Tatra 57
title: "Tatra 57" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["1940s-cars", "automobiles-with-backbone-chassis", "cars-powered-by-boxer-engines", "cars-introduced-in-1936", "coupés", "rear-wheel-drive-vehicles", "tatra-vehicles", "cars-introduced-in-1932", "cars-discontinued-in-1949"] topic_path: "sports" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tatra_57" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::data[format=table title="Infobox automobile"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| layout | FR layout |
| body_style | two-door sedan, convertible or coupé |
| engine | {{ubl |
| length | 3500 mm |
| width | 1500 mm |
| height | 1500 mm |
| weight | 730 kg |
| predecessor | Tatra 12 |
| related | Austro-Tatra 57 L |
| :: |
| 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 = {{ubl | T 57/A: 1,155 cc H4 | T 57B: 1,256 cc H4 | wheelbase = | length = 3500 mm | width = 1500 mm | height = 1500 mm | weight = 730 kg | designer = | predecessor = Tatra 12 | successor = | related = Austro-Tatra 57 L The Tatra 57 are a series of two-door compact cars, built by Czechoslovak 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.
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 18 PS. Its fuel consumption is between eight and 10 litres per 100 km. Bodies offered included a four-seat saloon, four-seat convertible and two-seat convertible. All were two-door.
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 20 PS. The body was restyled, and given a radiator grille similar to that of the larger Tatra 75. A commercial van version was offered.
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 25 PS.
File:Tatra 57 B.jpg|Tatra 57B File:Cassovia Retro 2019 06.jpg|Tatra 57B rear File:Motorový prostor vozu Tatra 57 B pohled.jpg|Tatra 57B flat four engine File:Sodomkovo Mýto 2011 - 92.JPG|Tatra 57B interior
Tatra 57K
|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 = 1256 cc air-cooled flat-four (petrol) |wheelbase = 2550 mm |length = 3980 mm |width = 1550 mm |height = 1690 mm |weight = 870 kg |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. It was constructed on the Germans' specifications, with increased ground clearance and a 1,256 cc engine, detuned to 23 PS.
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
References
- (21 November 2010). "Documentace Tatra". Klub Vojenského Muzea.
- "Tatra 57K".
- Erdmann, Holger. (15 August 2018). "Tatra T 57 K".
- "Tatra 57K". Klub Vojenského Muzea.
::callout[type=info title="Wikipedia Source"] This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page. ::