The 1931 Wikov 35 Kapka: A Glimpse into Early Streamlined Automotive Design

Weird ONES - Curiosity immediately sparked when we first encountered the unique classic vehicle from the 1930s, reputed to be the first streamlined car produced by a manufacturer from Czechoslovakia. This intriguing vehicle is the 1931 Wikov 35 Kapka, an experimental car with only six units ever produced by Wichterle & Kovářik (WiKov), a Czechoslovakian agricultural machinery factory in Prostějov. WiKov was active in producing agricultural machines, cars and trucks from 1925 to 1937, marking a notable chapter in automotive history.

The Wikov 35 Kapka, the first Czech streamlined car (c.1931). (Picture from: 亗 Dr. Emporio Efikz 亗)

The Wikov 35 Kapka originated from the Type 35, which saw a production of 150 units between 1930 and 1935. This model was powered by a 1,743 cc four-cylinder engine capable of producing around 35 hp. It was available in various body styles, including a four-seat phaeton, four- or six-seat limousine, open touring, cabriolet, or landaulet, showcasing the versatility of its design.

The first aerodynamic Wikov 35, nicknamed Kapka, was introduced in 1931 as the automaker's experiment in streamlined design, featuring an aerodynamic body. (Picture from: Wikipedia)

The story of the Wikov 35 Kapka begins in 1931 when WiKov experimented with streamlined styling by installing an aerodynamic body on the Wikov 35 chassis. Despite plans for mass production, several setbacks prevented this from happening. Although the design was well-received by the press, the public was not ready to embrace it. Moreover, the production costs were high, and the performance and fuel consumption were suboptimal. As a result, only six examples were made.

The Kapka originated from the Wikov 35, which saw a production of 150 units between 1930 and 1935. (Picture from: Wikipedia)

True to its name, Kapka (which means 'drop' in English), the car's exterior resembles a teardrop, featuring a unique, streamlined shape. The avant-garde styled car was based on the standard Wikov 35 chassis, with a rectangular frame, rigid axles suspended by longitudinal semi-elliptic leaf springs, oil shock absorbers, drum brakes with Lockheed liquid control, and worm steering with a left-hand steering wheel.

The load-bearing element of the Kapka's body was a rather complex and heavy wooden frame. (Picture from: AutomobilRevue.cz)

The car was driven by a four-cylinder OHC 1742 cm3 engine connected to a three-speed gearbox. The fuel tank, with a capacity of 40 liters, was positioned in front of the engine compartment's dividing wall. Fuel was supplied to the carburetor by a downspout, accommodating the mandatory spirit-gasoline mixture introduced in the fall of 1932.

The Wikov 35 Kapka during the Moravia Reliability Competition in mid-April 1932. (Picture from: AutomobilRevue.cz)

The four-seater, two-door body of the Wikov 35 Kapka featured aerodynamic shapes with a bow reminiscent of a torpedo or an artillery shell. It had a wooden frame supporting hand-made sheet steel surface parts. The first car, exhibited in October 1931 in Prague, had headlights embedded in the round, elongated front fenders, while the rear fenders, complete with side wheel covers, smoothly transitioned into the rounded line of the extended rear. A ridge ran from the front windows through the center of the roof to the stern, ending in a vertical "fin" at the lower back, which was more aesthetic than practical.

A drawing from a prospectus showing the flow of air around the car's bodywork (1931). (Picture from: AutomobilRevue.cz)

The doors were hinged at the back, and the thresholds under the doors had rounded indentations for the toes, soon supplemented with tubular footboards. Behind the rear seat was a compartment accessible only from the inside, where a pair of spare wheels were stored below, with luggage space above. The aerodynamic Wikov 35, with a three-meter wheelbase and a wheel track of 1.28 meters front and rear, measured 4.90 meters in length, 1.55 meters in width, and 1.60 meters in height. Its weight exceeded 1400 kg, allowing it to reach speeds over 100 km/h, although it was not more economical than the standard closed car.

The elongated rear of the aerodynamic Wikov 35 Kapka car was decorated with a "fin" and oval windows. (Picture from: AutomobilRevue.cz)

The first Wikov 35 Kapka attracted significant attention not only at the Prague Motor Show in October 1931 but also in mid-April 1932, when factory drivers Adolf Szczyzycki and Jaroslav Konečník successfully completed the two-day, 793 km Moravia Reliability Competition.

The second Wikov 35 Kapka posed along with Mrs. Anastasia Neherová, wife of a large-scale clothing company owner in the spring of 1932. (Picture from: AutomobilRevue.cz)

In the spring of 1932, the second Kapka hit the road, allegedly bought by Jan Nehera, a large manufacturer of ready-to-wear clothes from Prostejov, for his wife Anastasia. This car differed from the first in the shape of the front fenders, with headlights protruding slightly forward. A picture of this second car and Mrs. Neherová was published in mid-June 1932 by the Brno Salon magazine. However, some sources suggest that the Neheras only borrowed the aerodynamic car from the factory for promotion in higher social circles.

The fourth Wikov 35 Kapka car without rear wheel covers in a picture from 1932. (Picture from: AutomobilRevue.cz)

In June 1933, the Wikov aerodynamic car participated in the first year of the Czechoslovak 1000-mile race. Driven by Jaroslav Konečník and Jan Hamal, the car had to drop out three-quarters through the race due to an overheating engine. This fifth Kapka was partially new, as the factory reused the bodywork of the first example from 1931 but mounted it on a chassis of the new Wikov 40, with a 1,941 cc engine producing around 40 hp (29 kW). This car, like other "forty-five" models, had five screws on the wheels, unlike the original aerodynamic "thirty-five," which had only four.

The Wikov 35 Kapka, the first Czech streamlined car (c.1931). (Picture from: 亗 Dr. Emporio Efikz 亗)

Interestingly, in the 1933 season, the car manufacturer offered the aerodynamic Wikov 35 in a German-written prospectus for a whopping 80,000 CZK, while the most expensive six-seater limousines and luxury convertibles of the same type cost just under 70,000 CZK.

The Wikov 35 Kapka stands as a testament to innovation and the daring spirit of automotive design in the early 20th century. Its streamlined body and unique design elements make it a fascinating piece of automotive history, reflecting the ambition and creativity of its creators. Although it never achieved mass production or widespread acceptance, its legacy lives on as a symbol of a bygone era's ingenuity and style. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | AUTOMOBILREVUE.CZ | WIKIPEDIA | 亗 DR. EMPERIO EFIKZ 亗 | ]

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