Praga S5T S3 “Tuning design” 1969 -1972 - Photo documentation of model production - prototypes
The Praga S5T is a medium tonnage truck that began production in 1956 in Czechoslovakia as a road version of the popular Praga V3S. They are really very similar vehicles in construction. The biggest differences can be found on the chassis. The two S5T axles do not have axle gearboxes, as has the additional gearbox with fast gears and, unlike the V3S, the S5T only drives the rear axle. There are also slight differences in the cab, the size of the wheels and gears are different, which contributed to the reduction of consumption and made it possible to increase the maximum speed to 78 km / h.
With the Prague V3S, the S5T also has an air-cooled four-stroke in-line 6-cylinder Tatra 912-1 diesel engine (later 912-2 and 912-3) with a displacement of 7,412 cm³ with direct fuel injection and OHV valve train. It is practically half of a twelve-cylinder fork from the Tatra 111, which was widely used - for example, to drive Tatra M131 motor railway wagons, small airport tractors and winches, or military motor boats. Engine power is 98, resp. 110 hp at 2100 rpm. The fuel tank has a volume of 120 liters.
The vehicle is equipped with pneumatic drum brakes. The parking brake acts on the rear wheels with a drawbar. The exhaust valve brake is an auxiliary, relieving. Praga S5T was manufactured as a flatbed, tipper and tractor semi-trailer (S5T-2-TN), several superstructures were assembled - cabinets for various purposes, high-lift platforms, fire ladders, tanks, sweeping equipment, etc.
Between 1957 and 1974, 50,000 Praga S5Ts were produced, including improved modifications to the second and third series.
Our model is a replica of a real refurbished version of the Praga S5T S3 manufactured between 1969 and 1972. The S3 designation means that it is a three-sided tipper. The vehicle has been preserved thanks to the great enthusiast Václav Hála from Luže near Chrudim. His passion is well known among collectors of real veterans. Only the construction of the assembly hall took three years, where he subsequently renovated his Prague step by step. He managed to get this now quite rare veteran in Slovakia, even in a mobile condition, so he made his way home straight on his "new" truck. Even without ever driving a Prague S5T before.
Even though the vehicle is almost completely renovated today, Václav still devotes himself to it with the same dedication and passion. It looks for small details and adjusts them according to period documents and photographs.
It is necessary to add that this passionate fan of the Praga brand does not keep his enthusiasm only for himself. He regularly takes part in events for children with cars, gatherings of veterans and even takes wedding guests. In this way, too, it helps maintain the former glory of the Praga brand.
1. Prototyp
3. Prototyp
Final model
Real vehicle
