Ed Luddy Posted September 9, 2015 Share Posted September 9, 2015 Seen this for sale on kijiji today in my hometown, Wow! there is some odd cars coming up for sale around here. Also was a Cord Beverly sedan for $4200, parts car http://www.kijiji.ca/v-classic-cars/city-of-toronto/tatra-603/1101258003?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true " Very rare Tatra 603. Particular by the whole concept, including the rear mounted aircooled 6 cylinder engine. The body of this car is completely solid, so free from serious rust. The red cloth interior is still totally original. The engine runs well' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fleek Posted September 9, 2015 Share Posted September 9, 2015 This article may help. http://classiccartrust.com/2014/08/europes-unknown-innovator-interview-tatra-expert/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty_OToole Posted September 10, 2015 Share Posted September 10, 2015 (edited) They were an Eastern European luxury car. Not very many were built, but they are still seen in Eastern Europe. The example for sale above, seems to be in excellent condition. If you want one, you probably won't get another chance to get a good one so cheap. And one in poor condition or needing parts, would be a nightmare to restore on this side of the water. I think they are very cool but I am a fan of the unusual, especially the rear engine cars like Tucker, Porsche, Corvair and VW. A Tatra would be the centerpiece of a rear engine car collection unless you were lucky enough to get a Tucker. See the Tatra 603 in action in this vintage promotional film Now that's motoring! Edited September 10, 2015 by Rusty_OToole (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capngrog Posted September 10, 2015 Share Posted September 10, 2015 From the photos in this thread, the Tatra is Edsel ugly, in my opinion; however, with an air-cooled rear engine, it is certainly an interesting car. Ugly or not, it's cool, and I'd like to have one. As Rusty said, obtaining parts for it could be a nightmare. An interesting car, thanks for posting. Cheers,Grog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocketraider Posted September 10, 2015 Share Posted September 10, 2015 Not sure if any trick photography was used but if not, that thing will haul ass! Not a terrible-handling car for its size either, especially with its rear weight bias. Great tune too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_S_in_Penna Posted September 10, 2015 Share Posted September 10, 2015 (edited) There is probably a Tatra club, or at least aninformal affiliation of a few owners, somewherein the United States. Almost certainly therewould be one in Europe. That would help a new owner with parts and information. There's seemingly a club for everything in this wide hobby of ours! Edited September 10, 2015 by John_S_in_Penna (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
28 Chrysler Posted September 10, 2015 Share Posted September 10, 2015 There is one here in Vegas, rear 6 cylinder air cooled hemi, about an 8 gallon fuel tank. I think he said it gets about 12 MPG. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hanski Posted September 10, 2015 Share Posted September 10, 2015 You'd better check the engine again as it should be a V8 instead of 6..these are nice cars. A friend of mine restored one. Some parts can be difficult to get but in general parts are quite easy to find in Czech republic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AC Fuhrman Posted September 10, 2015 Share Posted September 10, 2015 There has also been one advertised in Hemmings for several months now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
padgett Posted September 10, 2015 Share Posted September 10, 2015 "Not a terrible-handling car" I've heard handling can be very interesting particularly if you enjoy adrenaline rushes. Video reminds me of how to cure a tailgater with a Fiero. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty_OToole Posted September 10, 2015 Share Posted September 10, 2015 (edited) Was that a very young Vladimir Putin behind the wheel? A rear engine car with IRS has fantastic traction in the worst conditions. Sealed engine compartment allows driving thru deep water without killing the engine. But the part I don't believe is where they roll the car down the hill and it doesn't so much as scratch the paint. No telling how many cars they wrecked making the film. Professional stunt driver. You would not get away with hanging the tail out like that unless you were an expert. Take it from an old Corvair pilot lol. Edited September 10, 2015 by Rusty_OToole (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Electricben Posted November 11, 2015 Share Posted November 11, 2015 Hanski you are quite right what other are missing totally.This Tatra was only available with an aircooled V8 engine, just like the elder Tatra models. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
padgett Posted November 11, 2015 Share Posted November 11, 2015 "A rear engine car with IRS has fantastic traction in the worst conditions" a ) until it doesn't which can be sudden. b ) for the rear wheels ps a Honda S2000 has IRS and 50-50 weight distribution. So does my Jeep. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8E45E Posted November 12, 2015 Share Posted November 12, 2015 Hanski you are quite right what other are missing totally.This Tatra was only available with an aircooled V8 engine, just like the elder Tatra models.There was also the Tratraplan, which was a four cylinder. Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest AlCapone Posted November 12, 2015 Share Posted November 12, 2015 Very, very ugly in my opinion. Nice thing about it is that it makes your other cars in the driveway look fantastic no matter what they are, Ugh! Wayne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dictator27 Posted November 12, 2015 Share Posted November 12, 2015 Very, very ugly in my opinion. Nice thing about it is that it makes your other cars in the driveway look fantastic no matter what they are, Ugh! Wayne Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, Wayne. I agree with Rusty, these are an awesome automobile. There is one here as well as two of the four cylinder Tatraplans. I've seen the 603 in action and its performance is surprising, considering it is a heavy car and the V8 is only 2.5 litres. I think there is a perception amongst people in the western world that anything built behind the iron curtain was poorly designed and constructed (think Trabant!). It is true that Tatras were hand built by political prisoners, but they were for members of the communist elite and because of that the attention to detail and quality of construction was excellent. Likewise the engineering. The only complaint I've heard was that the column mounted four speed shift lever is rather vague because of the length of the linkage to the rear of the car. Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plymouthcranbrook Posted November 12, 2015 Share Posted November 12, 2015 Am I correct in remembering that they first came out in the 1930's? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest AlCapone Posted November 12, 2015 Share Posted November 12, 2015 Very, very ugly in my opinion. Nice thing about it is that it makes your other cars in the driveway look fantastic no matter what they are, Ugh! Wayne Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, Wayne. I agree with Rusty, these are an awesome automobile. There is one here as well as two of the four cylinder Tatraplans. I've seen the 603 in action and its performance is surprising, considering it is a heavy car and the V8 is only 2.5 litres. I think there is a perception amongst people in the western world that anything built behind the iron curtain was poorly designed and constructed (think Trabant!). It is true that Tatras were hand built by political prisoners, but they were for members of the communist elite and because of that the attention to detail and quality of construction was excellent. Likewise the engineering. The only complaint I've heard was that the column mounted four speed shift lever is rather vague because of the length of the linkage to the rear of the car. Terry[/quoTerry I agree with the eyes of the beholder suggestion. Sometimes strikingly different promotes lack of appreciation. I will bow to your superior knowledge and apologize if I have offended anyone.Wayne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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