1934 TATRA T77 Limousine Prototype
After the side path of the Panhard I return to the streamlined car and pick up the story again at Tatra.
In 1933 Tatra presented their compact V570 prototype. It was developed by engineer Hans Ledwinka (Austria, 1878-1967) based on the ideas about streamlined cars by Paul Jaráy (Hungary, 1889-1974).
After Tatra had decided not to continue with the V570, Tatra encouraged their engineers to continue on the streamline car path. This resulted in the revolutionary T77 which was developed during 1933.
The Tatra T77 was first presented at the Prague Car Salon in March 1934. In the same month the T77 made its German public debut on the Berlin IAMA motor show. Here this futuristic car was admired by Führer Adolf Hitler. Already in Dec. 1933 he made some sketches of an streamlined rear-engined small car affordable for the common people. In the Tatra concept he found confirmation of his ideas and ordered Ferdinand Porsche to develop such an innovative car. We all know the outcome...
The Tatra T77 was based on the ideas about aerodynamics by designer and engineer Paul Jaray (Hungary, 1889-1974). Technical engineer was Hans Ledwinka (Austria, 1878-1967, also designer and engineer), while the body was designed by engineer and car designer Erich Übelacker (Czech, 1899-1977).
Jaray was an early pioneer in streamlined airplanes and car bodies. Ledwinka invented the so called backbone chassis: a frameless central tubular chassis with swing axles and with independent suspension. He had a preference for rear-mounted air-cooled engines, which were applied in all streamlined Tatras. The revolutionary ideas of these automotive inventors resulted in one of the greatest cars ever, at least to my opinion.
The Tatra T77 was the first successfully serial produced rear-engined car according to the streamlined principles.
Note that here Tatra returned to the flat windscreen. In 1933 it was still not possible to make a one-piece curved front window. Later T77 models would get a three-piece windscreen like we also see in the later 1936 Panhard Dynamic.
Also the central position of the wheel we see back in the early Panhard Dynamic.
2969 cc 8 cylinder air-cooled V-shaped rear-engine.
1800 kg.
Production Typ T77: Late 1933-1935.
Original pre-war Austrian reg. number.
Image source: Tatra, Tradition/Progrès/Prospérité, Tatra Technical Museum, Museum brochure, Section de Publicité Tatra Kopřivnice (CZ), 1990.
Original photographer and place unknown.
Original date: prob. early 1934.
Halfweg, Febr. 13, 2023.
© 1990/2023 Tatra/Sander Toonen, Halfweg | All Rights Reserved
1934 TATRA T77 Limousine Prototype
After the side path of the Panhard I return to the streamlined car and pick up the story again at Tatra.
In 1933 Tatra presented their compact V570 prototype. It was developed by engineer Hans Ledwinka (Austria, 1878-1967) based on the ideas about streamlined cars by Paul Jaráy (Hungary, 1889-1974).
After Tatra had decided not to continue with the V570, Tatra encouraged their engineers to continue on the streamline car path. This resulted in the revolutionary T77 which was developed during 1933.
The Tatra T77 was first presented at the Prague Car Salon in March 1934. In the same month the T77 made its German public debut on the Berlin IAMA motor show. Here this futuristic car was admired by Führer Adolf Hitler. Already in Dec. 1933 he made some sketches of an streamlined rear-engined small car affordable for the common people. In the Tatra concept he found confirmation of his ideas and ordered Ferdinand Porsche to develop such an innovative car. We all know the outcome...
The Tatra T77 was based on the ideas about aerodynamics by designer and engineer Paul Jaray (Hungary, 1889-1974). Technical engineer was Hans Ledwinka (Austria, 1878-1967, also designer and engineer), while the body was designed by engineer and car designer Erich Übelacker (Czech, 1899-1977).
Jaray was an early pioneer in streamlined airplanes and car bodies. Ledwinka invented the so called backbone chassis: a frameless central tubular chassis with swing axles and with independent suspension. He had a preference for rear-mounted air-cooled engines, which were applied in all streamlined Tatras. The revolutionary ideas of these automotive inventors resulted in one of the greatest cars ever, at least to my opinion.
The Tatra T77 was the first successfully serial produced rear-engined car according to the streamlined principles.
Note that here Tatra returned to the flat windscreen. In 1933 it was still not possible to make a one-piece curved front window. Later T77 models would get a three-piece windscreen like we also see in the later 1936 Panhard Dynamic.
Also the central position of the wheel we see back in the early Panhard Dynamic.
2969 cc 8 cylinder air-cooled V-shaped rear-engine.
1800 kg.
Production Typ T77: Late 1933-1935.
Original pre-war Austrian reg. number.
Image source: Tatra, Tradition/Progrès/Prospérité, Tatra Technical Museum, Museum brochure, Section de Publicité Tatra Kopřivnice (CZ), 1990.
Original photographer and place unknown.
Original date: prob. early 1934.
Halfweg, Febr. 13, 2023.
© 1990/2023 Tatra/Sander Toonen, Halfweg | All Rights Reserved