Horch 830 History

Introduced in 1933, the Horch 830 brought a side-valve V8 engine — displacing 3.0 litres and producing 70 PS initially — to a slightly smaller and more affordable Horch body. It sat below the large straight-eight models in price, but retained the marque's reputation for build quality and coachwork refinement. Over the model's life the engine grew to 3.8 litres delivering 92 PS, with top speeds of 110–130 km/h depending on specification.

Body styles included two- and four-door limousines, cabriolets, and roadsters, giving buyers and coachbuilders considerable latitude. The Wehrmacht adopted modified 830-series chassis as staff and utility vehicles; one 830 cabriolet gained particular historical fame as a car driven by Charles de Gaulle after the liberation of France — it is now preserved at the Military History Museum in Dresden.

At least 11,000 units were produced at the Zwickau factory before the outbreak of World War II halted civilian production completely. A related 930 series carried updated specifications through the end of the run.