Brasilian Tatras

T87Brazil2014

We have seen that Tatras are present in many European countries, in Africa (South Africa), Asia ( Vietnam), Australia, Northern America. Until now South America was the only continent where a Tatra classic car was unknown, but here it is!  It showed up in the Brazilan town of Araxa, a city and municipality in southwest Minas Gerais state, at a classic car show.

Araxá / MG – Collecting and restoring old vehicles is a worldwide passion – you can find this hobby enthusiasts in all countries. It is estimated that in Brazil, the antigomobilismo today has approximately 10,000 practitioners – and every year millions of people are attracted by the hundreds of meetings classical models, which occur in all states. From 18 to 22 June, the cinematic scene of Taua Grande Hotel Spa & Convention in mining Hidromineral Araxá really gained an air of “period piece.” The surroundings of the hotel was taken for more than 300 cars from different eras and countries, who came to participate in the 21st edition of the National Meeting of Old Cars. The biennial event is sponsored by Fiat and also receives the name of Brazil Classics Fiat Show. The expectation is that over 40,000 people have attended to admire the “veterans” exposed.

The site said over the T 87 all the well known fairy tales:

Tatra 87, 1947 – The Tatra was created in the city of Koprivnice, in today’s Czech Republic. Today is dedicated to the production of trucks and military vehicles – in partnership with American Navistar.One of the most significant brand car, the Tatra 87 had a rear engine V8 3.0 liter air cooled which produced 85 bhp and reached 160 km / h. The resemblance to the old Beetle is not casual. Adolf Hitler – who ordered the creation of a “volkswagen” means “people’s car” – and Ferdinand Porsche, who presented the first prototype of the German compact in 1936, were greatly influenced by the Tatra 77, launched in 1934 and which led the Tatra 87. Hitler had experienced Tatras during political tours of Czechoslovakia and had also dined several times with Hans Ledwinka Austrian designer models the Czech brand. After designing the popular vehicle envisioned by the “Führer”, talking about Ledwinka Porsche admitted “Well, sometimes I looked over his shoulder and sometimes he looked over mine”. The Tatra filed a lawsuit – interrupted in 1939 when Nazi Germany annexed Czechoslovakia. The matter was reopened after World War II and in 1961 Volkswagen paid 3 billion DM to Tatra in an out of court settlement.

Original website:http://salaodocarro.com.br/eventos/brazil-classics-fiat-show-21-edicao.html

http://caranddriverbrasil.uol.com.br/carros/classicos/classicos-de-araxa-os-melhores-do-brasil/8081#foto=8081-3

http://autoestrada.uol.com.br/noticia/1-noticias/366-araxa%3A-os-destaques

Some further googling even resulted in another Brazilian Tatra, a Tatraplan, presented at the same Araxa show two years ago!

T600Araxa2012

T600Araxa2012-2

With T 77 style debris fencing in the air scoops!

T600Araxa2012-3

With replica KdF in 2012

T87Araxa2014-3

And back to the 2014 Araxa podium with the T 87