German Government (acquired circa 1940)
Dutch Government (acquired from the above in 1945)
Adriaan van der Wyck, Groningen, The Netherlands (acquired from the above in 1948)
Current Owner (acquired from the estate of the above in 1995)
Chassis: 78157
Engine: 55324
Ideal Representation of Horch Excellence; the Top Tier of the Auto Union Hierarchy
Attractive Cabriolet Design by Hermann Ahrens
Well-Documented History with Limited Ownership
Multiyear Restoration with Emphasis on Authenticity
Successfully Completed the 2022 Pebble Beach Motoring Classic
First in Class Winner at the 2022 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance®
4,944 CC OHV Inline 8-Cylinder Engine
Single Solex Carburetor
100 BHP at 3,400 RPM
4-Speed Manual Gearbox
4-Wheel Vacuum-Assisted Mechanical Drum Brakes
Front Beam Axle with Semi-Elliptical Leaf Springs
Rear Live Axle with Semi-Elliptical Leaf Springs
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Temporary UK Import
See UK Registration/Import Status Guide in catalogue.
Positioned atop the Auto Union hierarchy, Horch’s offerings rivaled those from Maybach and Mercedes-Benz. From 1932 through 1934, the firm known for Teutonic automotive excellence built approximately 300 of its 780 model in a variety of body styles, including two- and four-door cabriolets, sedans, and limousines.
The 780 employed a potent 4.9-liter, straight-eight engine producing 100 hp, and when fitted to the cabriolet’s more manageable 136" chassis, was capable of more than 80 mph. Complementing the fine German mechanicals was attractive Horch Sport Cabriolet coachwork designed by Hermann Ahrens, who later went on to design the Mercedes-Benz 540 K Special Roadster.
This Sport Cabriolet’s original owner was P.H. Hendriks, a textile merchant in Groningen, The Netherlands, who used the Horch to conduct business in Germany. At the outset of WWII, the car was confiscated by the German government and retained until the war’s conclusion. It was then returned to the Dutch government and entrusted to tax court attorney Adriaan van der Wyck for limited government use. In 1948, Mr. van der Wyck persuaded the Dutch government to sell him the car outright, and he used it sparingly, primarily for transportation to the local courthouse and the occasional family event. Following his passing in 1973, the car was retained by his widow who parted with it, selling it to the consignor, in 1995.
Over the next 25 years, the Horch was restored in The Netherlands with the majority of the work completed by two restoration shops, Van der Meij Classics and Classic Skills. A soft tone of yellow adorns the body and wire wheels with a black contrast applied to the fenders, beltline molding, and cabriolet top. Visibility is enhanced by a unique three-pane windshield plus rearview mirrors attached to the dual side-mounted spare tires. Passenger access is facilitated by rear-hinged doors, and a built-in trunk integrates neatly into the body. Additionally, a luggage rack supports an accessory Moynat trunk fitted with three tailored suitcases.
The fully lined canvas top employs landau irons to lower it, and roll-up windows ensure that up to five occupants are comfortably enclosed. The wood dashboard is complemented by hardware finished in tasteful ivory. Illustrating the care this car has received throughout its life, the brown leather seat upholstery, which may be original, was finely preserved under covers for decades, and matching door panels remain in place. The full history of the Horch and its exhaustive restoration have been documented in a bound book that accompanies the sale. It is within these pages that the extent of the effort lavished on the Sport Cabriolet becomes vibrantly evident.
Post-restoration, the Sport Cabriolet made its stateside debut in August 2022, beginning with the 1,500-mile Pebble Beach Motoring Classic. This nine-day excursion from the Seattle area to the Monterey Peninsula traversed scenic but challenging roads along the Oregon and Northern California coasts. Following completion of this rigorous mechanical test, it was judged at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance®, where the Horch’s restoration quality, attention to detail, and authenticity helped garner it a First in Class award.
With just 16 examples known today, a recent extensive restoration, and its roadworthiness confirmed, this Horch offers its next owner a wide range of opportunities in any aspect of the collector car world.