Praga Alfa 6 - Luxury Car of Czechoslovak Glitterati
The carmaker used this designation for one of its main luxury car series.
Its production began in 1913 and ended in 1942. An incredible total of 9,257 vehicles were made. The beginning of the legendary carmaker which almost conquered the world. The beginnings of the Praga brand date back to 1907. The make had a great scope of operations. During its existence it was engaged in the production of not only personal cars and trucks, buses, motorcycles, aircraft, but also agricultural or military equipment.
From the wide scale of vehicles made, some models became deeply engraved into the memory of car enthusiasts. They became luxurious crème de la crème of the production and nowadays are of great historical value. The Alfa models used their designation even before the First World War. Praga was then headquartered in Prague-Libeň.
Luxurious débutante
In September 1927 the six-cylinder Praga Alfa 6 made its début at Prague car salon; it featured water-cooled in-line side-valve six-cylinder engine with a capacity of 1,496 cm3. It was the so-called thirteenth series of Alpha vehicles where each new range boasted significant improvements. As a completely new concept of the drive unit, the car for the first time ever used a six-cylinder engine; up to then there only were four-cylinder ones. It was the smallest 6-cylinder engine produced in Czechoslovakia at that time. Another novelty was also a detachable cylinder head of the combustion chamber of Ricardo type. The engine was fitted with two carburettors Zenith 26HAK.
What is this luxury car based on?
The entire mechanical system was supplemented by a Praga patent. It was a piston and spool valve located in the engine using motor oil pressure. This was connected to the brake system, increasing the effect of the pedal. 3,000 luxury Alfa 6 were produced between 1927-1929. Alpha reached a maximum speed of 80 km/h and the consumption of the vehicle was 12 litres per 100 kilometres. This car was also made in 4-door phaeton or two-seater coupé versions.
This vehicle excelled through its unmistakable elegant design in the spirit of its time. Many young gentlemen won the heart of a charming lady by a ride in this luxurious machine.
