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At the same time when development of the Einheitsfahrgestell II für s. Pkw – a standard chassis for heavy passenger cars which was used as chassis for the s. gl. Einheits-Pkw - was started, development of the Einheitsfahrgestell I für s. Pkw – a further standard chassis for heavy passenger cars - which was used as chassis for the 4-wheeled armoured cars - was started. Both chassis had all-wheel drive and all-wheel steering. The Einheitsfahrgestell II had its engine at the front while the Einheitsfahrgestell I had a rear engine. The Einheitsfahrgestell I was exclusively manufactured by Horch. The armoured superstructures of the 4-wheeled armoured cars were made by Deutsche Edelstahlwerke Hannover, Boehler Werk Kapfenberg and Schoeller Bleckmann in Muerzzuschlag. Final assembly of the different production models (not all manufacturers made all variants or were involved in the whole production period) was made by Büssing-NAG, Deutsche-Werke Kiel, Daimler-Benz Werk Berlin-Marienfelde, Schichau Elbing, Eisenwerk Weserhütte, Wegmann Kassel and by MNH.
The first vehicle with Horch 801 chassis was tested beginning in July 1934. Serial production of the Einheitsfahrgestell I für s. Pkw. Typ Horch 801 started in April 1935. This chassis was made in four production series until 1941. Altogether 359 chassis of the first series were made from April 1935 to August 1936 and from January to March 1937. They were used for the production of 153 Sd. Kfz. 221 (10 of these for China), 76 Sd. Kfz. 222 (4 of these for China) and 121 Sd. Kfz. 223 (4 of these for China). It is not know for what the remaining 9 chassis were used. From January to March 1938, 126 chassis of the second series were made. These were used for the production of 54 Sd. Kfz. 221 (8 of these for an unknown customer) and 72 Sd. Kfz. 222. The 332 chassis of the third series were manufactured from February to June 1939. They were used for the Production of 150 Sd. Kfz. 221, 64 Sd. Kfz. 222 and 118 Sd. Kfz. 223. Altogether 612 chassis of the fourth series were made from July 1940 to September 1941. They were used for the production of 232 Sd. Kfz. 222, 112 Sd. Kfz. 223, 36 Sd. Kfz. 260 and 215 Sd. Kfz. 261. The remaining 17 chassis were used for still unknown purposes. During the production of the four series, the chassis and the armoured superstructures were further developed. The Einheitsfahrgestell I für s. Pkw. Typ Horch 801 of the first to fourth series were also designated Ausführung A.
The improved Einheitsfahrgestell I für s. Pkw. Typ Horch 801/v was manufactured from January 1942 to April 1943. The improved chassis was strengthened, a 3.8 l engine replaced the 3.5 l engine and the cable brakes were replaced by a hydraulic braking system. Of this fifth series, 991 chassis were manufactured. They were used for the production of 550 Sd. Kfz. 222, 208 Sd. Kfz. 223, 96 Sd. Kfz. 260 and 137 Sd. Kfz. 261. The vehicles based on the Horch 801/v chassis were also designated Ausführung B.
The first variant produced was the leichter Panzerspähwagen (MG) (Sd. Kfz. 221) which was armed with one MG 34. It was manufactured from 1935 to August 1940. Serial production of the leichter Panzerspähwagen (Fu) (Sd. Kfz. 223) started in 1935. It was manufactured until February 1944. From 1935 to June 1943, the leichter Panzerspähwagen (2 cm) (Sd. Kfz. 222) armed with a 2 cm KwK and one MG 34 was manufactured. Serial production of the kleiner Panzerfunkwagen (Sd. Kfz. 260 & 261) started in April 1941. They were manufactured until April 1943.
The s. gl. gp. Pkw (4-Rad) (Sd. Kfz. 247) – a heavy armoured passenger car – was an exceptional case. Contrary to the other 4-wheeled armoured cars – which were based on the Einheitsfahrgestell I – the Sd. Kfz. 247 (4-Rad) was based on the Einheitsfahrgestell II für s. Pkw. Horch Typ 1 c. This chassis – which had a front engine but no supporting wheels and no all-wheel steering – was exclusively used for the production of the Sd. Kfz. 247 (4-Rad). 58 vehicles were made from July 1941 to January 1942.
All in all, the 4-wheeled armoured cars were a successful development. But under Russian conditions, the vehicles proved to be too complicated and vulnerable. The cross-country mobility was insufficient, too. After production was stopped, the 4-wheeled armoured cars were replaced by armoured half-track vehicles of the Sd. Kfz. 250 series or reconnaissance tanks like the Panzer II L. Many of these vehicles have served until the end of war.
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