Rare Car Archive

Makes › Tatra Czech Republic › 12 (1926-1933) · Rare production · 1926–1934

Tatra
12 (1926-1933)

Four-wheel-brake development of the T11, 7,525 built

Tatra 12 (1926-1933) (Wikimedia Commons search)
Tatra 12 (1926-1933) (Wikimedia Commons search)
Photo: Cimmerian praetor · CC BY-SA 3.0
?ProductionNot yet verified
0Chassis documentedin this archive
?SurvivingNot yet verified
Contents
  1. 01Overview
  2. 02Production & history
  3. 03Specifications
  4. 04Colours & options
  5. 05Individual cars
  6. 06Reference

01Overview

At a glance

Built
Not yet verified
Years
1926–1934
Engine
two-cylinder, opposed, air-cooled · 1,056 cc / 1.1 LFactory: 1,056 cc
Power
10.3 kW / 14 PSFactory: 14 PS
Top speed
70 km/hFactory: 70 km/h
Body
Not yet verified
Designer
Not yet verified
In this archive
Not yet verified
Surviving
Not yet verified

Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.

Why it matters

The Tatra 12 was the direct successor to the Tatra 11 and kept its backbone-frame layout and air-cooled two-cylinder engine. Its main visible change was drum brakes on the front axle, which the Tatra 11 did not have.

How rare is it?

Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.

Model rarityNot yet assessed Production figure not yet verified.
Specification rarityNot yet assessed
Colour rarityNot yet assessed
Individual rarityNot yet assessed
Historical rarityNot yet assessed
Survival rarityNot yet assessed

Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.

Photos

Exterior, interior and detail photos with their licences.

02Production & history

Production

Every figure says what it counts.

No production figures recorded yet.

History

The Tatra 11 was built from 1923 to 1926 and was the first of the backbone-frame cars. The Tatra 12 came in 1926 with the same concept. Its engine gained two horsepower, to 14, and its lubrication was improved so the engine no longer lost oil.

Bodies included phaeton, limousine, roadster and utility types. Some cars carried Waymann-type bodies, with wooden parts joined by steel straps and covered in artificial leather.

Production is given as 7,219 units from 1926 to 1934. The article says chassis survive in relatively large numbers, but many bodies are rebuilt or re-created.

Variants

How each version differs from the standard 12 (1926-1933).

No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.

03Specifications

Technical specifications

Engine

Engine familyNot yet verified
Engine codeNot yet verified
Layouttwo-cylinder, opposed, air-cooled1 Independently researchedQuoted from the Tatra 11 description of the same engine family; the Tatra 12 table gives two cylinders.
Cylinders21 Independently researched
Displacement 1,056 cc / 1.1 LFactory: 1,056 cc1 Independently researched
Bore 82 mmFactory: 82 mm1 Independently researched
Stroke 100 mmFactory: 100 mm1 Independently researched
Compression ratioNot yet verified
ValvetrainOHV1 Independently researched
Fuel systemZenith 26 ABC carburettor1 Independently researched
Power 10.3 kW / 14 PSFactory: 14 PS1 Independently researchedSource says koní (horses). Metric PS is used because the same page gives 12 koní = 8.8 kW for the Tatra 11.
Power at 2,800 rpm1 Independently researchedThe table gives 'otáčky' (revs) next to the power figure; read as power rpm.
TorqueNot yet verified

Transmission & drivetrain

GearboxNot yet verified
GearsNot yet verified
Driven wheelsNot yet verified

Chassis, body & dimensions

Chassiscentral backbone tube frame1 Independently researchedQuoted from the Tatra 11 description; the Tatra 12 inherits the layout.
Front suspensionNot yet verified
Rear suspensionNot yet verified
Brakesdrum brakes on front axle (added on the Tatra 12) and rear drum1 Independently researched
SteeringNot yet verified
Body constructionNot yet verified
Wheelbase 2,635 mmFactory: 2,635 mm1 Independently researched
Length 3,300 mmFactory: 3,300 mm1 Independently researched
Width 1,450 mmFactory: 1,450 mm1 Independently researched
Height 1,650 mmFactory: 1,650 mm1 Independently researched
Front track 1,200 mmFactory: 1,200 mm1 Independently researchedThe source gives one track figure without naming the axle.
Rear trackNot yet verified
Kerb weight 740 kgFactory: 740 kg1 Independently researchedprovozní hmotnost is operating weight as stated; not a dry weight.
Dry weightNot yet verified

Performance

Maximum speed 70 km/hFactory: 70 km/h1 Independently researchedSource gives 'up to 70 km/h'.
0–100 km/hNot yet verified
Fuel tank 32 LFactory: 32 L1 Independently researched

“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.

04Colours & options

Factory colours & interiors

Original paint and trim, with the number of cars in each where a source gives it.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Factory options & codes

Codes are shown exactly as written by the manufacturer.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

05Individual cars

Chassis register

Every documented car, with its colours, history and where it is now. Open a row for the full record. Known chassis are not automatically authenticated originals.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Competition history

Every race result of the individual cars, in date order. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Auction & sale history

Documented public sales of the individual cars. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

See one in person

Museums where an example of this car can be seen.

No example is documented on public display yet. Have a source? Contribute it.

06Reference

Identification guide

How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.

Being verified against factory or registry sources before it is published. Have a source? Contribute it.

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

  1. 1
    Tatra 11, 12, 13 (history article with Tatra 12 phaeton technical data) Level C Mgr. Tomáš Kunštátský · EuroOldtimers.com
    • Dva válce proti sobě, chlazené vzduchem.
    • počet válců: 2
    • obsah: 1056 ccm
    • vrtání: 82 mm
    • zdvih: 100 mm
    • motor: čtyřdobý OHV
    • karburátor: Zenith 26 ABC
    • výkon: 14 koní
    • otáčky: 2800
    • Základem vozu je páteřový nosný rám
    • zavedení bubnových brzd na přední nápravu
    • rozvor: 2635 mm
    • celková délka: 3300 mm
    • celková šířka: 1450 mm
    • celková výška: 1650 mm
    • rozchod: 1200 mm
    • provozní hmotnost: 740 kg
    • rychlost: do 70 km / hod
    • palivová nádrž: 32 litrů
    Accessed 2026-11-13

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