Tatra T600 Tatraplan- 1950

After World War II, Tatra found itself stranded behind the Iron Curtain. Hans Ledwinka was accused of collaborating with the Nazis and was imprisoned from 1945-51. The T600 was introduced at the 1947 Prague Auto Salon. After World War II, Tatra’s chief designer was Julius Mackerly. He used many elements of the T87 to design the T600. You will notice that the T600 is a slightly smaller, more economical T87. The engine is a flat 4 cylinder, air-cooled engine instead of the T87’s v8. While the T87 can maintain a higher top speed, the T600 is easier to drive because of its lighter weight. From 1947-51, more than half of the Tatraplans produced were exported to countries all over the world. In 1951, production moved to Skoda where all the cars built were for export. Until production ceased in 1952, no luxury cars were produced in Czechoslovakia.