This 1941 Tatra T87 is one of approximately 3,050 examples built between 1936 and 1950 and was delivered new in Prague, Czechoslovakia, on November 7, 1941. Following the conclusion of World War II, the car is said to have been left in Lithuania, where it was later discovered in a barn before undergoing a multiyear refurbishment by Eccola in Kopřivnice, Czechia, that was completed in 2024. Featuring streamlined bodywork finished in maroon, the car is powered by a rear-mounted 3.0L air-cooled V8 that features a magnesium alloy crankcase, finned cylinders, overhead camshafts, and hemispherical combustion chambers. Additional features include a dual-throat downdraft carburetor, a four-speed manual transaxle, four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes, four-wheel independent suspension with a swing-axle rear, body-color 16” wheels, a front-mounted oil cooler, and seating for six upholstered in brown leather. Purchased by its current owner one year ago, this T87 is now offered on dealer consignment in Germany with an Authenticity Confirmation certificate from the Tatra Technical Museum and Lithuanian registration that lists a first registration date of 1938.
Under the lead of chief engineer Hans Ledwinka, Tatra delved into the construction of streamlined luxury automobiles in the 1930s with input from fellow Tatra engineer Erich Übelacker and aerodynamics consultant and former dirigible designer Paul Jaray. The project resulted in the 1934 introduction of the T77, which was succeeded in 1936 by the lighter, more compact T87. Underpinned by unibody construction with a central beam that bifurcates at the rear, the T87’s bodywork reportedly registered a drag coefficient of 0.36. After a pause during the war, the model’s production continued until 1950 after the Tatra factory’s nationalization.
Styling incorporates an enveloped front end with triple headlights, a louvered front hood, a three-piece windshield, centrally hinged doors with recessed handles, a sliding sunroof, trafficators, rear wheel spats, and a tapered engine cover with a central fin flanked by louvers and air scoops. This example’s body was stripped to bare metal and refinished in maroon during the refurbishment that was completed by marque specialists Eccola in 2024.
Body-color wheels wear bright hubcaps and are wrapped in 6.50-16 European Classic tires, as is a matching spare housed in the front compartment. Stopping is handled by hydraulic drum brakes all around.
The cabin is trimmed in brown leather upholstery over seating that holds up to six passengers, and the front seats can be folded flat to meet the rear seat’s bottom cushion. Additional features include charcoal square-weave carpeting bound in brown, a beige headliner, roll-up windows, robe bars on each front seatback, a fold-down rear armrest, dual gloveboxes, and blue-tinted sun visors.
The banjo-spoke steering wheel sits ahead of a body-color dashboard housing a 190-km/h speedometer, a clock, and gauges monitoring fuel level and oil temperature. The five-digit odometer shows approximately 600 kilometers (~370 miles).
The 2,969cc air-cooled V8 incorporates a cast magnesium alloy crankcase with a 90° angle between cylinder banks, separate finned cylinders, a single overhead camshaft on each bank, hemispherical combustion chambers, and a dual-throat downdraft carburetor. An oil cooler is situated in the front compartment.
Engine number 221636 is shown stamped on the timing case above, matching the number listed on the Authenticity Confirmation certificate. Chassis number 50027 can also been seen above stamped on the timing case.
The car is registered under body number 8696624.
Power is sent to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual transaxle with synchromesh on its top two gears. Suspension incorporates dual transverse leaf springs up front and a rear swing axle with oblique semi-elliptical leaf springs. Hydraulic lever-arm shock absorbers are utilized at front and rear.
Images from the refurbishment can be viewed in the photo gallery below.
The Tatra Technical Museum Authenticity Confirmation certificate lists the chassis and engine numbers as well as original delivery to Prague.
The vehicle is being offered in Germany by the New Jersey-based selling dealer. It is being sold on its Lithuanian registration, which serves as an ownership document.
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