The Zbrojovka Z 5 Express was a car produced by Československá Zbrojovka in the 1930s. A more luxurious follow-on to the Z 4, the car was produced as both a sedan and sports car. 357 were produced between 1936 and 1938, including one used by Carol II of Romania and another by Alois Eliáš, Prime Minister of the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia.
| Zbrojovka Z 5 Express | |
|---|---|
 1936 Zbrojovka Z 5 Express | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Československá Zbrojovka |
| Production | 357 |
| Model years | 1935-1937 |
| Assembly | Czechoslovakia |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Mid-size |
| Body style | sedan, convertible, roadster |
| Layout | Front-engine, front-wheel drive |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 29 kW (39 hp) 1,470 cc (90 in3) I4 |
| Transmission | 3 speed manual |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,875 mm (113 in) |
| Length | 4,400 mm (173 in) (sedan) |
| Width | 1,450 mm (57 in) (sedan) |
| Height | 1,560 mm (61 in) (sedan) |
| Kerb weight | 1,040 kg (2,290 lb) |
Design edit
In 1933, Zbrojovka tested a prototype four-cylinder car as a larger and more luxurious follow-on to the Z 4.[1] The production car used a two stroke four cylinder 1,470 cc (90 in3) engine with a bore of 90 mm (3+1⁄2 in) and stroke of 77 mm (3 in). Power was transmitted to the rear wheels through a 3-speed manual gearbox.[2] Drum brakes were fitted front and rear, and suspension was by lower wishbones and upper transverse leaf springs.[1]
The car was produced in a number of body styles, including a two-door sedan which cost 37,500 Kčs and a two-seat sports car that cost over 50,000 Kčs. They shared a wheelbase of 2,875 mm (113 in). The sedan had a length that measured 4,400 mm (173 in), a width of 1,450 mm (57 in) and a height of 1,560 mm (61 in). The kerb weight of the sedan was 1,040 kg (2,290 lb).[1]
Performance edit
The Z 5 Express could reach a top speed of 120 km/h (75 mph) and had a typical fuel consumption of between 11 and 13 L/100 km (26 and 22 mpg‑imp; 21 and 18 mpg‑US).[2]
Production edit
The car was announced in October 1935 at the Prague Motor Show and sales continued after the factory moved to military production from 1936, the last car being sold in 1938.[3] 357 vehicles were manufactured.[4]
Notable examples edit
- Carol II of Romania used an example with a body designed by Plachý.[1]
- The National Technical Museum (Prague) has preserved the vehicle used by Alois Eliáš, Prime Minister of the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia.[4]
References edit
- ^ a b c d "Automobily Z - Hurvínek a Express" [Cars Z - Hurvínek and Express]. Automobil (in Czech). 4 September 2008. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
- ^ a b Tuček, Jan (2017). Auta první republiky: 1918-1938 [Cars of the First Republic: 1918-1938] (in Czech). Prague: Grada. pp. 306–307. ISBN 978-8-02710-466-6.
- ^ Šuman-Hreblay, Marián (2022). Dvě století českých automobilů [Two Centuries of Czech Cars] (in Czech). Brno: CPress. p. 46. ISBN 978-8-02644-247-9.
- ^ a b Patera, Zdeněk. "Z 5 Express, Československo 1936 (1935-1936)" [Z 5 Express, Czechoslovakia 1936 (1935-1936)]. Archived from the original on 31 December 2017.