The Tatra 600 is the brand’s first passenger car, which was developed after the end of World War II. With its aerodynamic bodywork, it was clearly a continuation of the pre-war streamlined Tatras – models 77, 77A, 87 and 97. However, it was not born easily.
The car, originally designated as type (T) 107, was supposed to replace the already somewhat outdated Tatra 57 B (“Snake”). Compared to the Tatra 87, whose production continued for several years after the war, the novelty was supposed to be smaller and cheaper. It was therefore expected to install a four-cylinder engine instead of an eight-cylinder engine. However, the concept was to remain Tatra and the air-cooled flat engine was located behind the rear axle.
The first prototype was created at the end of 1946, the next at the beginning of 1947. The legendary Hans Ledwinka, the former technical and general director of Kopřivnica Tatry, the creator of the classic Tatra concept and the father of aerodynamic models, who was detained after the war for alleged collaboration with by the German occupiers (it was rehabilitated in 1992). During visits to the prison in Nové Jičín, designer Vladimír Popelář consulted with Ledwinka on the development.
Serial production of the Tatra 600 Tatraplan started in Kopřivnice on June 4, 1948, but it did not last long and was terminated by directive in 1951 and transferred to Mladá Boleslav, where Škoda cars were produced. Actually, to the rival.
Why Tatraplan?
The Tatra 600 was created as a type 107, so the name followed the pre-war cars with a lucky seven at the end. But when the Kopřivničtí car was sent to the Prague motor show in 1947, they were given the name Tatraplan, which eventually appeared on the front fender label of the production cars. Two explanations appear.
According to one, the car earned the name Tatraplan by comparison with the graceful shape of an airplane – an airplane – according to another, the reason was that the car was simply created as part of the government’s two-year plan from December 1946.
The novelty was finally given the number 600 due to a change in the labeling of Tatra products, which introduced the number series 600 for passenger cars.
The ruling communist party, which managed the entire industry after nationalization, had a different task for Tatra. The Kopřivnice manufacturer should have concentrated on heavy trucks. Tatraplan lasted on the Škoda production line only until 1952.
A total of 6,335 Tatraplans were produced, of which 4,235 were produced in Kopřivnice. According to other sources, there were 6,342 T 600 cars, of which 4,242 were in Kopřivnice.
Tatra 600 for today
The interesting and actually quite sad story of the Tatra 600 contributes to the fact that the Tatraplan is today one of the most admired and well-known passenger vehicles of the Kopřivnica automobile company. Her fans also include Daniel Novák, a student who already designs cars at the age of 14 and is gaining recognition for his skills in automotive design and 3D modeling.
Of course, Daniel especially appreciates the T 600’s iconic design. And he thinks his main ideas could work quite well today or in the near future. That’s why he set to work and created a concept of a modern Tatraplan exclusively for Garáž.cz.
At the same time, the study preserves the principles of the original – the car is sleek and aerodynamic and has a combustion engine at the back. The shape is of course significantly more modern, the car got bigger wheels, imaginative LED headlights with a distinctive light signature or recessed handles, but a number of details directly follow the pattern.
For example, notice the round headlights, the chrome line on the front hood, the design of the rear windows, the hint of a rear fin or the side covering of the rear wheels. “The covers are designed with a flip mechanism. If necessary, for example to change the wheels, they can be easily folded away,” says Daniel Novák.
Photo: Daniel Novák
He conceived his vision as a luxury passenger car concept. So the modern T 600 moved “higher” than what role the original had. The Tatraplan was a mid-range car.
In the interior we find light leather and lots of real wood. “I wanted the cabin to feel modern, but at the same time, so that the passengers feel that time has stopped when they close the door. The front passenger and the two rear passengers have the option to change the position of their seats. In a comfortable setting, they can even use the pull-out footrest. And there is a massage function,” adds Daniel.
Do you like the study of the modern Tatra 600 Tatraplan by 14-year-old Daniel Novák?
Yes, I would like to see a similar car on the roads.
A total of 97 readers voted.
2023-08-05 03:02:46
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