Over the years I’ve read about the Horch automobile and viewed many photos but this was the first time seeing one in the metal. And what a shock it was, because at first glance I thought it had to be a Mercedes, one of those mammoth 500K’s nazi leaders liked to be chauffered in before the war! The marque has a fascinating history, dating back to August Horch’s first car in 1901; unfortunately a falling out with the directors of his company in 1909 led him to create a new auto manufacturer named – are you ready for this? – AUDI. Meanwhile the Horch, minus August, established a reputation for quality engineering which frequently put it in competition with Mercedes. At the 1939 German Motor Show Horch displayed some spectacular automobiles, including the rare120 hp, straight-eight, Model 853 seen here in the Steamworks Concours. The “sale” sign was not intended for the Steamworks Concours but seemed an appropriate background.

• Steamworks Report No. 5: 1913 Peerless 6-48 Torpedo
• By the Steam Clock, Some Rare and Beautiful Automobiles
• Steam's on the Boil at 2007 Vancouver Concours
• Steamworks Report No. 4: 1950 Customised Mercury Coupe
• Muscle Cars Star in 2007 Steamworks Concours
• Steamworks Report No. 1: 1953 Fiat V-8
• Steamworks Report No. 3: 1896 Roper Steam-driven Motorcycle
• Clocking in at the Steamworks
• Steamworks Report No. 7: 1963 Sunbeam Rapier
• Age Before Beauty at Steamworks Concours