The Tatra name has undoubtedly become a byword for heavy trucks equipped with loading platforms, tipping devices or cranes, which carry out heavy-duty work on construction sites. However, anyone who carefully follows the flow of traffic on our roads will have observed that a considerable number of passenger cars also bears the "Tatra" trademark. Below is something about the car, which has the type designation T 603.
ENGINE AND CHASSIS
The engine of the 603 is an eight-cylinder, four-stroke engine with both rows of cylinders arranged in a V-shape. With a piston stroke of 72 min and a cylinder bore of 75 mm, the engine has a total cubic capacity of 2545 ccm. With a compression ratio of 6.5:1, the engine produces a maximum power of 95 hp at 4800 rpm. The carburettor system consists of two downdraft double carburettors of the Jikov type, which result in fuel consumption that is quite favourable for this size engine - standard consumption of 12 to 14 1/100 km. One of the special features of this Tatra engine is its arrangement in the rear. Power is transmitted to the rear wheels. Another special feature is undoubtedly the air cooling, which is still relatively rare in engines of this power. It is forced cooling, which is carried out by two suction fans with thermostatic control. The engine is practically independent of the outside temperature and has already shown its high performance for years in tropical latitudes as well as in polar climates. The power of the engine is transmitted to a fully synchronized gearbox via a single-plate dry clutch. This transmission is optionally available with two different transmission ratios for normal or mountain driving. As is common in most passenger cars today, the gear changes are shifted via a shifter on the steering column.
The running gear is formed by the platform frame (chassis) that is customary in a self-supporting design, such as that of the Tatra 603, onto which the four wheels are individually suspended. While there are two independently sprung pendulum semi-axles at the front, the rear wheels are connected to two crank arms that are also independently sprung. Coil springs with oil-pressure telescopic shock absorbers serve as spring elements.
The four wheels have special tires (6.70-15), which allow speeds of up to 170 km/h. Corresponding to the car's top speed of 160 km/h, it is equipped with very effective hydraulic four-wheel brakes, which have a total braking surface of 1266 cm2.
BODY
The body has a streamlined pontoon shape, which is particularly characterized by the sloping car deck at the rear. The interior is accessible through four doors and offers comfortable space for six people on two benches. The streamlined rear of the car as well as the engine located at this point give rise to the assumption that the interior offers only limited space. This is not the case, however, since the greatest possible width was used in the construction of this car. The interior is more noise-protected than in conventional motor vehicles due to the rear engine. The ease of use of the Tatra 603 corresponds to the levels expected in modern automobile construction. The steering wheel has the safety required today thanks to the recessed hub. The rather compact casing of the steering column accommodates the switch lever for the gear shift on the right-hand side, while the turn signal lever can be found on the left-hand side. The signal horn is activated by a full-circumference horn ring. The instrumentation is uncluttered, with a particular highlight being the speedometer, which rises in a semicircle above the upper edge of the instrument panel and is therefore fully in the driver's field of vision. The view is very good in all directions, despite the rear of the car sloping downwards, since the Tatra has generous glazing with a panoramic windscreen. A special feature is undoubtedly the space under the front hood. As it only contains the fuel tank and battery, it offers excellent space for extensive luggage. A spare wheel does not interfere in any way, as it is located under the trunk and can be reached via a special cover flap.
DRIVING CHARACTERISTICS
In general, it is believed that rear-engined vehicles, especially if they belong to the larger class, have an unfavourable weight distribution. The consequence of this should be unfavourable cornering behaviour at high speeds. However, the Tatra 603 provides proof that these generally applicable rules can be broken. Spectators who have already seen him on slalom courses at rally events will attest to that. This car has a weight distribution where, under full load, 47 percent of the weight goes to the front axle and 53 percent to the rear axle. This is achieved by the very light engine, which weighs 173 kg due to air cooling. So the Tatra 603 is a somewhat idiosyncratic vehicle in terms of construction and design, but one that meets the most sophisticated demands in terms of its driving performance and interior fittings.
Original copy of the magazine:
https://gdrfahrzeuge.blogspot.com/2023/07/1961-illustrierter-motorsport-gdr-year.html
It's interesting to note that this article dismisses the perceived suspicion of rear eng heaviness and instability and points to the Tatra T603's excellent performance in cross country trials as evidence.