The latest look back at old classified advertisements features a 1937 Horch Type 853 Sports Cabriolet offered for sale in the June 1974 issue of Hemmings for $24,900.
The Horch Type 853 Sports Cabriolet was popular among Germany’s rich and famous, as it was the only German-made car that offered an alternative to Mercedes-Benz. (Horch was part of Auto Union with Audi, DKW and Wanderer).
This particular Horch 853 Sports Cabriolet was offered for sale with “completely restored engine, new tires, new top, new leather, paint and carpet.”
Prices for the Horch 853 Sports Cabriolet are fairly difficult to establish, as most price guides do not follow the market. A 1938 Horch 853 Special Roadster recently sold for $1,849,100 at the RM Auctions Automobiles of London event, although it is believed to be much more desirable than a “run of the mill” Sports Cabriolet. Several Horch 853 Sports Cabriolets reached $225,000 – $500,000 at auction over the past 10 years, so we would estimate that a well-documented, clean example would bring $500,000 in today’s market.
If you bought the Horch for $24,900 in 1974, then your investment would have returned approximately 9% over 34 years.
[Source: Hemmings]
