Tatra V570
Encyclopedia
Tatra V570 was a prototype early 1930s car developed by a team led by Hans Ledwinka
and Paul Jaray
. The aim of the construction team was to develop cheap people's car with an aerodynamic body. However the company's management decided that the revolutionary ideas introduced in the prototype should be introduced in class of large luxurious cars, and therefore the team abandoned the project of small cars in favour of Tatra T77
, world's first serially produced aerodynamic car. The project of small car was later continued and led to introduction of Tatra T97
. The second V570 was built in 1933, two years before the first Volkswagen
which bears a strong resemblance to the Tatra - it was misappropriated by Hitler and Dr. Porsche in circumstances about which the German company remains intensely sensitive to this day.
would bring with it several big advantages - i.e. reducing the efficiency loss, noise and vibration of the propeller shaft of the FR layout. No propeller shaft meant there would be a flat floor with no need for central floor tunnel so that the passengers seating position would be lower and well forward of the rear axle, which would lead to a lower centre of gravity, more favourable inter-axle weight distribution, and lower overall height. Mounting the engine in the rear would mean shortening the front part of the body to make a longer tail possible, which was consistent with the laws of aerodynamics. Also, engine noise would not disturb the passengers and would not be heard when driving at a speed of over 50 km/h. Air-cooling would be simpler and more effective at coping with the extremes of temperatures during depths the winter and height of summer, than water cooling systems of the time, due to the climate in Central-Europe. As the company was considering to start manufacturing aeroplanes, it got experience with laws of aerodynamics and decided to apply them for the prospective car.
car. However at the time Überlacker's proposal was strongly criticised by Ledwinka. When he was facing the prospect of leaving the company, he finally presented the project with aerodynamic car body with a teardrop rear, which would be used to accommodate the whole drive-line of the car. Paul Jaray, the noted Zeppelin
designer, produced a prototype aerodynamic body for the Tatra 57. Überlacker was a mercurial young engineer with great imagination and a lot of enthusiasm - however he lacked the perseverance needed to bring his ideas to perfection, and that is when Ledwinka stepped in to finish the work, which might otherwise have come to nothing. The new design was initially tried under a body, which was not aerodynamic (the first V570 prototype). Two pieces of the first V570 were made in 1931.
The positioning of the engine at the rear and its cooling became a difficult task, which is demonstrated also by the large number of patents considering the airflow to the rear engine compartment which Tatra registered at the time. The initial prototype had an engine derived from Tatra 57
two-seater.
The final design had four seats. The engine was a two-cylinder air-cooled boxer 854 cc with power of 18 HP at 3500 RPM. The engine, gear-box and half-axles were all in one unit. The simple two door body had a timber frame. Although it was made only to test different design ideas, it had good handling. It could easily reach speeds of 80 km/h.
The responsibility for final construction was given to Hans Ledwinka's son Erich.
Serial production was considered, however the Tatra 57
's outstanding commercial success precluded it, the principles of V570 were later used in Tatra T77
and Tatra T97
designs.
The car was later sold and its owner used it daily for 30 years, before it was handed back to Tatra factory museum.
Hans Ledwinka
Hans Ledwinka was an Austrian automobile designer.- Youth :Ledwinka was born was born in Klosterneuburg , near Vienna, then part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire....
and Paul Jaray
Paul Jaray
Paul Jaray , 11 March 1889 Vienna–22 September 1974 St. Gallen, was an engineer and a pioneer of automotive streamlining.-Life:Jaray, of Hungarian-Jewish descent, was born in Vienna...
. The aim of the construction team was to develop cheap people's car with an aerodynamic body. However the company's management decided that the revolutionary ideas introduced in the prototype should be introduced in class of large luxurious cars, and therefore the team abandoned the project of small cars in favour of Tatra T77
Tatra T77
The Czechoslovakian Tatra 77 is the first serial-produced truly aerodynamically designed automobile. It was developed by Hans Ledwinka and Paul Jaray, the noted Zeppelin aerodynamic engineer. Launched in 1934, the Tatra 77 is a coach-built automobile constructed on a central tube-steel chassis and...
, world's first serially produced aerodynamic car. The project of small car was later continued and led to introduction of Tatra T97
Tatra T97
The Type 97 is a mid-class saloon car from Czechoslovak car-maker Tatra. It was produced for a short time in the pre-war period, from 1936 to 1939.- History :...
. The second V570 was built in 1933, two years before the first Volkswagen
Volkswagen Beetle
The Volkswagen Type 1, widely known as the Volkswagen Beetle or Volkswagen Bug, is an economy car produced by the German auto maker Volkswagen from 1938 until 2003...
which bears a strong resemblance to the Tatra - it was misappropriated by Hitler and Dr. Porsche in circumstances about which the German company remains intensely sensitive to this day.
