The Praga Super Piccolo ‘Vorvaň’: A Bold Aerodynamic Pioneer of the 1930s

Aerodynamic Rarity - There is something universally captivating about machines that dared to imagine the future long before society caught up. Long before wind-tunnel simulations became a standard step in automotive development, a handful of designers were already trying to bend the air to their will. Their experiments often resulted in shapes that looked eccentric by today’s norms yet courageous for their time. One such bold creation emerged from Czechoslovakia in the mid-1930s: the Praga Super Piccolo “Vorvaň,” a car that stood out not because it was loud or extravagant, but because it quietly reshaped what a mid-range vehicle could be. 

The 1934 Praga Super Piccolo ‘Vorvaň,’ a car that stood out not because it was loud or extravagant, but because it quietly reshaped what a mid-range vehicle could be. (Picture from: RollingArt in Facebook)

Praga, already known for building reliable everyday cars, unveiled the Super Piccolo at the Prague Motor Show in 1934. It was intended to bridge a gap between the compact Piccolo and the larger Alfa, targeting drivers who wanted something practical but not imposing. At first glance, the car followed a fairly standard sedan formula—front engine, rear-wheel drive, four doors—and yet it carried ambitions far beyond convention. The second series of the model introduced an aerodynamic body style that would earn it the nickname “Vorvaň,” a nod to its rounded, almost whale-like profile. Only a minority of the vehicles received this pontoon-shaped exterior, and an even smaller number were built with all four wheels fully enclosed. For the 1930s, that level of aerodynamic experimentation was nothing short of audacious. 

The 1934 Praga Super Piccolo ‘Vorvaň’ featured smooth, flowing surfaces that made it feel less like a conventional sedan and more like a forward-looking industrial design experiment. (Picture from: RollingArt in Facebook)

Praga equipped the car with a liquid-cooled 1,661 cc inline-four engine using side-valve timing and a Zenith carburetor, producing a modest 35 horsepower at 3,200 rpm. It wasn’t built for speed records, but for its purpose—efficient, everyday mobility—it was well judged. The company reported fuel consumption figures between 11 and 13 liters per 100 kilometers, respectable for its era. Depending on the confiaaaaaaguration, the Super Piccolo could reach between 100 and 110 km/h. The chassis and suspension differed slightly across versions: some retained a traditional solid front axle with leaf springs, while others benefited from a newer setup with double wishbones and coil springs. Drum brakes completed the mechanical package, keeping the design grounded in the realities of 1930s engineering. 

The 1934 Praga Super Piccolo ‘Vorvaň’ emerged in its second series with a bold aerodynamic body, of which only a small number featured the pontoon-style form and even fewer had all four wheels fully enclosed. (Picture from: Thingies in Facebook)

Size-wise, the car offered genuine practicality. With an overall length of 4.65 meters and a wheelbase of 2.7 meters, it provided enough cabin space for four or five occupants depending on the variant. The interior was not lavish, but it delivered what drivers of the time valued most—functionality and comfort. Visibility, seating position, and cabin layout reflected Praga’s reputation for sensible design rather than extravagance. The aerodynamic versions, however, altered the character of the car completely. Their smooth, flowing surface made the Super Piccolo look like a forward-thinking experiment lifted from an industrial design sketchbook. It wasn’t simply another sedan; it was a statement about where automotive styling might go. 

The 1934 Praga Super Piccolo ‘Vorvaň’ offered genuine practicality, measuring 4.65 meters in length with a 2.7-meter wheelbase. (Picture from: RollingArt in Facebook)

The “Vorvaň” versions, produced only in tiny numbers, have since gained near-mythical status. Contemporary accounts suggest that fewer than ten survived into modern times, with one owner in the Czech Republic reporting seven known domestically and one abroad. Even more unusual are the fully aerodynamic limousines—possibly only two or three remain today in unrestored condition. One documented unit, carrying serial number 40 346, was delivered on June 18, 1935, to a customer named Josef Novák from the town of Louny. It resurfaced decades later in museum exhibitions under the care of Automuzeum Praga in Zbuzany, offering modern viewers a rare opportunity to stand before one of the brand’s most distinctive creations. 

The 1934 Praga Super Piccolo ‘Vorvaň’ powered by a liquid-cooled 1,661 cc inline-four engine using side-valve timing and a Zenith carburetor, producing a modest 35 horsepower at 3,200 rpm. (Picture from: RollingArt in Facebook)

Although the Super Piccolo was produced only from 1934 to 1936, with total output across all variants reaching 640 units, its historical value reaches far beyond production numbers. At a time when European automakers were still experimenting hesitantly with aerodynamics, Praga committed to a body shape that looked radical for an affordable mid-range car. It reflected a period in which designers were starting to recognize that form and airflow could reshape efficiency, stability, and even identity. The Super Piccolo “Vorvaň” was an early sign that everyday cars could adopt futuristic design philosophies without losing their practicality. | cnqbvgFG5NU |

Today, encountering one of these cars—whether in a museum or in the rare photographs that surface from exhibitions—feels a bit like time travel. The flowing contours, the covered wheels, the surprisingly restrained mechanics beneath the shell all tell the story of a manufacturer that wasn’t afraid to explore beyond the predictable. In a modern world overflowing with wind-tunnel-shaped vehicles, the “Vorvaň” stands as a quiet reminder that innovation often begins with small, bold steps, taken by those willing to imagine something different when no one asked them to. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | PRAGAGLOBAL | AUTA5P.EU | FORUMS.FORZA.NET | ROLLING ART IN FACEBOOK | WORLD CARS FROM THE 1930S TO 1980S IN FACEBOOK | THINGIES IN FACEBOOK | THOMAS T IN FLICKR | QUIRKYRIDES IN X ]

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