1938 Tatra Type 87

The Tatra Type 87 1938 is a renowned vintage vehicle that boasts technical features worthy of mention. It was made by Tatra (Koprivnice, Czechoslovakia) between 1936 and 1950. Tatra was known for its elegant and aerodynamic car designs, and the Type 87 is one of its flagship models that showcases these traits.

The Type 87 features a unique air-cooled V8 engine that delivers impressive power for its time. The engine is mounted at the rear, a configuration that was uncommon at the time. The V8 has a displacement of 2,968 cc, with a compression ratio of 6.0:1. It produces a maximum power output of 75 horsepower (56 kW) at 3,500 rpm, which is pretty impressive for a 1930s car. The power is transmitted to the rear wheels via a 4-speed manual transmission that is situated in front of the engine. The car could attain a top speed of 100 km/h (62 mph).

The Type 87 has a unique backbone chassis that is made of three main longitudinal tubes that are interconnected. The design minimized the number of welding points, which simplified production and reduced weight. The front suspension consists of independent swing axles with torsion bars while the rear suspension features swing axles with transverse torsion bars. The four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes are responsible for bringing the car to a stop.

The Type 87 body design is another outstanding feature of the car. The streamlined design was ahead of its time and imparts the vehicle with an elegant and sporty look. The body is a two-door saloon, with four seats covered in brown leather. The car body has a drag coefficient of only 0.36 Cd, which was impressive considering the relatively less sophisticated aerodynamic technology of the era.

The car dimensions are impressive with a length of 4,765 mm, a width of 1,755 mm, and a height of 1,600 mm. The car has a wheelbase of 2,780 mm, with a ground clearance of 160 mm. The car curb weight is 1,400 kg, which is relatively light considering the size of the car.

In conclusion, the Tatra Type 87 1938 is a unique and technically advanced vintage vehicle. The air-cooled V8 engine, backbone chassis, streamlined body design, and other impressive technical features make it a classic car that still evinces admiration almost a century later. It is regarded as a masterpiece of automotive design, ahead of its time and a precursor of current car design trends.