Horch Typ 40 Kfz21 cabriolet query

[kerryboo]

Hello,
I have a query about the somewhat illusive six-seat cabriolet built on the Horch 108 Typ 40 heavy uniform Pkw. In publications and online I have only ever seen photos of Paul Conrath's car at Grafenwohr, registered WL-483591. I have photos of two further examples, both Luftwaffe vehicles, registered WL-483575 and WL-483588.
All of the source material I have found says that a limited, or small, number of these cars was produced. Do the very close registrations indicate that a limited run was produced at the behest of the Luftwaffe procurement office? Or, perhaps there are photos or documentation of other examples with Heer, or even SS or Kriegsmarine registration?
If anyone has any information on these cabriolets, or if they have photos of others, please could they help to clarify if the production was entirely for the Luftwaffe.
Many thanks,
Kerry.

[ilfil]

Hi Kerry,
The staff cabriolet was used by Heers too, one of them even by the Desert Fox in Africa, if you mean this car:





Cheers!

[kerryboo]

Hi ilfil,

No, I mean the Horch 108 heavy standard Pkw. There are very many photos of the Horch 901 medium Pkw, but extremely few of the heavy model.

Here is a crop and enlargement of one of the type, in this case WL-483588.

Thanks for the interest,

Kerry.

[Alanmccoubrey]

Kerry, how can you tell that your car is in fact a staff car ? It looks exactly like a normal run of the mill troop carrier to me so what are the identifying features of the staff car ?

[kerryboo]

Hello Alan,

In answer, the obvious main factors are:-

A/ Fixed, non-folding windscreen of slightly curved form on a contoured scuttle.

B/ Rearward rake to windscreen.

C/ Slight outward curve and twin parallel upper mouldings to body panels.

D/ Surface mounted door handles, not sunk into squared recesses.

E/ Windscreen wipers at bottom of the windscreen, not mounted on the top rail.

F/ Bulbous bootlid, such as seen on the Horch 901 and Steyr Kfz21s, although not visible in the view shown.

G/ Driver's side, door-pillar mounted spotlight.

H/ Running boards.

There are many other, minor, differences, but these are the most obvious. Overall the vehicle has a more "luxury cabriolet" look than the common troop carrier.

Here are comparative scan, I hope that I have answered your query?

Regards,

Kerry.

[kerryboo]

Although clearly of very poor focus and subject to camera shake, this might help to illustrate the body style more fully,

Kerry.

[ilfil]

Hi Kerry,
Sorry, my mistake. Those factory designations are somewhat confusing and I often confuse 108 and 901.
Now I see, will look around to find more. It seems to me the running boards and the side stampings are the best ID points on pictures, they catch the eye immediately.
Cheers!

[kerryboo]

Hi ilfil,
Thanks, I understand the confusion.
Yes, those are the most obvious, but I tried to list all of the major differences, as you know, photos often do not give the optimum view.
The amount of information available is very thin, so any help will be gratefully received, perhaps we can add some "flesh to the bones".
Regards,
Kerry.

[Alanmccoubrey]

Thanks Kerry, now I know what to look for.

[uncle]

Hi Kerry.
More photos.

[kerryboo]

Hi uncle,

Thank you, that is the photo of Paul Conrath at Grafenwohr. Until now that is the only image i can find online or in print.

Another feature which I have no explanation for is the canister mounted below the bumper on the driver's side. It also features in the photos I have, but I have not seen it on any other body types of the Horch 108.

Thanks again,

Kerry.

[uncle]

Hi Kerry.
In this book there is not much information.

[kerryboo]

Hi uncle,

That is interesting, it is the same photograph that is used by Reinhard Frank in his photo-book Cars of the Wehrmacht. Conrath's car also appears to have the same application of camouflage paint as my photos. I suspect Conrath's and my specimens were all used by the Hermann Goering panzer division, but were they the only users?

Thank you for showing that book,

Kerry.