AutoCult Bata AutoKar Sodomka (1937) (Czechoslovakia)

About the original

Mobile Working

The new Edition 2023 is a different kind of book – it is THE book for the automotive enthusiast who wants to learn more about the stories of long forgotten automobiles, brands and other developments. Whether rare, fast or strange – many interesting stories in conjunction with precise historical accuracy, flanged by many historical photographs and illustrations of autocult models produced in 2023, make this book (as well as all future editions) a reading experience for those interested in automotive history. Since time does not “stand still” and we also want to make a small contribution to a “greener world”, we decided not to print the book in a certain number of copies as in the years before. Instead we decided to enclose our autocult-edition 2023 in digitally on an USB-Stick to our ‘Model of the Year’.

Jan Antonín Bata was the patriarch of the shoe empire of the same name and wanted to make good use of every available time in some way. He wished to be able to actively use his business trips and a mobile office soon crystallized in his ideas. He and Josef Sodomka jr. around 1935/36 agreed to realize such a vehicle.

The owner of the Czechoslovak coachbuilder with a first-class reputation completely stripped a BB truck from Ford’s US production and created a completely new body.

Inside, the purpose as a travel, work and conference vehicle became clear due to its layout, because there were permanently installed desks with integrated, fold-out typewriters. So-called travel chairs invited people to read or discuss, and when it got late in the evening, the entire interior could also be converted into a sleeping compartment. A couch and various built-in wardrobes were also available.

In terms of external appearance, the Sodomka company fitted the mobile office into an aerodynamically sophisticated body. The rounded sloping rear corresponded just as much to the modern zeitgeist as the covered rear wheels or the characteristics of a very minimal bonnet.

Nothing is known about the use of his personal van, but in the course of the confiscation of the vehicles it may have made his way to the front with the outbreak of the Second World War. The trail was lost and it was most likely destroyed.

Jan Antonín Bata emigrated in June 1939 and died in Brazil in 1965 at the age of 67.