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Tatra 77

  • Tatra 77
  • Tatra 77a
Tatra T 77a.jpg
Overview
Manufacturer TATRA, a. s.
Production
  • 1934-1935 Tatra 77
  • 1935-1938 Tatra 77A
  • 249 produced
    (+ 4 pre-serial in 1933)
Assembly Kopřivnice, Moravia, Czechoslovakia
Designer
Body and chassis
Class 4-door sedan
Executive luxury vehicle
Body style limousine (Finned Fastback)
Layout RR layout
Powertrain
Engine
  • 3.0L Tatra 77 V8 (T77)
  • 3.4L Tatra 77a V8 (T77a)
Transmission 4-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase 3,150 mm (124.0 in)
Length
  • 5,000–5,200 mm (196.9–204.7 in) (T77)
  • 5,300–5,400 mm (208.7–212.6 in) (T77a)
Width
  • 1,650 mm (65.0 in) (T77)
  • 1,660 mm (65.4 in) (T77a)
Height
  • 1,420–1,500 mm (55.9–59.1 in) (T77)
  • 1,600 mm (63.0 in) (T77a)
Curb weight
  • 1,700 kg (3,700 lb) (T77)
  • 1,800 kg (4,000 lb) (T77a)
Chronology
Predecessor Tatra V570
Successor Tatra 87

The Czechoslovakian Tatra 77 (T77) is the first serial-produced, truly aerodynamically-designed automobile. It was developed by Hans Ledwinka and Paul Jaray, the Zeppelin aerodynamic engineer. Launched in 1934, the Tatra 77 is a coach-built automobile constructed on a central tube-steel chassis and is powered by a 75 horsepower (56 kW) rear-mounted 3.4-litre air-cooled V8 engine. It possessed advanced engineering applications such as overhead valves, hemispherical combustion chambers, a dry sump, fully independent suspension, rear swing axles and extensive use of lightweight magnesium-alloy for the engine, transmission, suspension and body. The average drag coefficient of a 1:5 model of Tatra 77 was recorded as 0.2455. The later model T77a has a top speed of over 150 km/h (93 mph) due to its advanced aerodynamic design which delivers an exceptionally low drag coefficient of 0.212, although some sources claim that this is the coefficient of a 1:5 scale model, not of the car itself.

The Tatra Company began manufacturing cars in 1897 in Kopřivnice, Moravia, today's Czech republic, making it the third oldest still existing automobile manufacturer in the world. Under the direction of Hans Ledwinka, the company employed many genius minds of automotive history, including Erich Übelacker and consultant Paul Jaray, who all designed the Tatra 77.

Paul Jaray first worked at Luftschiffbau Zeppelin (LZ) where he gained experience in the aerodynamic design of airships. He used his access to LZ's wind tunnels and subsequently established streamlining principles for car design. In 1927 he founded a company specializing in developing streamlined car bodies and selling issuing licences to major vehicle manufacturers. Tatra was the only manufacturer to incorporate Jaray's streamlining principles into their series car production, starting with the Tatra 77.

Before designing the large, luxurious T77, Jaray designed an aerodynamic body for the Tatra 57, a mid-range model. This prototype was not further developed and failed to reach production. Instead, Jaray constructed two prototypes for a concept designated as the Tatra V570, which more closely conformed to his aerodynamic streamlining principles, featuring a beetle-shaped body.


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Wikipedia

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