IFA Horch H3A

Motor vehicle

1949 (prototypes)
1950–1957 (series production)

AssemblyEast Germany: ZwickauBody and chassisClass3 t lorryBody style

Long-bonnet lorry (conventional truck)
Special purpose vehicles
Tractor

LayoutFront engine, rear-wheel-drivePlatformIFA H3ARelated

IFA H6
IFA H3B

PowertrainEngineEM 4—20 (Diesel, 6024 cm³, 59 kW)TransmissionManual five-speed unsynchronised gearboxPropulsionTyresDimensionsWheelbase3250 mmLength6194 mmWidth2370 mmHeight2350 mmKerb weight3580 kgChronologyPredecessorIFA H3SuccessorIFA H3S

The IFA Horch H3A, later known as just the IFA H3A, is a 3 tonne lorry, made by East German manufacturer VEB HORCH Kraftfahrzeug- und Motorenwerke Zwickau. It was presented as a flatbed lorry at the Leipzig Trade Fair in early 1949, and officially offered for sale from mid 1950. The H3A tractor followed in 1951. In total, 180 IFA H3A chassis were used for manufacturing the IFA H3B bus in 1952 and 1953.^[1] The IFA H3S succeeded the H3A in 1957.^[2]

Technical description

The IFA H3A is a lorry (or tractor), based upon a conventional U-profile ladder frame. It has leaf sprung rigid front and rear axles, with the rear being a live axle. All wheels come with hydraulically operated drum brakes, and 7.5—20 inch tyres; the rear tyres are twin tyres. A dry double-disc clutch transmits the torque from the engine to an unsynchronised five-speed gearbox with reverse gear. The H3A is powered by an IFA EM 4—20 engine. This engine is a water-cooled, swirl chamber injected, straight-four diesel engine with a displacement of 6024 cm³, a rated power of 80 PS (58.8 kW), and a maximum torque of 31 kp⋅m (304.0 N⋅m). The IFA H3A can reach a top speed of 60 km/h.^[3]

References

^ Oswald, Werner (ed.): Kraftfahrzeuge der DDR, (2nd ed.), Motorbuch-Verlag, Stuttgart 2000, ISBN 3-613-01913-2, p. 176 (in German)
^ Oswald, Werner (ed.): Kraftfahrzeuge der DDR, (2nd ed.), Motorbuch-Verlag, Stuttgart 2000, ISBN 3-613-01913-2, p. 177 (in German)
^ Oswald, Werner (ed.): Kraftfahrzeuge der DDR, (2nd ed.), Motorbuch-Verlag, Stuttgart 2000, ISBN 3-613-01913-2, p. 180 (in German)