1930s Jawa Racing Cars: The Origins of a Czech Motorsport Icon”

Vintage Valor - Jawa is best remembered for its iconic motorcycles, from the distinctive Jawa Nanuk to the elegant Jawa Cezeta and the legendary Jawa Perak—classic machines that, while vintage today, continue to fascinate motorcycle enthusiasts. These two-wheeled marvels are celebrated for their design, reliability, and timeless charm—but few know that Jawa’s story extends far beyond motorcycles. Decades before the era of modern electric and retro-inspired bikes, the Czech company also ventured into automobiles, even producing race-ready cars in the 1930s. This lesser-known chapter reveals a daring side of Jawa, where engineering creativity met the excitement and challenge of motorsport.

This is Jawa 750 race car, the first Czechoslovakia and Czech made race car was specially built to take part in the 1000 miles of Czechoslovakia in 1935. (Picture from: Evolution.skf.com)

The roots of this remarkable chapter trace back to Ing. František Janeček, who began his career crafting military equipment. By 1927, Janeček’s ambitions shifted toward civilian transportation, acquiring the Wanderer motorcycle brand from Germany. From this union, the iconic Jawa name emerged, a clever blend of “JAneček” and “WAnderer.” Initially, the company focused on motorcycles, quickly establishing a reputation for durable, innovative two-wheelers, yet the spark for automobile experimentation was already kindling.

The first Jawa small passenger car called Jawa 700 built in the 1934 under license of DKW Meisterklasse. (Picture from: Nodum.org)

By the late 1920s, Jawa had secured a license to produce Wanderer 500 OHV motorcycles under their own branding. The success of these early motorcycles set the stage for broader ambitions. In 1933, the company obtained a license for the DKW Meisterklasse car, a move that would pave the way for Jawa’s first small passenger vehicle, the Jawa 700, which debuted in 1934. While motorcycles remained the backbone of the brand, these cars marked Jawa’s entry into the competitive automotive arena.

Here they are 6 units of the 750 Jawa race cars (3 coupes and roadsters) while in posed shortly after those cars completed to build in front of the factory in Prague in 1935. (Picture from: Auto-Zine.com)

Among these early ventures, the Jawa 750 race car stood out as a symbol of daring innovation. Specifically designed for competition, the Jawa 750 represented the peak of pre-war Czechoslovak engineering. Its debut was tied to the 1000 Miles of Czechoslovakia endurance race in 1935, a grueling 1,600 km challenge that spanned Prague, Cologne, Jihlava, Brno, Bratislava, and back. The race demanded not just speed but reliability and stamina—a true test for any machine of the era.

One of the Jawa 750 roadsters while on action at the 1000 miles Czechoslovakia racing event in 1935. (Picture from: Auto-Zine.com)

The design of the Jawa 750 reflected a keen understanding of aerodynamics and weight efficiency. Compact at just 3,650 mm in length, the car’s body was crafted from metal sheets over a wooden frame, giving it a sleek, almost Bugatti-like silhouette. Minimalist features, such as a single windshield wiper and the absence of mirrors or door handles, highlighted the priority of speed and performance over comfort. The coupe version weighed 705 kg, with the roadster slightly lighter, emphasizing the importance of a low mass in competitive racing.

The Jawa 750 coupe version sat on display at the Národní Technické Muzeum (National Technical Museum) in Prague, Czech Republic since after its restoration completed in the 2005. (Picture from: Nodum.org)

Under the hood, the Jawa 750 carried a modest 750 cc two-cylinder, two-stroke, water-cooled engine, producing 26 bhp. This engine drove the front wheels through a three-speed manual transmission, allowing the car to reach top speeds of 120 km/h, while maintaining an impressive average of 83.7 km/h during races. Though these numbers may seem modest today, they were remarkable for a small racing vehicle of its time, especially one engineered by a company whose primary expertise was motorcycles.

The Jawa 750 race car body is made of sheet of metal, formed around a wooden frame and its aerodynamic shape is pleasing to the eye and at glance looks similar to the Bugatti. (Picture from: Nodum.org)

Jawa’s racing ambition was rewarded spectacularly. In the 1935 1000 Miles of Czechoslovakia, the Jawa 750 not only triumphed in its class but dominated the podium entirely, earning the prestigious President’s award for team performance. This achievement reflected both the precision of Jawa’s engineering and the skill of its drivers, cementing the car’s status in Czechoslovak motorsport history. Sadly, global economic and political upheavals soon led to the discontinuation of the race, preventing Jawa from defending its title in subsequent years.

The Jawa 750 coupe has a weighs only 705 kg while the roadster version is 5 kg lighter. (Picture from: Evolution.skf.com)

Despite this setback, the legacy of the Jawa 750 endured. While many of these historic race cars succumbed to time, rust, or neglect, a few survived. One notable example found a permanent home at the National Technical Museum in Prague in 1992. Carefully restored in 2005 to celebrate the 70th anniversary of its original triumph, this car now stands as a tangible reminder of Jawa’s brief but brilliant foray into automotive racing.😌

The story of Jawa’s 1930s cars is more than a footnote in history; it is a testament to innovation, ambition, and the spirit of competition. These vehicles embodied the ingenuity of a motorcycle manufacturer daring to challenge conventional automotive norms, producing designs that were not only technically impressive but visually striking. Decades later, the Jawa 750 continues to fascinate enthusiasts, offering a glimpse into a time when Czech engineering raced boldly across European roads, leaving an enduring mark that is still celebrated today. *** [EKA [24032021] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | NTM.CZ | AUTO-ZINE.COM | EVOLUTON.SKF.COM | NODUM.ORG ]

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