Zbrojovka Z 5 Express Explained

Zbrojovka Z 5 Express
Manufacturer:Československá Zbrojovka
Production:357
Model Years:1935-1937
Layout:Front-engine, front-wheel drive
Assembly:Czechoslovakia
Class:Mid-size
Body Style:sedan, convertible, roadster
Engine:29kW 1470cc I4
Transmission:3 speed manual
Wheelbase:28750NaN0
Length:44000NaN0 (sedan)
Width:14500NaN0 (sedan)
Height:15600NaN0 (sedan)
Weight:1040-1NaN-1
Sp:uk

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.

Design

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 1470cc engine with a bore of 90frac=2NaNfrac=2 and stroke of 770NaN0. 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 28750NaN0. The sedan had a length that measured 44000NaN0, a width of 14500NaN0 and a height of 15600NaN0. The kerb weight of the sedan was 1040-1NaN-1.[1]

Performance

The Z 5 Express could reach a top speed of 120kph and had a typical fuel consumption of between 11L/100km13L/100km.[2]

Production

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

Notes and References

  1. Automobily Z - Hurvínek a Express. Cars Z - Hurvínek and Express. 4 September 2008. Automobil. 31 December 2017. cs.
  2. Book: Tuček, Jan. Auta první republiky: 1918-1938. Cars of the First Republic: 1918-1938. 2017. Prague. Grada. 306–307. 978-8-02710-466-6. cs.
  3. Book: Šuman-Hreblay, Marián. Dvě století českých automobilů. Two Centuries of Czech Cars. Brno. CPress. 2022. 46. 978-8-02644-247-9. cs.
  4. Web site: Zdeněk. Patera. Z 5 Express, Československo 1936 (1935-1936). Z 5 Express, Czechoslovakia 1936 (1935-1936). https://web.archive.org/web/20171231103811/http://auta5p.eu/muzea/ntm_praha_2013/ntm_17.php. 31 December 2017.