Following Styria's comments in another thread, here is an update on the Tatra 603.
That is most definitely the Tatra, and yes, VW sounding V8 summarises it pretty well. Parts are not that hard to find, but the language problem is. Not too many Czech's or Slovakians speak English, so what I do is to search for Tatra sites, eBay type places and anything else, and send them an email asking if they speak English and can they help with parts. I have been successful that way and have recently sourced new brake drums, tie rod ends, and various other parts - at prices that would put Mercedes to shame !
My aim at this stage is to get it mechanically sorted, and with the parts I have sourced recently, that goal should be achieved on the next trip. Front and rear suspensions have been rebuilt and the brakes are part way done - front wheel cylinders stainless steel sleeved, new steel and flexible lines etc. . Not sure whether I will actually get it complianced next trip, but I will be trying for that so I can register it with special interest vehicle registration. I think the only compliance issue will be seat belts (which is mandatory in Queensland and for all seats, including a child restraint) as there is no rear parcel shelf as such. There is a gap of about 18" between the back of the rear seat and the parcel shelf, as this is a storage area, but would not be strong enough for a seat belt anchor. A small amount of welding is needed to rear jack supports etc. but fortunately, a lot of work was done in the UK when it got it's MOT there. Unfortunately, it was not all to a high standard, so must be re-done and/or repaired properly. I also have a new clutch plate and main seal to install, but to remove the engine is literally 6 bolts, so the engine can be removed in less than an hour. Replacing the main seal looks relatively easy on paper, and the clutch likewise. The half shaft pulls out so very easy to align the clutch and pressure plates when re-installing.
Because it is an unusual car, I expect the compliance, roadworthy and registration guys to be all over it, so it is in my interests to make everything look like it is new or has been refurbished, so to that end, anything that you can see underneath is either being replaced, repaired, or powder coated so that they have little reason to complain or reject it.
Removing the engine will also give me a good chance to clean up the greasy gearbox, and to look at the cable that runs to the gear shift. Being a column, and a reverse H pattern, correct adjustment is critical to being able to change gears, otherwise it is all but impossible - I know, I've tried !
All going well, it will be on the road in September, but I also have to finish the 300b brakes, as I had the brake booster rebuilt, and still need to bleed the brakes before I can get a roadworthy for it. I allowed the registration to lapse as I am also changing that over to special interest registration. Another job on the 300b is to replace the timing chain and valve guides. It has done 105,000 miles on the original parts, so it is about time I think, and recently got the Classic Centre to supply the necessary parts - except the chain tensioner, which I managed to get free of charge from Sleeping Beauties as they were changing a 300b or c motor over to a 300SL and these use a manual tensioner.
LIke any classics, there is no end to the amount of work required and as good as they might be, there is always something that you are never quite happy with !
That is most definitely the Tatra, and yes, VW sounding V8 summarises it pretty well. Parts are not that hard to find, but the language problem is. Not too many Czech's or Slovakians speak English, so what I do is to search for Tatra sites, eBay type places and anything else, and send them an email asking if they speak English and can they help with parts. I have been successful that way and have recently sourced new brake drums, tie rod ends, and various other parts - at prices that would put Mercedes to shame !
My aim at this stage is to get it mechanically sorted, and with the parts I have sourced recently, that goal should be achieved on the next trip. Front and rear suspensions have been rebuilt and the brakes are part way done - front wheel cylinders stainless steel sleeved, new steel and flexible lines etc. . Not sure whether I will actually get it complianced next trip, but I will be trying for that so I can register it with special interest vehicle registration. I think the only compliance issue will be seat belts (which is mandatory in Queensland and for all seats, including a child restraint) as there is no rear parcel shelf as such. There is a gap of about 18" between the back of the rear seat and the parcel shelf, as this is a storage area, but would not be strong enough for a seat belt anchor. A small amount of welding is needed to rear jack supports etc. but fortunately, a lot of work was done in the UK when it got it's MOT there. Unfortunately, it was not all to a high standard, so must be re-done and/or repaired properly. I also have a new clutch plate and main seal to install, but to remove the engine is literally 6 bolts, so the engine can be removed in less than an hour. Replacing the main seal looks relatively easy on paper, and the clutch likewise. The half shaft pulls out so very easy to align the clutch and pressure plates when re-installing.
Because it is an unusual car, I expect the compliance, roadworthy and registration guys to be all over it, so it is in my interests to make everything look like it is new or has been refurbished, so to that end, anything that you can see underneath is either being replaced, repaired, or powder coated so that they have little reason to complain or reject it.
Removing the engine will also give me a good chance to clean up the greasy gearbox, and to look at the cable that runs to the gear shift. Being a column, and a reverse H pattern, correct adjustment is critical to being able to change gears, otherwise it is all but impossible - I know, I've tried !
All going well, it will be on the road in September, but I also have to finish the 300b brakes, as I had the brake booster rebuilt, and still need to bleed the brakes before I can get a roadworthy for it. I allowed the registration to lapse as I am also changing that over to special interest registration. Another job on the 300b is to replace the timing chain and valve guides. It has done 105,000 miles on the original parts, so it is about time I think, and recently got the Classic Centre to supply the necessary parts - except the chain tensioner, which I managed to get free of charge from Sleeping Beauties as they were changing a 300b or c motor over to a 300SL and these use a manual tensioner.
LIke any classics, there is no end to the amount of work required and as good as they might be, there is always something that you are never quite happy with !
