Präsident

Nesselsdorfer Wagenbau-Fabriks-Gesellschaft Präsident also known as Tatra Präsident
Overview
Manufacturer	Nesselsdorfer Wagenbau-Fabriks-Gesellschaft A.G. today Tatra, A.S.
Production	1897
Assembly	Kopřivnice, Moravia
Designer	Leopold Sviták, Hans Ledwinka, Edmund Rumpler
Body and chassis
Body style	Runabout
Layout	RR layout
Powertrain
Engine	2 cylinder Benz 2750 cc; 3,68kW (5HP) at 600 rpm
Transmission	2 speeds
Dimensions
Wheelbase	1,780 mm (70.1 in)
Length	3,225 mm (127.0 in)
Width	1,472 mm (58.0 in)
Height	2,290 mm (90.2 in) (with roof on)
Curb weight	1,072 kg (2,363 lb)

The Präsident was an automobile manufactured by Nesselsdorfer Wagenbau-Fabriks-Gesellschaft A.G. (NW, now known as Tatra) in 1897. It was the first actually drivable factory made petrol-engined automobile produced in Austria-Hungary as well as in Central and Eastern Europe (save the attempt of Siegfried Marcus of Vienna to build a self-propelled car in 1875). It was constructed by Leopold Sviták and Hans Ledwinka. The automobile was more of a carriage without horses than a car in modern sense. The car is steered via handlebars (while most of the cars of the era had a clique). The wooden bodywork is placed on an iron frame. It has four seats and a convertible top that would cover only the rear seats. Both axles have suspension of semi-elliptical leaf springs. The wheels were similar to the ones of a horse carriage, but had rubber tyres. The car had a two cylinder spark ignition Benz engine placed by the rear axle.

Ignác Šustala, a skilled joiner, started to manufacture horse carriages at his own farm. In 1853 he borrowed some money and established a small manufacturing business. Initially the horse carriages were made there, but soon it started manufacturing also rail wagons. Shortly before his death Ignác Šustala established a joint stock company Nesselsdorfer Wagenfabrik.

The company's director Hugo Fischer bought from Karl Benz one Benz Phaeton automobile as well as a latest Benz engine; this was instigated by of Liberec, whose 2,500 km (1,600 mi) drive of 1894 around Europe without any major difficulties brought fame to the Benz Viktoria and Benz's gratitude. The Phaeton was used as a model for construction of the factory's first car in 1897, however it isn't the Phaeton's copy, whole new conception was applied. Leopold Sviták, the factory's foreman, was head of the construction works. The automobile was named the Präsident; the construction was finished in May 1898.

The car had a two cylinder four stroke spark ignition Benz engine. It had two speed transmission which was propelling the rear axle via flat strap.

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Wikipedia