Tatra 54
Year of Manufacture: 1935
Power: 22 hp
Displacement: 1,463 cm3
Number of Cylinders/Valves: 4/2
Weight: 1,350 kg
Condition: drivable
Catalog Number: 267
Introduction
The Tatra 54 is a mid-range passenger car manufactured between 1931 and 1934 by the Czechoslovak automaker Tatra.
Development
The Tatra 54 was an economical version of the Tatra 52. It was considered “one of the most durable and reliable cars of the Kopřivnice manufacturer.” In 1934, it was replaced by the Tatra 75 model.
Technical Specifications
The Tatra 54 was available as a four-door, four-seat sedan equipped with the T30 engine, which had a bore 5 mm larger than the predecessor with the same stroke, resulting in a displacement of 1,463 cm3. The engine was front-mounted and powered the rear wheels with a conventional drivetrain layout. The body measured 4,000 mm in length, 1,650 mm in width, and 1,700 mm in height. With a wheelbase of 2,820 mm, the track width was 1,300 mm both front and rear, and the ground clearance was 220 mm. All four solid disc wheels were 18″ in size and equipped with mechanical drum brakes; hydraulic brakes were available as an option.
The front rigid axle was suspended by transverse semi-elliptical leaf springs, as were the two rear swinging half-axles. Torque was transmitted to these half-axles via a dry four-plate clutch and a directly-shifted, non-synchronized four-speed gearbox with a reverse shaft housed within a supporting tube forming the vehicle’s central backbone. This was the so-called “Tatra concept,” designed by the chief designer Hans Ledwinka. The engine was a flat, four-stroke, air-cooled boxer four-cylinder mounted longitudinally at the front.
The Tatra 54 featured mechanical worm steering and, with a curb weight between 1,000 and 1,090 kg, could reach speeds up to 80 km/h. Fuel capacity was 45 liters with 5 liters of oil. The car was equipped with a 12 V electric starter Bosch BGC 0.6/12 l z7 or Scintilla 12 V.
Production
Four- and six-seat sedan bodies with two or four doors were offered on the market.
Sales
During four years of production, a total of 1,510 vehicles were sold.
Car in Our Collection
The car in our collection is in fully functional and drivable condition.
