In 1927 the company was renamed Tatra (Zavody Tatra to be precise, which translates to Tatra Works Ltd.). Finally the successful Tatra marque was reflected in its manufacturer's name.

Nineteen-twenty-nine saw the introduction of the T43 (very similar in looks to the T13), powered by the same motor as the T26/30 and produced in a quantity of 900 until 1931, and the 3-wheeled T49 mini-truck. The T49, propelled by a tiny front-mounted air-cooled 528cc 1-cylinder engine of 7bhp driving the single rear wheel, could carry a 400kg load and achieved a speed of 55 km/h. Only 200 of these inexpensive goods carriers were produced into 1930.

In about 1929/30 came the 6x4 T24, available with a 4 or 6 cylinder engine, and lasted until 1931. Carrying capacity, with the water-cooled 12215cc 114bhp (@ 1500rpm) 6-cylinder motor, was 10-tons. The 4-cylinder engine was the same as in the T23 and the 1934-35 T29.

a T24/67

The T27, with newly developed hydraulic brakes, arrived in 1930. It had a 3-ton load capacity and utilized a 83bhp (@ 2100) water-cooled 4712cc 4-cylinder engine, which was down-rated to 62.3bhp for use in the 1931-35 6x4 T28. The T27 was one of the more popular Tatra trucks and was produced until 1941 when it was updated as the T27b, which continued production well into 1947.

a T27 and T27b

a T72

In 1933 commenced the introduction of the T25 and T72. The T25, a towing truck produced until 1934, was propelled by the engine used in the T24/63 and had a 4-ton carrying capacity. The T72 was a 6x4 off-road truck with all rear wheels suspended using half-axles and was powered by the same engine found in the T26/52 and with an 8 forward/2 reverse speed gearbox. Production of the T72 ceased in 1935. Lorraine-Dietrich of France also manufactured the T72 under license for a time. A modified T72 caravan was used, in the 1930s, to tour Australia and Japan where it really succeeded to prove itself as a very good vehicle for rough terrain and again demonstrated that air-cooling could be highly advantageous for operation in warm climates. More treks of Tatra trucks would follow.

the T72 caravan in Australia

Nineteen-thirty-five brought in the T82 and T84. The round nosed T82 was a 6x4 vehicle that utilized an air-cooled 2494cc 4-cylinder OHC of 54bhp (@ 3500rpm), 325 were produced until 1937. The 6x6 (all swing-axles) T84 was made only that year and had its engine, the same as found in the T23 and T29, unconventionally mounted behind the cabin.

the interesting T84 and T82


Return to Main TATRA Truck page