Gülde fabric sunroof
  • Gold-toned gauges on a leather-trimmed dashboard

The body was finished in dark blue with a pale coachline and fitted luggage. Restoration files show extensive mechanical refurbishment, including a full engine rebuild and accurate period wiring.

A separate recreation, built to even closer specifications, is displayed at Audi’s museum mobile in Ingolstadt, celebrating Rosemeyer’s legacy and Audi’s pre-war heritage.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE

The Horch 853 Coupé “Manuela” remains emblematic of a brief but remarkable era in German automotive history—when artistry, performance, and prestige converged at the height of the interwar years.

For Audi and its forebears, Manuela symbolizes the intersection of racing excellence and luxury craftsmanship. It stands alongside cars such as the Mercedes-Benz 500 K Special Coupé as a defining artifact of 1930s design and a poignant reminder of Rosemeyer’s short yet dazzling career.

SEE ALSO

REFERENCES

PHOTO GALLERY