| Horch Type 600/670 | |
|---|---|
 A 1938 model of the Horch 830. | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Horch |
| Production | 1933–1940 produced |
| Assembly | Zwickau, Germany |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Full-size luxury car (F) |
| Body style | roadster, limousine and cabriolet (each with 2-door or 4-door options) |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | |
| Transmission | 4-speed manual /optional overdrive |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase |
|
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Horch 12 |
The Horch 830 is an eight-cylinder luxury car produced by the German manufacturer Horch from 1933 to 1940. This model featured rear-wheel drive and was mainly offered in roadster, limousine and cabriolet styles. At least 11,000 units had been built in the Horch factory at Zwickau before World War II. Afterwards, modified models of the Horch 830 were used as staff cars and utility vehicles by the Wehrmacht.
History
The Horch 830 was first introduced in 1933 at the International Motor Show Germany in Berlin. It was intended to act as the successor to its V12-powered predecessor, the Horch 8.[1] The car was also developed under Auto Union, which had merged Horch together with manufacturers Audi, DKW, and Wanderer in 1932.[2] Between 1933 to 1940, at least 11,000 units were produced at the Horch factory in Zwickau, until the outbreak of World War II caused production to cease completely.[1] It was the first Horch to be fitted with a transverse leaf spring suspension.[3] For 1935 the 830B was later joined by the long wheelbase 830BL ("L" for lang); during 1935 the name of the shorter version was changed to 830 Bk ("k" for kurz).
In January 1937, the Bk was replaced by the 930 V ("V" for verkürzt), which sat on a shorter yet wheelbase.[4] Both this and the 830 BL also benefitted from increased power thanks to twin, side draft carburettors and a somewhat higher compression ratio. The 930 V also received new, more aerodynamic bodywork. In September 1938 the engine was enlarged again, a longer stroke providing 3.8 litres of displacement; the engine was fitted with two Solex carburettors.
Some models of the Horch 830 were given to the Wehrmacht for use as military light utility vehicles and staff cars with a similar purpose to the Kübelwagen.[5][6][7] These models had been extensively modified and fitted with off-road tyres as well as a new suspension system with rigid axles at the front and rear to allow the car to be used for off-road activities.[5][6][7]
Specifications
The Horch 830 was released in the roadster, limousine and cabriolet styles, with convertible roof versions available as well as 2-door and 4-door variants for each model type. It featured rear-wheel drive with a four-speed, fully synchronized transmission, and was fitted with a flathead, 66-degree V8 engine – unlike its predecessor the Horch 12, which had a V12 engine.[1][8]
Technical data
| 830 | 830 B | 830 BL | 830 Bk | 930 V | 830 BL | 930 V | 830 BL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model year(s) | 1933–1934 | 1935 | 1935–1936 | 1936 | 1937–1938 | 1938–1940 | ||
| Engine | Side valve V8 | |||||||
| Bore × Stroke | 75 mm × 85 mm (2.95 in × 3.35 in) | 78 mm × 85 mm (3.07 in × 3.35 in) | 78 mm × 92 mm (3.07 in × 3.62 in) | 78 mm × 100 mm (3.07 in × 3.94 in) | ||||
| Displacement | 3,004 cc (183.3 cu in) | 3,250 cc (198.3 cu in) | 3,517 cc (214.6 cu in) | 3,823 cc (233.3 cu in) | ||||
| Maximum power | 70 PS (51 kW) | 75 PS (55 kW) at 3600 rpm | 82 PS (60 kW) | 92 PS (68 kW) at 3200 rpm | ||||
| Top speed | 110–115 km/h (68–71 mph) | 115 km/h (71 mph) | 120 km/h (75 mph) | 125 km/h (78 mph) | 120 km/h (75 mph) | 130 km/h (81 mph) | 125 km/h (78 mph) | |
| Curb weight | 1,650–1,730 kg (3,638–3,814 lb) | 1,650 kg (3,638 lb) | 1,950 kg (4,299 lb) | 1,840 kg (4,057 lb) | 1,900 kg (4,189 lb) | 2,030 kg (4,475 lb) | 1,960 kg (4,321 lb) | 2,100 kg (4,630 lb) |
| Length | 4,750 mm (187.0 in) | 5,050 mm (198.8 in) | 4,750 mm (187.0 in) | 4,920 mm (193.7 in) | 5,050 mm (198.8 in) | 4,920 mm (193.7 in) | 5,050 mm (198.8 in) | |
| Width | 1,780 mm (70.1 in) | 1,680 mm (66.1 in) | 1,790 mm (70.5 in) | 1,780 mm (70.1 in) | 1,790 mm (70.5 in) | 1,780 mm (70.1 in) | ||
| Height | 1,600–1,650 mm (63.0–65.0 in) | 1,600 mm (63.0 in) | 1,650 mm (65.0 in) | 1,600 mm (63.0 in) | 1,625 mm (64.0 in) | 1,650 mm (65.0 in) | 1,625 mm (64.0 in) | 1,650 mm (65.0 in) |
| Wheelbase | 3,200 mm (126.0 in) | 3,350 mm (131.9 in) | 3,200 mm (126.0 in) | 3,100 mm (122.0 in) | 3,350 mm (131.9 in) | 3,100 mm (122.0 in) | 3,350 mm (131.9 in) | |
| Track front/rear | 1,440 / 1,470 mm (56.7 / 57.9 in) | 1,440 / 1,500 mm (56.7 / 59.1 in) | 1,440 / 1,470 mm (56.7 / 57.9 in) | 1,440 / 1,500 mm (56.7 / 59.1 in) | 1,440 / 1,470 mm (56.7 / 57.9 in) | 1,440 / 1,500 mm (56.7 / 59.1 in) | ||
| Turning circle | 12 m (39 ft; 472 in) | 13.5 m (44 ft; 531 in) | 12 m (39 ft; 472 in) | 11.5 m (38 ft; 453 in) | 13.5 m (44 ft; 531 in) | 11.5 m (38 ft; 453 in) | 13.5 m (44 ft; 531 in) | |
In popular culture
- A Horch 830 cabriolet was famously driven by Charles de Gaulle after World War II until his election to the presidency in 1959. This cabriolet was reportedly captured from the Wehrmacht forces of Dietrich von Choltitz. It is now on display at the Military History Museum in Dresden, complete with a French flag.[9]
See also
References
- Kirchberg, Peter (2006). Horch: Typen, Technik, Modelle [Horch: Types, Technology, Models] (in German) (2nd ed.). Delius Klasing. ISBN 9783768817752.
- Friese, Ralf (2025). Audi's Historic Fleet: Horch, DKW, NSU, Wanderer, Auto Union, Audi AG. Germany: Schiffer. ISBN 0764371029.
- Takashima, Shizuo (25 July 1977). "Vintage Car Salon: 1939 Horch 853 Cabriolet". Car Graphic (in Japanese). No. 197, issue 8/77. Nigensha Publishing Co., Ltd. p. 122.
- "Horch 1937". Classic Car Catalogue (in English and Polish). Archived from the original on 2021-09-19.
- Ellis, Chris (1974). Directory of Wheeled Vehicles of the Wehrmacht (1st ed.). Ducimus Books Limited. ISBN 0903234025.
- Einheits-PKW: Leicht, Mittel, Schwer [Einheits-PKW: Light, Medium, Heavy]. Tankograd Wehrmacht Special (in English and German). Vol. 21. Tankograd Publishing. 1970.
- Lindberg, Leo (2021-12-04). Kübelwagen (1st ed.). ISBN 9798778910058.
- "Horch Type 930/830". Classic & Sports Car. Haymarket Media Group.
- Stou, Jack (2020-06-06). "La Horch 830 du Général De Gaulle". Rétro Passion Automobiles (in French). Retrieved 2026-04-13.