Page "Tatra (company)" Paragraph 22

Both Hitler and Porsche were influenced by the Tatras.

Hitler was a keen automotive enthusiast, and had ridden in Tatras during political tours of Czechoslovakia.

He had also dined numerous times with Ledwinka.

After one of these dinners Hitler remarked to Porsche, " This is the car for my roads ".

From 1933 onwards, Ledwinka and Porsche met regularly to discuss their designs, and Porsche admitted " Well, sometimes I looked over his shoulder and sometimes he looked over mine " while designing the Volkswagen.

There is no doubt that the Beetle bore a striking resemblance to the Tatras, particularly the Tatra V570.

The Tatra T97 of 1936 had a rear-located, rear-wheel drive, air-cooled four-cylinder boxer engine accommodating four passengers and providing luggage storage under the front bonnet and behind the rear seat.

Among other similarities also found in the Beetle is the central structural tunnel.