Tatra 57

Tatra 57
Overview
Manufacturer	Závody Tatra
Production	1932–1949 T 57: 1932–36 T 57A: 1936–38 T 57B: 1938–49
Body and chassis
Class	compact car
Body style	two-door sedan, convertible or coupé
Layout	FR layout
Chassis	backbone chassis
Related	Austro-Tatra 57 L
Powertrain
Engine	1,155 cc, 18 hp (13 kW) flat-four T 57A: 1,155 cc, 20 hp (15 kW) T 57B: 1,256 cc, 25 hp (19 kW)
Dimensions
Length	3,500 mm (137.8 in)
Width	1,500 mm (59.1 in)
Height	1,500 mm (59.1 in)
Curb weight	730 kg (1,609 lb)
Chronology
Predecessor	Tatra 12

The Tatra 57 are a series of two-door compact cars, built by Czechoslovakian company Tatra from 1932. They are popularly known by the nickname "Hadimrška".

Tatra updated the model as the 57A in 1936, and as 57B in 1938. A military adaptation, the 57K, (for Kübelwagen) was introduced in 1941. Through 1945, more than 5,000 Tatra Kübelwagens were built.

All versions have a characteristic Tatra backbone chassis, with the drive-shaft running encased in its central structural tube.

Tatra ended production of the 57K in 1947, and of the 57B in 1949. With that the company altogether withdrew from making compact cars; from 1948 its smallest model was the 2 litre Tatra 600.

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  Tatra 57B flat four engine.
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  Tatra 57 (left) and Tatra 11 (right).
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  Tatra 57B interior.

History

Tatra 57

The Tatra type 57, introduced in 1931, succeeded the Tatra 12. Styling continued the same streamlined, closed nose front as its predecessors – Type 11 and 12. It has a 1,155 cc overhead valve flat-four engine that produces 18 hp (13 kW). Its fuel consumption is between eight and 10 litres per 100 km. Bodies offered included a four-seat saloon, four-seat convertible and two-seat convertible. All were two-door.

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  White Tatra 57.
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  Tatra 57 convertible.
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  Tatra 57 rear.

Tatra 57A

In 1935 Tatra replaced the Type 57 with the 57A – changing to a more conventional open front grille design. The 1,155 cc engine's power output was increased to 20 hp (15 kW). The body was restyled, and given a radiator grille similar to that of the larger Tatra 75. A commercial van version was offered.

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  Tatra 57A
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  Tatra 57A convertible.
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  Tatra 57A combi.

Tatra 57B

In 1938 Tatra replaced the Type 57A with the 57B. For the new model Tatra enlarged the engine to 1,256 cc and increased its power to 25 hp (19 kW).

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  Tatra 57B.
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  Tatra 57B rear.
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  Blue Tatra 57B

Tatra 57K

Tatra 57 K
Overview
Manufacturer	Závody Tatra
Production	1941–1947
Body and chassis
Class	compact car
Body style	4-door convertible
Chassis	backbone chassis
Powertrain
Engine	1,256 cc (77 cu in), 23 hp (17 kW) air-cooled flat-four petrol engine
Transmission	4-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,550 mm (100.4 in)
Length	3,980 mm (156.7 in)
Width	1,550 mm (61.0 in)
Height	1,690 mm (66.5 in)
Curb weight	870 kg (1,918.0 lb)

In 1941, Tatra added the 57K Kübelwagen, which was a military four-door convertible for the German Wehrmacht in World War II, officially designated as "Leichter Personenkraftwagen" (le. Pkw.) Tatra 57K. It was constructed on the Germans' specifications, with increased ground clearance and a 1,256 cc engine, detuned to 23 hp (17 kW).

From 1941 to 1945, Tatra manufactured 5,415 units of the Tatra T 57 K, which were frequently used by Nazi police forces. Production of this model further continued through 1947.

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See also

• Tatra V570

Bibliography

• Tuček, Jan (2017). Auta první republiky 1918–1938 (in Czech). Prague: Grada Publishing. pp. 150–152, 275–278. ISBN 978-80-271-0466-6.

External links

• Media related to Tatra 57 at Wikimedia Commons