The Tatra 80 is a Czechoslovak luxury full-size car built by Tatra between 1931 and 1935. Designed by Hans Ledwinka in 1930, it was the marque’s most luxurious and expensive car, and a unique landaulet built in 1935 served as the official state car of Czechoslovak President Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk.
Tatra 80 at a glance
| Maker | Tatra, Kopřivnice, Czechoslovakia |
|---|---|
| Production | 1931–1935 |
| Designer | Hans Ledwinka |
| Engine | 5,990 cc 65-degree V12, top camshaft |
| Power | 120 hp (89 kW) |
| Top speed | 130 km/h |
| Chassis | backbone chassis with swing axles |
| Brakes | ATE-Lockheed |
| Wheels | wire wheels |
| Price | Kčs 195,000–200,000 |
| Built | 22 |
| Presidential car | 1935 landaulet, national cultural monument since 2005 |
The old record was titled “Tatra president”; it is the Tatra 80, the car of the Czechoslovak president.
History of the Tatra 80
Design and engine
Hans Ledwinka designed the Tatra 80 in 1930. It was launched in 1931, the same year as the Tatra 70, and the two models share a backbone chassis and swing-axle suspension. The brakes were by ATE-Lockheed, and the Type 80 had wire wheels where the Type 70 had disc wheels. The difference lay in the engine: the Type 70 used a 3,406 cc six-cylinder OHC unit, while the Type 80 received a 5,990 cc, 65-degree V12 with horizontal valves operated directly by a top camshaft mounted at the level of the cylinder heads. It produced 120 hp (89 kW), giving a top speed of 130 km/h.
Bodies and price
Tatra supplied the bare rolling chassis, engine and transmission, and customers chose a body style and a coachbuilding company. Four-door sedans, cabriolets and six-seat limousines were built, and there is at least one two-door four-seat convertible; Sodomka of Vysoké Mýto built bodies for several Type 80 cars. The Type 80 was Tatra’s most luxurious and expensive car, priced at Kčs 195,000 to 200,000. Only 22 were built between 1931 and 1935.
The presidential landaulet
In 1935 a unique Tatra 80 landaulet was built as the official state car of Czechoslovak President TG Masaryk. On 18 April 2005 it was presented to the National Technical Museum in Prague, and on 29 September 2005 the Czech Republic declared a set of five historic cars, including the presidential landaulet, to be a national cultural monument. The car is the best-known survivor of a model that was rare even when new.
Design and features
- V12 engine: 5,990 cc and 120 hp, with a top camshaft acting on horizontal valves.
- Luxury chassis: a backbone frame with swing axles, shared with the Tatra 70.
- Coachbuilt bodies: sedans, cabriolets, limousines and a convertible by Sodomka.
- Presidential history: the 1935 landaulet is a Czech national cultural monument.
Tatra 80 versions
- Four-door sedan: the standard closed body.
- Cabriolet: open coachbuilt body.
- Six-seat limousine: long body for official use.
- Two-door convertible: at least one four-seat example.
- Presidential landaulet: the unique 1935 state car.
The 80 shared its chassis with the six-cylinder Tatra 70 and was succeeded in the luxury role by the Tatra 87. More cars are in the Tatra collection.
Sources
- Tatra 80, English Wikipedia: design, bodies, production, presidential car
