1938 TATRA T97

REAR ENGINED STREAMLINER

1938 TATRA T97

REAR ENGINED STREAMLINER

Production Years: 1938-1939
Country: Czechoslovakia
Number Produced: 510

In 1932, Tatra designed a prototype automobile, with a rear engine, in the same league as the Volkswagen. In 1934, another car went into production: the Tatra 77.

It was a big car with a V8 rear engine. A few hundred were made before the introduction of T87, still with a V8 but of a more modern design. The wood and steel body was replaced by a unibody, the car was lighter and the engine, now made of aluminum, created a better balance of weight between the front and the rear axle.

In 1936, Tatra worked on one more project. It was a smaller car than the T87 but following exactly the same technology. Deemed the T97, manufacturing began in 1938 but when Czechoslovakia was invaded by Germany on March 15th, 1939, Hitler ceased production. The T97 was too close to the Volkswagen, which was supposed to be available in Germany the very same year.

Only 510 cars were made and today it is a very rare automobile.

(Photos by J. Michael Helmsley, Vintage Roadcar Magazine)

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Please note that the vehicles shown online are part of our collection but may not be on display when you visit. Our team is always in some stage of repair or restoration on a number of vehicles.

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Tampa Bay Automobile Museum

3301 Gateway Centre Blvd.
Pinellas Park, FL 33782 USA

Museum Hours:

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Wednesday: 10am - 4:30 pm
Thursday:     10am - 4:30 pm
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