History
In the early 1930s Tatra engineers, under the direction of Hans Ledwinka's son Erich and design engineer Erich Übelacker, started work on the development of a small people's car with a rear-mounted engine in a backbone frame. Ledwinka believed that rear-mounted engine RR layoutRR layout
In automotive design, a RR, or Rear-engine, Rear-wheel drive layout places both the engine and drive wheels at the rear of the vehicle. In contrast to the RMR layout, the center of mass of the engine is between the rear axle and the rear bumper....
would bring with it several big advantages - i.e. reducing the efficiency loss, noise and vibration of the propeller shaft of the FR layout. No propeller shaft meant there would be a flat floor with no need for central floor tunnel so that the passengers seating position would be lower and well forward of the rear axle, which would lead to a lower centre of gravity, more favourable inter-axle weight distribution, and lower overall height. Mounting the engine in the rear would mean shortening the front part of the body to make a longer tail possible, which was consistent with the laws of aerodynamics. Also, engine noise would not disturb the passengers and would not be heard when driving at a speed of over 50 km/h. Air-cooling would be simpler and more effective at coping with the extremes of temperatures during depths the winter and height of summer, than water cooling systems of the time, due to the climate in Central-Europe. As the company was considering to start manufacturing aeroplanes, it got experience with laws of aerodynamics and decided to apply them for the prospective car.
First prototype
The initial proposal of the concept was presented by Tatra designer Erich Überlacker, who previously worked on the Tatra 57Tatra 57
Tatra 57 is an automobile launched by Tatra company Tatra 57 is an automobile launched by Tatra company Tatra 57 is an automobile launched by Tatra company (in Czech: Závody Tatra, official name: Závody Tatra akciová společnost or Ringhoffer - Tatra company, also later known as Tatra Kopřivnice, in...
car. However at the time Überlacker's proposal was strongly criticised by Ledwinka. When he was facing the prospect of leaving the company, he finally presented the project with aerodynamic car body with a teardrop rear, which would be used to accommodate the whole drive-line of the car. Paul Jaray, the noted Zeppelin
Luftschiffbau Zeppelin
Luftschiffbau Zeppelin GmbH is a German company which, during the early 20th century, was a leader in the design and manufacture of rigid airships, specifically of the Zeppelin type. The company was founded by Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin...
designer, produced a prototype aerodynamic body for the Tatra 57. Überlacker was a mercurial young engineer with great imagination and a lot of enthusiasm - however he lacked the perseverance needed to bring his ideas to perfection, and that is when Ledwinka stepped in to finish the work, which might otherwise have come to nothing. The new design was initially tried under a body, which was not aerodynamic (the first V570 prototype). Two pieces of the first V570 were made in 1931.
Second prototype
The work on the second prototype's aerodynamic body started. The second prototype used patents of the streamlining principles of Paul Jaray. It was very similar to the first prototype, but this time it was equipped with aerodynamic body. The lower part was supposed to follow the lines of aeroplane wing, while the upper part was supposed to be added on top of it. The rear mudguards were incorporated into the body and the rear wheels were covered. The remnants of front mudguards became also part of the front bonnet. The running boards were abandoned and accessories (i.e. door handles) were recessed into the body. The floor was flat and enclosed. The front window was inclined at a 45° angle.The positioning of the engine at the rear and its cooling became a difficult task, which is demonstrated also by the large number of patents considering the airflow to the rear engine compartment which Tatra registered at the time. The initial prototype had an engine derived from Tatra 57
Tatra 57
Tatra 57 is an automobile launched by Tatra company Tatra 57 is an automobile launched by Tatra company Tatra 57 is an automobile launched by Tatra company (in Czech: Závody Tatra, official name: Závody Tatra akciová společnost or Ringhoffer - Tatra company, also later known as Tatra Kopřivnice, in...
two-seater.
The final design had four seats. The engine was a two-cylinder air-cooled boxer 854 cc with power of 18 HP at 3500 RPM. The engine, gear-box and half-axles were all in one unit. The simple two door body had a timber frame. Although it was made only to test different design ideas, it had good handling. It could easily reach speeds of 80 km/h.
The responsibility for final construction was given to Hans Ledwinka's son Erich.
Serial production was considered, however the Tatra 57
Tatra 57
Tatra 57 is an automobile launched by Tatra company Tatra 57 is an automobile launched by Tatra company Tatra 57 is an automobile launched by Tatra company (in Czech: Závody Tatra, official name: Závody Tatra akciová společnost or Ringhoffer - Tatra company, also later known as Tatra Kopřivnice, in...
's outstanding commercial success precluded it, the principles of V570 were later used in Tatra T77
Tatra T77
The Czechoslovakian Tatra 77 is the first serial-produced truly aerodynamically designed automobile. It was developed by Hans Ledwinka and Paul Jaray, the noted Zeppelin aerodynamic engineer. Launched in 1934, the Tatra 77 is a coach-built automobile constructed on a central tube-steel chassis and...
and Tatra T97
Tatra T97
The Type 97 is a mid-class saloon car from Czechoslovak car-maker Tatra. It was produced for a short time in the pre-war period, from 1936 to 1939.- History :...
designs.
The car was later sold and its owner used it daily for 30 years, before it was handed back to Tatra factory museum.