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Tatra 57 - advanced sedan with air-cooled front engine

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Created on March 4, 2012

Text:

Bruno von Rotz

Photos:

Daniel Reinhard

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Bruno von Rotz

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Archiv

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Daniel Reinhard

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Bruno von Rotz

20

Archiv

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Tatra 57 B (1948) - looks more streamlined than it is

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Tatra 57 B (1948) - four-seater saloon with front engine

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Tatra 57 B (1948) - rear view

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Tatra 57 A (1938) - a model 57 B from 1948 next to a white 57 A

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Tatra 57 A (1938) - less chrome decoration on the earlier model compared to the (red) 57 B

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Tatra 57 A (1938) - free-standing headlights

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Tatra 57 A (1938) - hardly any differences in the design of the front end between the A and B models

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Tatra 57 B (1948) - the radiator grille is a dummy

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Tatra 57 B (1948) - comparatively much space for the crew

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Tatra 57 B (1948) - was considered a modern, reliable and inexpensive vehicle to operate before the war

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Tatra 57 B (1948) - typical pre-war design elements

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Tatra 57 B (1948) - left-hand drive was not available from the start

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Tatra 57 B (1948) - the side doors open to the rear

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Tatra 57 B (1948) - Speedometer up to 100 kmh

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Tatra 57 B (1948) - Simple controls, but hardly any lettering

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Tatra 57 B (1948) - uncovered steering column

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Tatra 57 B (1948) - the operation does not raise any major questions

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Tatra 57 B (1948) - red suits the car particularly well

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Tatra 57 B (1948) - The battery reveals the modern recording

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Tatra 57 B (1948) - The hood provides good access to the engine

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Tatra 57 B (1948) - the cooling fan of the air-cooled engine is clearly visible

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Tatra 57 B (1948) - Boxer or V-engine with 180 degree angle

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Tatra 57 B (1948) - the hood opens like a big mouth

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Tatra 57 B (1948) - unusual perspective

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Tatra 57 B (1948) - The mudguards reveal the age of the design

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Tatra 57 B (1948) - chrome trim and free-standing headlights

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Tatra 57 B (1948) - some of the lamps had to be retrofitted in order to comply with the regulations

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Tatra 57 B (1948) - The brake light is clearly marked

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Tatra 57 B (1948) - the stoplight on the rear

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Tatra 57 B (1939) - title page of a sales brochure from 1939

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Tatra 57 B (1939) - Illustration from the sales brochure

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Tatra 57 B (1939) - the radiator was basically a dummy

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Tatra 57 B (1939) - rear view of the front-engined saloon - conspicuous by the absence of rear lighting elements

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Tatra 57 B (1939) - compact and not inelegant

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Tatra 57 B (1947) - at a car show in 1947

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Tatra 57 B (1939) - Interior of the two-door car - Illustration from the sales brochure

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Tatra 57 B (1946) - Interior and dashboard - Illustration from a type sheet

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Tatra 57 B (1939) - Chassis construction around the central tube

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Tatra 57 B sports car (1939) - as an open two-seater sports car

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Tatra 57 B sports car (1939) - as a two-seater sports car

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Tatra 57 B Cabriolet (1946) - opening the convertible sedan - illustration from a brochure

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Tatra 57 B (1947) - painted illustration from a post-war sales brochure

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Summary

Although Tatra is primarily known for its rear-engined streamliners, front-engined models such as the Type 57 are also among the Czech car manufacturer's successes. With air cooling and a 180-degree V-engine, 25 hp and central tubular frame, the reliable and economical four-seater sold over 15,000 units. This report goes into the history of its development and technology, and shows a Model 57 B built in 1948 in detail in 43 illustrations, supplemented by sales brochures and data sheet.

This article contains the following chapters

Evolutionary history over 23 years
Modified Tatra 57 A
Improved Type 57 B
Modern engine design
The ingenious chassis
The undemanding car for the demanding driver
Economy written in capital letters
Satisfied owners
Different body versions
Only a few vehicles left
Further information

Estimated reading time: 6min

Preview (beginning of the article)

When you think of Tatra, if you remember this Czech brand at all, you usually think of the better-known rear-engined saloon cars, some of which were powered by eight-cylinder engines, capable of above-average top speeds and looked quite adventurous. However, even before the war, the Czech manufacturer built an advanced, conventionally powered passenger car called the Tatra 57 or "Hadimrska", which means "muddler", probably because of its good driving characteristics. Tatra launched the Type 12 developed by Hans Ledwinka as early as 1926. With its two-cylinder boxer engine, air cooling and simple but ingenious chassis design with central tube, the Type 12 anticipated key elements of the subsequent Type 57.

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