f you live in the seventies in Czechoslovakia, you have a plan what you want, but your own supercar can hardly stand. Yet it is not so foolish plans do not give up. Vyučíte the farm machinery repairman and in 1978 go to war. In his free time during the two years of service on the paper design the machine that you definitely resolve to stand.
Thus began the story of graphite, supersport, who designed and built by Ivan Labaška with technology Tatry, just as Julius had Kubinská his “Czech Ferrari” on behalf of Tatra JK 2500 . Words above only very briefly describe how the construction began. Sequel got the job as soon as compulsory military service ended. He continued drawing of individual parts and the small garage putting together a lattice tube frame completely custom designs as the basis of their dream car.
Later he managed to get older Tatra 613, albeit after considerable ups and downs – none other than the government of the car did not belong in the hands. He comes from the chassis and the first motor graphite. However, chassis parts were modified – again by hand. Concept is nevertheless maintained, the engine behind the rear axle, is air-cooled and its 167 horsepower to the rear wheels through a four-speed manual sends transmission.
Graphite body laminate was initially, but that was unique, the forms in which the laminate was formed. Author those machines were cast of concrete, enough unusual material for a mold.Originally, there were tipping headlights and rear completely different than we see in most photos. Lamborghini Countach reportedly the inspiration for the design was not at all – everything was formed from the eye, but also to ensure the best possible aerodynamics.
In parallel with work on building cars Ivan Labaška tried to leave the car also certify that could ride with him in normal operation. You can imagine how difficult it was in an atmosphere of normalization, although weakening. Graphite was physically completed in 1986 but for the purposes of certification had to change the rear portion to resemble the Tatra. When you turn a blind eye, the contours a little “šestsettřináctky” are actually seen.
However, the final consecration to operate on public roads got Graphite after the revolution in 1991. The author then rode with him as he wanted all the time, and even crashed a few times.The car was variously altered and, among other things gradually got carbon fiber bodywork, so that weighs 1.5 tons surely decreased by 50 kg. If you look in detail at some photographs of graphite burgundy paint, the structure of carbon is through a very thin layer of red color clearly visible.
The car later i got a new, fixed lights and drove for some time also with the front bumper in a different color. Compared to its original state has also pulled out fenders. Especially in the rear wheels were needed to expand the body, because there are 17 “wheels with tires of size 335/35 ZR17. In front it is a 275/45 ZR17. Actual dimensions at wheelbase 2500 mm and is 4400 mm in length, 2030 mm in width and 1100 mm in height. brakes on all wheels are four-piston calipers and suspension supplied Sporting HP Czech company, which manufactures racing chassis.
It was in the 90s was also the original engine from Tatra 613 commanded. So instead released a specially-ranking motor racing origins of Tatra 700 GT . It is the same base as the original unit of T613, but has a volume of 4.5 liters, exactly 4423 cm3 drilling stroke of 95.0 mm and 78.0 mm. Maximum output is 294 kW (400 hp) at 7500 rev. / Min, the torque has the highest value of 450 Nm at 6000 rpm. / Min. The aforementioned weight 1,450 kg no surprise impressive dynamics – acceleration value is unknown, a new five-speed gearbox with manual transmission but allows scoot individual gears 87, 149, 204, 269 and 341 km / h. The last digit, also said some sources suggest as maximum speed, but the author talks about the value of 325 km / h.
It makes the car the fastest Czech road machine of all time and we’re not sure whether in the foreseeable future can be overcome anything. Czech road for fastest machine is sometimes considered Tatra MTX V8 , but she did not go so quickly. We can be attributed to the Czech crown the fastest serial car as she Series production was very small, but if they are satisfied with a mere road homologation Graphite has no competition. A reported maximálce at a given power and aerodynamic bodywork certainly convenient to believe.
Nowadays, already with carbon and an extended body, more powerful engine and a new, bright red varnish Ivan Labaška his machine participate in various events, whether on the circuits or “only” meetings. The car has a technical certificate as the year of production recorded in 1991, although the rise began thirteen years before that. There is still reportedly owned by its creator. Up – or perhaps more if – this exceptional car ever you meet you before me have an absolute rarity on the one hand the number of existing pieces, but secondly also a story that stands behind it.
Original text:http://www.autoforum.cz/fascinace/tatra-grafit-je-s-325-km-h-nejrychlejsi-ceske-silnicni-auto/