About tough to crack puzzle #161: 1949 Tatra 602 Sport

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The name of last week’s puzzle car gave some room for discussion. We knew it as the Tatra 602 Sport, but we saw some variations on that name. Some of you called it the Tatra 602 Tatraplan Sport, which we think is just right, while we also saw Tatra T602, with the ‘T’ for ‘Type’ as frequently used by Bugatti-afficionados. We can live with that, too. But John Elema named it the Tatraplan Monte Carlo, which we think is not quite right. Wasn’t the Monte Carlo designation meant for the 601 or 603 that were actually rallied by a Czech works team?

Anyway: the 602 is a fascinating car, with just two built for racing in 1949. Most of you mentioned Bruno Sojka as its driver and most of you mentioned his tragic death behind the wheel of one of the two 602s. You are getting to know us, hungry for details! From your answers: “Sojka was killed in the training of the 1951 Ecce Homo hillclimb, probably because a large bird collided with his head.” And there were more good details: “A 602 replica was built by actor Vaclav Kral, using some original parts.” or “Designer Mike Jelinek who was asked by Czech motor magazine 'Auto Design & Styling' to visualize his ideas for a future Tatra model, brought to light in 2008 the 903 Concept.” Excellent.

Our favourite was Jeffrey Vogel’s reply, giving an insight in the mystery and intrigue surrounded to it: “While the origins of the T600 were in Han's Ledwinka designs prewar, by 1946 he was imprisoned for Nazi collaboration. He having met with Hitler (both being of ‘Bohemian’ origin) several times, Ledwinka's ideas on air cooling are the inspiration for the KdF wagon, so the postwar T602 might be considered the cousin of the 550 Porsche spyder…” That’s the spirit Jeffrey!

However… just two of you pointed out the right man on our picture, which we did ask you about: Julius Mackerle (seen here together with Sojka). Hans Müßeler was one of them, well done Hans! But best has to go to Fried Stol once more. He named both the car and the driver and added some pretty dry but good facts, too. His full answer: “Tatra T602 based upon the Tatra T600 a two passenger sportscar made in 1949 and was driven by Bruno Sojka in the Brno Czech Grand Prix that year. Behind the wheel however is Julius Mackerle head of a group of engineers who called themselfs the Josef Svoboda group. The engine was placed ahead of the rear-axle. Sodomka did the lightweight body. 1951cc 4 cyl units were used and tuning resulted in an output of 75 or 84 hp instead of the usual 50. One T602 was equipped with a 8 cylinder unit from the Tatra 603.” Congratulations.

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