The world's first "modern" car: The Tatra 77 / 77a

Looking at the above picture, for those that do not know, what year do you believe this vehicle started production? Possibly late 1940’s? Early 1950’s? Try 1934. The brainchild of 3 extraordinary gentlemen, Hans Ledwinka, Erich Ubelacker and Paul Jaray (the main aerodynamic engineer of the famous Zeppelin airship), this is the first ever serially produced aerodynamically designed car.

Paul Jaray’s access to Zeppelin’s wind tunnels helped him establish the first ever streamlining principles for automobiles. In 1927 he sold issuing licenses to major vehicle manufacturing for streamlined automobiles, although Tatra was surprisingly the only company to incorporate his design principles in a serially produced automobile at the time. Most manufacturers aims back then was just simply passenger comfort and ease of access, aerodynamics was just for the world of Aviation and Motorsport back in the 1930’s.

The results were outstanding. The T77 was powered by a rear-mounted 3.0 litre air-cooled V8 engine. It easily reached insane speeds for the time of 90 miles an hour (145 km/h), with excellent handling and outstanding comfort for all 6 passengers onboard.

The T77 is unlike any other pre-war automobile bar the equally amazing Bugatti Type 57. Its three-piece windshield slopes at 45 degrees, its fenders, headlamps, door hinges and handles are all integrated into the body and it has a flat underbody, aiding aerodynamics even further. Its large tailfin decreases the effects of side winds and increases the car’s handling thereby contributing to the automobile’s futuristic image. It was coach built on a central steel square tube frame and initially launched with a 60 hp 3.0 litre engine. In 1935, the engine was enlarged and the automobile was renamed the T77a.

The T77a was powered by a 75 hp, rear mounted 3.4 litre, aircooled V8 engine. The engine has overhead valves and hemispherical combustion chambers and utilizes a ten litre dry sump. The T77a has fully independent suspension and rear swing axles. Electron (a magnesium-aluminum alloy) was used to reduce weight for the engine, parts of the transmission, suspension and some body parts. It’s long wheel base allowed passengers to ride comfortably between the axles. The T77a enjoyed an even higher top speed of 95 miles an hour (152 km/h). Another change was an addition of a central headlight to assist in driving through the load cold winters of Czechoslovakia at night.

The highlight of the vehicle is its incredibly low coefficient of aerodynamic drag of 0.212. As a modern comparsion, the “eco friendly” 2017 Toyota Prius as a drag coefficient of 0.25. Let me just remind you that this vehicle will happily sit at 90 mp/h with 6 people in it , cut through the air easier than any modern production car and all in 1934.

All in all, 255 of these magnificent automobiles were produced between 1934 and 1938.

I do hope you have enjoyed reading about what I consider to be the worlds first “Modern” automobile produced. I will try and create a bit of a mini series about “alternative” vehicles that might not be that known to the mass audiences but have made a big difference in the automotive world. Until then, drive safe and have a fantastic day.