On this doctrine came many a German officer to his end

Posted on 02-01-2015 at 18:45 by dizono – 35 Comments”

An air-cooled V8 in the back, three headlights and one tail fin, not so crazy about this car during the Second world War was popular with the German occupiers.

We are talking here about the Tatra T87, a by Hans Ledwinka designed Czech luxury car with air-cooled V8 engine in the back. However, it is not the engine, but especially the design that this Church makes it so special and perhaps one of the most beautiful cars ever. Tatra and Ledwinka were experimenting early on with aerodynamics, which in 1934 led to the Tatra T77. This T87 was in 1938 and had smoother lines.

To the front of the Tatras, however, what to think of the Volkswagen Beetle, not bad when you consider that Ledwinka often consultation had with Ferdinand Porsche. Ledwinka’s Tatra V570 from 1931 looks very much like the beetle, all we may the role of Josef Ganz’ it seems also not planing. Back to the Tatras, which are the most striking feature of a large tail fin, this would be the rechtuitstabiliteit improve. Nevertheless, it was the car by his heavy achtcilinder behind the rear axle rather staartlastig .

When the Germans Czech republic invaded, they were so charmed by the T87 that they Tatras allowed the car to continue to produce. Since all the other automobile manufacturers worldwide have switched over to the production of tanks, jeeps and aircraft engines, Tatra still the manufacturer along contiguous passenger cars has produced. This while the brand in 1997, the cars good-bye said, and only on trucks going to focus, you can see that for every year the Dakar will see popping up.

Nazi minister Fritz Todt described the T87 as the ultimate Autobahn car and also other high-ranking Germans were fond of the Tatras. The 3-litre achtcilinder delivered 85 hp, enough for an at that time very high top speed of 160 kilometers per hour. The tricky handling of the Tatra made in combination with voortjakkerende Germans than several fatal accidents, so much that German officers was forbidden to in Tatra’s to drive and the T87 in history as ‘the Czech republic’s secret weapon’.

Gallery: Tatra T87

”

“