Zbrojovka Z 5 Express

The Zbrojovka Z 5 Express was a car produced by Československá Zbrojovka in the 1930s. A more luxurious follow-on to the Z 4, the car was produced as both a sedan and sports car. 357 were produced between 1936 and 1938, including one used by Carol II of Romania and another by Alois Eliáš, Prime Minister of the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia.

Design
In 1933, Zbrojovka tested a prototype four-cylinder car as a larger and more luxurious follow-on to the Z 4. The production car used a two stroke four cylinder 1470 cc engine with a bore of 90 mm and stroke of 77 mm. Power was transmitted to the rear wheels through a 3-speed manual gearbox. Drum brakes were fitted front and rear, and suspension was by lower wishbones and upper transverse leaf springs.

The car was produced in a number of body styles, including a two-door sedan which cost 37,500 Kčs and a two-seat sports car that cost over 50,000 Kčs. They shared a wheelbase of 2875 mm. The sedan had a length that measured 4400 mm, a width of 1450 mm and a height of 1560 mm. The kerb weight of the sedan was 1040 kg.

Performance
The Z 5 Express could reach a top speed of 120 kph and had a typical fuel consumption of between 11 and 13 L/100km.

Production
The car was announced in October 1935 at the Prague Motor Show and sales continued after the factory moved to military production from 1936, the last car being sold in 1938. 357 vehicles were manufactured.

Notable examples

 * Carol II of Romania used an example with a body designed by Plachý.
 * The National Technical Museum (Prague) has preserved the vehicle used by Alois Eliáš, Prime Minister of the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia.