The Horch 901

[XRCD011]

I had the pleausre of viewing and riding in one of only two wartime Horch 901,s in North America during the past weekend and shall share some pics. The "car" is the latest restoration of the Graebe Collection and came to Ohio for the KKUSA annual reunion for a bit of a shake down drive and operation. 1937 production, did its war service, then used as a fire fighting vehicle (according to markings found under paint). Still has a number of things to make complete (windscreen, top bows and canvas) but a rare, living example and a bit out of the ordinary (only the third Horch I have ever seen).


http://www.fahrzeuge-der-wehrmacht.de/Artikel/E-Pkw_m.html

^ For back ground on the Horch

^ Normandy, Day+75

 

[Donny Fenn1]

Nice, one of my favorite model kits back in the day.

 

[Grizzly Adams]

Horch was the name of the founder of the company, kind of means to listen, in German. He lost control of the company and went on to form AUDI, a further play on his name. Sound familiar ?

Grizz

 

[XRCD011]

This Horch 901 is highlighted in the Feb/Mar MVPA History in Motion by Rick Fory

Skip to 27 seconds in to see a Canadian firing a Bren over a Horch bonnet.

 

[JasonGTA]

What a sweet ride

 

[Ed Smurf]

Do I see 2 spare spark plugs on the right side engine compartment?

 

[XRCD011]

Do I see 2 spare spark plugs on the right side engine compartment?

Yes the Germans like doing things like making a fancy little holder for spare plugs.

Pvt E.H. Mcallister (1:10 into the reel) history.

https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/memorials/canadian-virtual-war-memorial/detail/2641998

 

[Coyote Ugly]

Thanks for sharing! Pretty cool vehicle.

 

[Ganderite]

What is that turbine - like thing on the air cleaner?

 

[XRCD011]

What is that turbine - like thing on the air cleaner?

Good question and the short answer is IDK but will ask the owner in Aug. As it is horizontal in set up, I lean towards it being a Cyclone/Zyklon type verses oil bath air cleaner, the HK101 has a (larger) like turbine look for the radiator that really serves little feature, and the VW166 went from early oil bath, to Zyklon/Wirbelwind air cleaner towards end of production in 1944. As I HATE oil bath air cleaners all my vehicle run with dry paper cartridge filters.

 

[AP]

You may not find this anywhere but there were a number of court martials (possibly summary trials) that were conducted by Canadian military at cessation of hostilities. The attending personnel were ‘regular’ army officers who could be expected to keep their mouths shut. Often the presiding officer included a Brigadier Rutherford who was a much admired and well regarded legal advocate.

One case involved a Canadian officer who had commandeered a Dutch residence along with the butler and maids (other staff) to provide for his personal accommodation..at the Dutch owners expense… this resulted in the officer being brought up on charges etc.

Relevant to this interesting thread was the story involving another officer (much admired) of senior rank who was also charged when a Horch staff car and other ‘booty’ was discovered on a dock awaiting shipment having been consigned to the senior officers family farm in western Canada. The story was that Canadian forces commanded by this senior officer had captured/intercepted the vehicle (and the booty it was carrying) as a German officer was trying to evade capture and return to Germany. Apparently the Canadian Sr Officer figured it was fair game … and legitimate ‘spoils of war’ … my understanding from my father who was familiar with these matters was that they were kept very quiet so as to minimize damage to the reputation of the involved individuals and the CF. And to avoid pissing off the Canadian public.

 

[Mitchum96]

Someone took really good care of those cars or did an amazing restoration, Really cool looking vehicles.