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In 1931, Tatra introduced the T57 model, with the air-cooled, four cylinder, overhead valve engine placed in the front. The T57 was one of Tatra’s most popular models–four series were produced. It remained in production until after World War II. The example shown here is a T57 (series 1) and was nicknamed “Hadimrška” which means […]

Tatra began experimenting with car aerodynamics in the early 1930s and began work on an automobile design on which future Tatras were based for decades. The Tatra T77 was the world’s first serially produced aerodynamic-styled automobile powered by an air-cooled rear-mounted engine. The T87 you see here began production in 1936. With the outbreak of

After World War II, Tatra found itself stranded behind the Iron Curtain. Hans Ledwinka was accused of collaborating with the Nazis and was imprisoned from 1945-51. The T600 was introduced at the 1947 Prague Auto Salon. After World War II, Tatra’s chief designer was Julius Mackerly. He used many elements of the T87 to design

When the Czech Republic was formed, the centralized planned economy appointed Tatra to be the manufacturer for big automobiles (those cars with engine displacement over 2000cc). It was then that work began on developing the T603. This model was unveiled to the public in 1955 at the International Motor Event in Zlin, and production started

Tatra began as a Czechoslovakian car maker in 1922 and has been one of the largest auto makers behind the Iron Curtain.  The T613 was introduced in 1969 as a luxury automobile but it was available also as an ambulance. In ambulance form, it came with a carbureted motor, since the fuel-injected version was too

The first vehicles produced by Vidal under the Tempo name were 3-wheeled delivery vans, starting in 1926. By 1933, the company was producing a 2-seater passenger model powered by a 200cc single-cylinder engine. Four-wheeled cars were introduced in 1936. Before you is an example of their most unusual design–the twin engined G1200. It has a

The Sports 800 was Toyota’s first sports car, paving the way for the 2000GT, AE86/Levin, and the recent Scion FR-S/Toyota GT86. Based on the Publica sedan, the Sports 800 uses an air-cooled, horizontally-opposed, two-cylinder engine. The Sports 800 is tuned more for performance than the sensible Publica, with increased displacement and two carburetors. The car’s

Vespa is known around the world for its scooters, but few people may know it produced one economy car. The company’s president felt that FIAT’s prominence in Italy should not be challenged, so the Vespa 400 was produced in France. The four passenger coupe had a rolltop roof, all-independent coil spring suspension, and hydraulic brakes.

The Urba Centurion was a kit car designed by Quincy-Lynn Enterprises in 1982. A full set of plans, available through Mechanix Illustrated, cost a mere $17.00! The basis for the car is a 1970 Triumph Spitfire chassis with the British engine replaced by a three-cylinder 18 hp Kubota diesel engine. The body is handcrafted fiberglass