Tatra 57

{{Infobox automobile

| name = Tatra 57

| manufacturer = Závody Tatra

| production = 1932–1949
T 57: 1932–36
T 57A: 1936–38
T 57B: 1938–49

| image = Brno, náměstí Svobody - XXI. Sraz historických vozidel Vysočina 2014 - Tatra 57 obr1.jpg

| class = compact car

| chassis = backbone chassis

| transmission =

| layout = FR layout

| body_style = two-door sedan, convertible or coupé

| engine = 1,155 cc, {{convert|18|hp|abbr=on}} flat-four

T 57A: 1,155 cc, {{convert|20|hp|abbr=on}}

T 57B: 1,256 cc, {{convert|25|hp|abbr=on}}

| wheelbase =

| length = {{convert|3500|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}{{cite web |url= http://www.klub-vm.eu/clanky/ke-stazeni/dokumentace-tatra |title=Documentace Tatra |publisher=Klub Vojenského Muzea |date=21 November 2010 }}

| width = {{convert|1500|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}

| height = {{convert|1500|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}

| weight = {{convert|730|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}}

| designer =

| predecessor = Tatra 12

| successor =

| related = Austro-Tatra 57 L

}}

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.

File:Motorový prostor vozu Tatra 57 B pohled.jpg|Tatra 57B flat four engine.

File:Tatra 57 + Tatra 11 (cropped).JPG|Tatra 57 (left) and Tatra 11 (right).

File:Sodomkovo Mýto 2011 - 92.JPG|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 {{convert|18|hp|abbr=on}}.{{sfn|Tuček|2017|p=150}} Its fuel consumption is between eight and 10 litres per 100 km.{{sfn|Tuček|2017|p=152}} Bodies offered included a four-seat saloon, four-seat convertible and two-seat convertible. All were two-door.{{sfn|Tuček|2017|p=152}}

File:Tatra 57 bila.JPG|White Tatra 57.

File:Tatra 57 14062015 (Foto Hilarmont) Klassikwelt Bodensee (6).JPG|Tatra 57 convertible.

File:Solvayovy lomy (60).jpg|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 {{convert|20|hp|abbr=on}}.{{sfn|Tuček|2017|p=276}} The body was restyled, and given a radiator grille similar to that of the larger Tatra 75.{{sfn|Tuček|2017|p=275}} A commercial van version was offered.{{sfn|Tuček|2017|p=276}}

File:Tatra 57A 1936 (10610746276).jpg|Tatra 57A

File:Tatra 57A Sport - 1936 (5661213800).jpg|Tatra 57A convertible.

File:Tatra 57A Combi - 1938 (5661214186).jpg|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 {{convert|25|hp|abbr=on}}.

File:Tatra 57 B.jpg|Tatra 57B.

File:Cassovia Retro 2019 06.jpg|Tatra 57B rear.

File:Vůz Tatra 57 B pohled ze předu.jpg|Blue Tatra 57B

=Tatra 57K=

{{Infobox automobile

|name = Tatra 57 K

|manufacturer = Závody Tatra

|production = 1941–1947

|predecessor =

|successor =

|image = Tatra 57K.jpg

|class = compact car

|chassis = backbone chassis

|transmission =4-speed manual

|layout =

|body_style = 4-door convertible

|engine = {{convert|1256|cc|cuin|0|abbr=on}}, {{convert|23|hp|abbr=on}} air-cooled flat-four petrol engine

|wheelbase = {{convert|2550|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} {{cite web |url= https://auta5p.eu/lang/en/katalog/auto.php?idf=Tatra-57-K-15429#google_vignette |title=Tatra 57K |website=Auta5p.eu|access-date=5 May 2024}}

|length = {{convert|3980|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}

|width = {{convert|1550|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}

|height = {{convert|1690|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}

|weight = {{convert|870|kg|lb|1|abbr=on}}

|designer =

}}

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.{{cite web |url=https://www.kfzderwehrmacht.de/Homepage_english/Motor_Vehicles/Czechoslovakia/Tatra/Tatra_T_57_K/tatra_t_57_k.html |title=Tatra T 57 K |website=Kfz. of the Wehrmacht |author=Erdmann, Holger |date=15 August 2018 |translator=Erdmann |translator2=Henss, Mareike |language= |ref=WehrKfz |access-date=9 August 2021 }} It was constructed on the Germans' specifications, with increased ground clearance and a 1,256 cc engine, detuned to {{convert|23|hp|abbr=on}}.{{cite web |url= http://www.klub-vm.eu/clanky/technika/technika-muzea/osobni/tatra-57k.html |title=Tatra 57K |publisher=Klub Vojenského Muzea |access-date=9 October 2010}}

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.

File:1 TATRA 57K.jpg

File:Tatra 57 K 3.jpg

File:BAHNA 2018 - 033 (cropped).jpg

References

Bibliography

{{cite book |last=Tuček |first=Jan |year=2017 |title=Auta první republiky 1918–1938 |place=Prague |publisher=Grada Publishing |isbn=978-80-271-0466-6 |pages=150–152, 275–278 |language=cs }}