Tatra T87 featured in vehicular history - navigating roads alongside electrical power lines.
If you think about vintage pre-war vehicles, you often envision weak, nose-like structures. Cars that barely move. But then you haven't encountered the Tatra T87 yet. NTV.de decided to take it for a spin.
There it stands, in its dark black color, the Tatra T87. It made its debut as far back as 1937, so it's quite a departure from modern-day automotive manufacturing, or so one might think. To speak of those vehicles mentioned earlier: The company responsible for building them was the Nesselsdorfer Wagenbau-Fabriks-Gesellschaft, established in the then German-speaking Moravia-Silesia border region, now known as Kopřivnice.
Following significant changes in the world and the region in 1918, the old company, which had been producing passenger and commercial vehicles since the end of the 1910s, merged with the Prague Ringhoffer AG. This union gave birth to the name Tatra (Ringhoffer-Tatra AG).
But perhaps even more intriguing is the involvement of Austrian engineer Hans Ledwinka with Tatra at the time. Known for his friendship with Ferdinand Porsche, it's said that Porsche may have borrowed some concepts from Ledwinka, including air-cooled engines with a flat, boxer design in the rear, similar to the Beetle. The blueprint? The KdF-Wagen.
Returning to the topic at hand, the Tatra T87. Standing before this streamlined vehicle, one is somehow taken aback, thinking, "It's hardly possible this car could have been driven in the 1930s." But it was. A serial model with over 3000 units produced. However, the 87er looks a bit eerie with its unusual rear end fin. Engineer Erich Übelacker designed the Tatra with aerodynamics in mind, achieving 160 km/h with its narrow engine power.
The Tatra T87 seems almost youthful
Almost more compelling, though, is the interior. If it weren't for the somewhat ornate font on the dials of the elegant instruments, one might mistake this large touring car for a 25-year-older model. But observation is one thing, and NTV.de actually put the Tatra T87 to the test. It's always good when big car museums like the PS.Speicher in Einbeck keep selected exhibits in driving condition and use them for such productions. This allows the Tatra to be described not only in terms of style but also performance.
Speaking of performance, that's a fitting keyword. In the rear of the 4.74-meter-long futuristic vehicle from that era, a 3-liter eight-cylinder engine with - surprise - air cooling and a lightweight aluminum cylinder head revs to life after pressing the white start button. The exact torque this power source, equipped with hanging valves and rocker arms, can generate is unclear, but the maximum power of 75 PS (late models boasted 95 PS) is achieved under 4000 RPM, suggesting some control. So, let's roll. this 1.4-tonner is surprisingly easy to handle for modern drivers, although accustomed to classic vehicles. The manual four-speed gearbox is relatively simple to operate. Some finesse is required, however.
But once the oil is warmed up, the gears engage smoothly. And the eight-cylinder delivers a solid push from below. While one may not be traveling at breakneck speeds, the Tatra would have been a technical marvel for its time. And even its cornering dynamics are impressive, far surpassing what was expected from pre-war vehicles. Most cars of that era demanded full concentration even at speeds of 80 km/h, but not this one. This relic with a rear swing axle dances gracefully over the quiet lanes around Einbeck. Of course, there is some steering play in the middle position.
But the best way to experience it is to ride in the rear. It's shocking how much room the Tatra provides for rear passengers. How did they manage this packaging back then, a topic we frequently discuss nowadays? There were no safety considerations to take into account, and no need for space for technical assistants. Plus, the transmission tunnel is eliminated due to the rear engine, and the wheelbase is a generous 2.85 meters, providing ample room.
Tatra: A Rare Classic Today
Relaxing in the luxurious backseat, listening to the distinctive eight-cylinder engine, while the driver handles the controls - what a delightful thought. But it's also fun to grip the large steering wheel and drive the big Tatra. Just be cautious when using the brake. Give it a gentle press or else the limousine may become unstable faster than you'd like. But the journey comes to an end all too soon. It's satisfying to have safely returned the Tatra T87 to the depot.
The public can occasionally admire this rare Tatra in Einbeck, standing alongside hundreds of other exhibits at the now-famous PS.Speicher. Or perhaps you would prefer to own one? Occasionally, the T87 can be found on specialized online marketplaces. Prices for these models now reach around a quarter of a million euros. What can we learn from this? Not only Ferrari, Mercedes, or Porsche produce expensive dream cars. Sometimes, the object of desire can be a little-known technical marvel from Eastern Europe.
The Tatra T87, despite its vintage origins, showcases impressive performance capabilities, allowing modern drivers to easily handle its manual four-speed gearbox andManufactured by the Tatra company, the Tatra T87 is a testament to pre-war automotive engineering, boasting a spacious interior and impressive cornering dynamics.
