Tatra T77 from 1934 goes up for auction. Its renovation cost 22 million, so there is no shortage of ivory

One of the things we can be really proud of from our history is the Tatra T77 car. The car was designed by Hans Ledwinka and Erich Überlacker, but airship designer Paul Jaray also contributed. The result was a very advanced car in terms of technology, design and aerodynamics (for its time), which is admired here and around the world. In addition, it is one of the most influential interwar cars of the first half of the 20th century.

Between 1934 and 1936, only 106 cars of the original Tatra T77 were reportedly produced, before the updated T77 A version was created, which was later replaced by the T87 type. The car entered the history books mainly thanks to its advanced, almost radical design for its time, thanks to which the car was characterized by a low coefficient of air resistance and stability at high speeds.

Thanks to this, the car, despite the weight of 1,700 kg and the modest performance of the three-liter eight-cylinder engine by today’s standards, was able to accelerate up to 145 km/h. It’s no secret that the car has not escaped the attention of other car designers – including a certain Ferdinand Porsche. After some time, he stated that he sometimes looked over Ledwink’s shoulder and at other times Ledwink looked at him.

The case ended up in court, which ultimately found the Czechoslovaks in the right and the Germans had to pay a hefty compensation. However, unlike Porsche’s people’s car called the Beetle, the T77 was a luxury hand-built car.

Our particular car is the ninth completed in the order. The first owner was Count Jaromír Egon Černín, a Czech nobleman from the Černín-Morzin family. As is customary with interwar cars, much of the history remains unknown. However, the car was supposed to be in service after the war until the mid-1970s and then ended up parked in a barn somewhere in Slovakia.

In 2005, it was discovered by an enthusiast from Germany, who even exhibited the car at the Essen Motor Show. The last owner reportedly bought the car in 2007, after which it was not until 2012 that the car was transported to the United States for extensive restoration.

However, Andy Simo, an American with Slovak roots, died in 2017, and the car is currently being looked after by his family, who have completed the renovation. For those interested, there is a website (www.Million-Dollar-Tatra.com) dedicated to his memory, which offers a breathtaking view of photos of the car before and during the restoration.

The chassis was surprisingly rust-free, but the interior wood trim, for example, had rotted over the years, so new ones had to be custom made, as did the ivory buttons and controls. The interior has been redone to like-new condition, including gray seat upholstery and a walnut veneer-lined dashboard.

The mechanical renovation includes an overhaul of the engine including completely new pistons, connecting rods and valves, a brand new carburetor had to be ordered directly from the Czech Republic. The brake system and the car’s electronics were also renovated.

The ten-year renovation was completed in 2022, so unfortunately the owner of the car did not live to see it. The work was carried out by the specialized company Auto Restoration from Oak Lawn, Illinois, and cost more than 1 million dollars (approx. 22,000,000 CZK). The car goes up for auction on March 4 in Amelia Island, Florida, but the auction house has yet to give a price estimate. But we have no doubt that considering the condition of the car, the extent of the renovations carried out, the historical value and the uniqueness (it is one of only five surviving pieces) it will be astronomical!