Although Tatra had been building trucks and cars since 1898, they were always a low volume producer. They never established an export market for their products in Australia, although some cars eventually made their way here as private imports. In 1935, Dr Jiri Baum and his wife travelled across Australia in a specially modified T26 Tatra Truck. The unusual vehicle drew attention from the automotive press wherever it went.
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During the Second World War Tatra had built trucks and half-tracks for the German army. The factory was partly stripped by the Soviets for war reparations, however, production of both cars and trucks was able to recommence almost immediately, albeit, in reduced numbers. Hans Ledwinka, Tatra's chief designer and managing director of Tatra's Koprivince factory until 1943, was arrested by the Czechoslovak government for colloboration and would ultimately be sentenced to six years imprisonment with hard labour. Ledwinka, a native German speaker, was one of the many Austrians orphaned by the ethnic policies of the era and, despite his contribution to Tatra and Czech industry in general was persona-non-gratia. When he was finally released from prison in 1952, he was politically black-balled and left Czechoslovakia for Austria and then Germany. The loss of Ledwinka, first to prison and then to exile, had a catastrophic effect on Tatra. All his German speaking design team left the company by 1946 creating a skills gap that would not be easily filled.
By 1946, the prewar budget T57 sedan (front engine) and T87 rear-engine streamlined limousine were being assembled from stocks of spares and newly reproduced parts. The T57 remained as popular as ever - it was Tatra's best selling car - and the T87 was highly desirable for those with deep pockets, but it was expensive to manufacture. Most were sold for export. A new, cheaper car for the export market was required. In 1948, after several failed design attempts, the company was able to begin manufacturing a brand new model - the T600 Tatraplan. The Tatraplan was conceptually based on the prewar T97, but every part of the car was new. The need for foreign currency led Czechoslovakia to vigorously promote the Tatraplan on the export market. Austria and France were major markets for these cars, but a small number were also dispatched as far away as Canada and Australia. A single Tatraplan was sent to Australia for the Melbourne Motor Show in 1951. The car created a sensation as it was so different to anything seen in Australia.
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Interest in the Tatraplan led Tatra to ship between a dozen and twenty Tatraplans to Australia in 1952. Tatraplans were sold in conjunction with Skoda cars and Jawa motorcycles through the Motokov state enterprise. Sales were very slow however as the 3500 pound price tag was very expensive and these cars were seen by many as too unconventional. Tatraplans were still being advertised for sale in 1954.
An example letter from Motokov to an enquiry about the availability of Tatraplans in Australia.
A contemporary photo taken in Perth of one of the dozen or so Tatraplans imported into Australia in 1952. The car would have been displayed at the Skoda dealership in Perth. It is believed the car was later sent east as there were no Tatras registered in WA. Photo courtesy of Paul Blank.
Tatra's impressive trucks were advertised in Australia briefly in the 1950s, but by this stage Czechoslovakia was firmly within the Communist East Bloc, which limited their appeal. Skoda cars and Jawa and CZ motorcycles were still sold here through Motokov as they were very cheap compared to conventional vehicles. By the mid-1960s even this market had dried up in Australia.
During the 1960s through to the 1990s, a small number of Tatra T603s were shipped to Australia for consular use. Eventually, after these were retired they were sold into private hands.
After the collapse of Communism at the end of the 1990s, Tatra - now exclusively a truck manufacturer - was able to broaden its market. Tatra's heavy duty trucks were well suited to Australian conditions and Off Road Trucks Pty Ltd in Western Australia obtained an exclusive license to sell Tatra trucks in Australia. They have been operating for more than 20 years, selling and servicing Tatras for mining, fire fighting and heavy transport purposes.
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